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.

Monday, December 12, 2022

Jason Isaacs @ Hoochie Coochie -Dec. 11

(© Russell)
Jason Isaacs (vocal/tenor sax); Darren Irwin, Mark Webb (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby (trombone); Lewis Watson, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Stu Collingwood (piano); Neil Harland (bass guitar); Simon Ferry (drums) + Dave Hignett (trumpet).

Hard to believe that this was the last time we would hear Jason Isaacs - or is it? How many times did they say that about Frank Sinatra?

However, for the foreseeable future our boy is heading for more tropical climes so, needless to say he went out all guns blazing. It didn't matter that we knew the material. I doubt if the audience would have wanted it any other way. Frank, Dean, Darin, Elvis and others were all given their share.

(© Russell)
He also blew more tenor than usual despite having the north east's number one - Lewis Watson - in the band. And what a band! They're worthy of a gig in their own right as was proved when they were featured on Sing, Sing, Sing with Niall as Benny and Simon as Gene.

Former band member Dave Hignett sat in on trumpet for a couple of numbers and Jason sang The Wonder of You to his wife.

A memorable evening that left us both happy and sad. Lance

2 comments :

Patti said...

What a storming gig this was! I think we all went a bit delirious with jazzy joy - my slightly aching joints are reminding me now!

Sylvia said...

And once again, at a Jason Isaac gig, I saw Lance…dance!…that’s some moves baby!..
😘

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