Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18918 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 782 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 18.) 61.

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

September.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 7:30pm. A John Coltrane Centenary Concert (b. 23. 09. 1926). SOLD OUT!
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 24: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 24: Arun Ghosh @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £21.05. (£22.00. on the door). A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Thu 24: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 25: Mark Williams Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Get the Blessing + Dilettante @ The Cluny (Cluny 2), Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00. + bf. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Fri 25: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 26: Adam Fairhall & Johnny Hunter: Play Mary Lou Williams @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Sat 26: John Pope Quintet + Urvashi @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £15.40. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

Sun 27: Salty Dog @ The Cluny. 12:30pm (doors). Free (donations).
Sun 27: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Zach Sewell-Lara Hopper Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 27: Sun 27: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free. RESCHEDULED to Sunday 4 October.
Sun 27: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Alex Hitchcock Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00., £14.00. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

Mon 28: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 29: Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat ‘King’ Cole @ Hepscott Parish Hall. 7:30pm. . £15.00., £12.00. (Early Bird advance ticket), £10.00. Off-Broadway production feat. Duane Forrest.
Tue 29: Red Kites Jazz @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Jeff Barnhart's Mr Men & Ms Woman @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - April 29

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); Anne Barnhart (flute, vocals); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Bruce Rollo (double bass, vocals)

John Hallam was indisposed, thankfully a more than capable dep was on hand, one Anne Barnhart, the 'Ms Woman' member of today's quartet. A large turn out at St Augustine's enjoyed two sets of classic jazz numbers dating from the early decades of the twentieth century. As ever, Jeff Barnhart was in fine form; dazzling piano player, vocalist, raconteur and historian of the music. Whenever Mr B is in town - that's at least once a year - he teams up with his 'Mr Men', Messrs Keith Stephen, banjo and guitar, and Bruce Rollo, string bass maestro and, on this occasion, vocalist. 

I Want to be Happy, Cake Walking Babies from Home, the latter preceded by what Barnhart called the rehearsal: We'll do the last eight, into the chorus, then, turning to the audience: That was the rehearsal!, the on-stage camaraderie a delight, four musicians totally at ease with the material. Barnhart the historian plucked dates, names and stories from out of nowhere (no notes), giving context to each number. Solos, fours and twos, signalled by a shout - Keith!, Bruce! - or a nod, Barnhart kept things moving along. Bassist Rollo stepped forward to sing Pennies from Heaven, bassist, vocalist, is there no end to the man's talents? Flautist Anne Barnhart sang a few, including I Cover the Waterfront and Careless Love, well received numbers here at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.

Tiger Rag found Keith Stephen, toting banjo, in the soloist's spotlight. Once again our man from Northumberland made it look so very easy. Jeff Barnhart commented that it was, and is, anything but easy! Barnhart's stride piano playing is something to behold/observe as well as listen to; on several numbers, including a first set High Society and a second set Sweet Georgia Brown, his left hand darted out over the keys at bewildering speed. Amazing! To close a most enjoyable afternoon the Mr Men and Ms Woman went out on I Got Rhythm. They sure did/do! Russell         
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