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, January 20, 2023

JATLP: Emma Fisk & James Birkett @ Lit & Phil, Newcastle - Jan. 20

Emma Fisk (violin); James Birkett (guitar).

Music is timeless. Be it Bach or Beethoven, Gilbert and Sullivan, Lennon and McCartney, Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti. If it delivered the goods then, then, as sure as Cox made Orange Pippins, it's a fair bet the appeal won't have diminished.

It was the latter duo who took centre stage at this increasingly popular monthly lunchtime venue. In the more than capable hands of Emma Fisk and James Birkett  the duo recreated the music of Lang and Venuti who were, in my opinion, the undisputed first great jazz stringsters and, today, Fisk and Birkett are surely comparable with any other duo working the same side of the street.

The sold out room, judging by their applause, concurred.

A mix of standards, Venuti/Lang quirky titled originals plus a composition by Birkett - Eddie's Lament - made for a varied programme by two players at the top of their game.

It was pure magic. Lance

Sunday; Cheese and Crackers; Sunshine; Eddie's Lament; Sweet Georgia Brown; Black and Blue Bottom; Hiawatha's Lullaby; A Little Love, a Little Kiss/Pardon me Pretty Baby; Kickin' the Cat; Someone to Watch Over me; Ragging the Scale.

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