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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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

Thursday, March 09, 2023

The Ed Richardson Big Band plays Atomic Basie & more @ Ronnie Scott's - Mar. 6

This one had been in the diary for a while. A couple of days in London (Spice of Life Monday lunchtime, a bookshop or two, Ronnie's in the evening, a blockbuster exhibition the next day), a favourable weather forecast, let's go! Monday evening, Ronnie Scott's, the Ed Richardson Big Band plays 'Atomic Basie & more'. Count Basie, a stellar big band, a superstar vocalist, a winning combination!

This Frith Street engagement sold out several weeks ago. And no surprise there given that drummer Ed Richardson would be leading an all-star big band. Each chair in the band was occupied by an A-lister: Joe Webb as Basie, Pete Horsfall and Freddie Gavita in the trumpet section, Callum Au (that's Callum Au, master arranger) and Dan Higham in the 'bones, Kansas Smitty's Giacomo Smith and Leo (no relation) Richardson in the reeds. Oh, yes, add the name Georgia Cécile to the line-up. Stellar? You bet! 

The place was buzzing as audience and musicians caught up for a chat before the down beat. The evening's MC, Paul Pace, introduced Ed Richardson and the ensemble. The excitement was palpable as the band tore into The Kid from Red Bank. Close your eyes, this was the Basie band in full flow. Absolutely terrific. Freddie Gavita and Pete Horsfall duetted on, yes, Duet. Graeme Blevins (tenor sax) and Joe Webb featured on After Supper, Webb again, alongside Giacomo Smith, on Flight of the Foo Birds. The set list more or less followed the album's running order, next up, Teddy the Toad, then Pete Horsfall in the spotlight on Midnight Blue

Nights like this are special, the listener hanging on every note. Ronnie's patrons were particularly attentive this evening. And at this juncture Ed Richardson introduced a special guest, his father, drummer Andy Richardson. Son Ed happily stepped aside to allow father Andy to join the band on Splanky. How good was that?! It's like a Wimbledon champion on Centre Court inviting a family member to serve at match point. Richardson Senior can play, that's for sure. What a thrill it must have been for him. Son Ed videoed the moment.

Giacomo Smith, playing alto sax, featured on Fantail, a muted, graceful Pete Horsfall captured the essence of Li'l Darlin' and then, to close, Joe Webb (Basie) brought in Whirly-Bird. They stood up - that's tenor men Graeme Blevins and Leo Richardson (Frank Foster and Lockjaw Davis) - to blow and blow and blow, the trumpets soaring and swooping as one. Wonderful.

Second set: The '& more' set. Numbers from various albums (April in ParisSinatra at the SandsElla and Basie) heard the ensemble continue where it left off, that is, in superb form. Dan Higham and Freddie Gavita stood in the spotlight on Blues in Hoss' Flat, Gavita again on Shiny Stockings, classic Basie. Time for Ed Richardson to introduce the band's guest star. Strolling onto stage, the one and only, Georgia Cécile. I'm Beginning to See the Light sang Georgia. Our London resident Glaswegian remained exactly where she was for a swinging Honeysuckle Rose. Star quality, pure and simple. And from the Ella and Basie album, Georgia sang On the Sunny Side of the Street. It had been a marvellous, memorable evening. It's likely Ronnie Scott's will want to do it again. If it happens be sure to book early! Russell                          
    
The Ed Richardson Big Band: Tom Walsh, George Hogg, Pete Horsfall, Freddie Gavita (trumpets); Giacomo Smith, Simon Marsh, Leo Richardson, Graeme Blevins, Jess Holder (reeds); Alistair White, Callum Au, Dan Higham, Barry Clements (trombones); Joe Webb (piano); Oli Mason (guitar); Ferg Ireland (double bass); Ed Richardson (drums); Georgia Cécile (vocals) + Andy Richardson (drums)

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