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.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Album review: Richard Jones Trio - Angle Shades

Richard Jones (piano); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)

Johnny Hunter is a well known visitor to Newcastle having played on many JNE gigs in recent years so it came as no surprise that one of his two compositions on Angle Shades is titled Thursday Afternoon in Newcastle (the other has an equally enigmatic and unexplained title 350 Million Herring.

Richard Jones provided three of his own: Eye's Regret; K.H and Mr. Relaxed whilst Cavanagh-Brierley pitched in with Some Mat

All three musicians were part of Nishla Smith's band when she played the Globe in 2021. The music here is very different giving proof of their adaptability. It's an impromptu affair very much related to the contemporary improv school. 

No recognisable format inasmuch as it's all very much in the moment. To quote Jones... "we wrote ideas and motifs that would encourage each player's creativity and form the basis for improvising as soloists and collectively..."

All were one-take only tracks thus retaining the spontaneity of a live gig and by and large it works.

The album will be released via Efpi on May 12 and will be supported by a tour that kicks off in Sheffield on April 19 although they don't hit the Globe until June 4. Lance

Confirmed dates: The Lescar, Sheffield (April 19); NQ Jazz at The Yard, Manchester (April 24); Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge (April 27); Sela Bar, Leeds (May 9); Pianodrome, Edinburgh (May 13); MAP Studio Café, London (May 21); Leeds Jazz Festival for Fusebox, Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds (May 25); The Globe, Newcastle (June 4); The Spotted Dog, Birmingham July 25)

No comments :

Blog Archive