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, November 18, 2022

TJ Johnson @ the Lit & Phil - Nov. 18

 TJ Johnson (piano, vocals)

This was something different for the monthly JATLP session.

TJ is, first and foremost, an entertainer. And, whilst he may not be the world's greatest pianist nor the world's greatest singer, combine the two and you get the feeling that maybe he is not that far short in either category!

The audience loved him and so did I. He engaged us with his patter between numbers creating an ambience so important on a gig - especially on a one man show such as this.

There maybe others who do it better but, off hand, I can't think of many or, indeed, any. 

A programme of tried and tested standards, some blues and a hint of country (sans western) gripped the audience and had feet tapping, hands clapping and calls for more which didn't go unheeded.

The lesson to be learned was that this - and each and every other JATLP concert - provides accessible contrast within the prisms of what we think of as straight ahead jazz. They don't go back to the Delta nor do they seek to explore the unknown that is forever lurking on the outside. Instead they continue to prove that The Sound of Surprise is ever present irrespective of the time frame  as TJ proved this afternoon. Lance

Darktown Strutters' Ball; Just in Time; Times are  Gettin' Tougher than Tough; Where or When; When the Lights go Out; Georgia on my Mind; Without a Song; Stardust; On the Road Again; Ain't Misbehavin'; Roll 'em Pete; Roll me up and Smoke me When I Die; I Can't Help Being Still in Love With You; Let the Good Times Roll.

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