Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Friday, September 30, 2022

Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2022 CZAJKA & PUCHACZ + Mark Solbgorg + Anthropology @ The Newcastle Literary & Philosophical Society - Sept. 29

(© Ken Drew)
Having previewed in Jesmond  last weekend it was now time for the festival to return  to its spiritual home - The Newcastle Literary & Philosophical Society on Westgate Road. A triple bill ranging from quirky improvised modern installation art work through solo guitar and culminating with an anarchic dystopian octet. 

At the start of Czajka and Puchacz’s  set (pictured above) I was a little apprehensive after a hyper minimal  intro. However,  my concerns were soon assuaged as the duo created an absolutely wonderful piece of performance art. A smorgasbord of delicious sounds were conjured up with the range of electronic effects quite mesmerising. Gasiorek's vocals were  varied using a vocoder at one point and chanting at others. Draksler's piano playing was superb but her use of electronic and percussive embellishments  brought the already tasty canvas even further to life.

(© Ken Drew)
Mark Solborg (Guitar). 

The mid session set was a delightful solo guitar recital by Mark Solborg. Using loops to great effect, Solborg produced a multi-layered performance which created a very relaxing and comfortable space for the audience to soak up.

AnthropologyMartin Archer (sax, electronics); Charlotte Keefe (trumpet, flugel); Pat Thomas (keys, electronics); Orphy Robinson (xylosynth); Chris Sharkey (guitar, electronics); Dave Stuart (bass); Peter Fairclough (drums)


(© Ken Drew)
From the cool to the cacophonous as Martin Archer’s Anthropology took to the stage. An eight piece thunderstorm of a band where you had to play out of your skin in order to be seen. Archer always animated directing proceedings like a New York traffic cop. The music although loud and proud had a distinct cinematic feel to it - the sort of film it might be the soundtrack for was unlikely to be of the quiet reflective variety.
 

A good time seemed to be being had by all both on stage and in the auditorium. Each soloist managed to rise about the maelstrom to give as good as they got. On the final section, Chris Sharkey seemed to attack his PA then the monitor of Charlotte Keefe before rolling into the front row guitar still in hand - the rest of the band didn’t bat an eyelid although I was thankful my glass of beer avoided the sprawling guitar player.  A gig not for the feint hearted but, for those of a stronger constitution, a rollicking, riotous extravaganza.


An evening full of contrast and quality providing much intrigue and entertainment. Steve H 

No comments :

Blog Archive