Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, August 26, 2022

Suzanne Fonseca Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - August 21

(© Jim Pritchard)
Suzanne Fonseca (trombone); Jim Faulkner (guitar); Gavin Barras (bass); Danny Ward (drums).

This was the second time I have seen Suzanne's quartet with a guitar in the line up and who better to fill this role than Jim Faulkner? Jim's a musician whose sound and playing style is ideal for this band. 

The opening number, In A Mellotone, is a good tune to start with and a relaxed mood was established. It was good to see Danny Ward on drums and his brush work was just what was required. By the end of the number the room had filled up and, as well as the regular Sunday night jazz fans, there were a few new faces which is always good to see.

Looking through my notes I see that the majority  of the tunes played were well known standards but there were also three bossa novas included.  I know next to nothing about the trombone but Suzanne makes playing it look so easy although I bet it is anything but!  She gets a great warm sound on the instrument and if you ever get the chance to see her you will not be disappointed. Gavin Barras on bass, who those in the north-east will know from his frequent visits to the area, did, as always,  a great job tonight.


The next jazz night at the Railway will be on Aug. 28 with Robin Sunflower.
Mike Farmer

 

In a Mellotone; Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; Só Danço Samba; Like Someone in Love; Zingaro; 'S Wonderful’; Bags' Groove; All the Things You Are; Caravan; Triste; Darn That Dream; Have You Met Miss Jones?; Gone With the Wind; Bésame Mucho.

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