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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

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

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 HappyCake 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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