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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

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.

January 2025

Wed 01: ???

Thu 02: ???

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: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

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

Monday, May 01, 2023

Preview: Hexham Jazz Festival (May 12-14)

After a long hiatus Hexham Jazz Festival returned last year and it could be said to have been a resounding success - Hexham Abbey the grand setting, the jazz top quality, the weather kind. The 2023 event is set for the long weekend of Friday 12 - Sunday 14 May. Hexham Abbey will once again play host to a series of concerts with the bonus this year of Queen's Hall, Core Music and the Forum Cinema coming on board.

Concerts in Hexham Abbey will be hosted by Jazz FM's Nigel Williams, beginning at 7:00pm on the Friday with the acclaimed Ushaw Ensemble. Directed by Paul Edis, the star-studded line-up doesn't get together too often, so this is your chance! And at half past eight vocalist Rachel Sutton will be on stage with pianist Roland Perrin, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley.

Saturday's programme includes An Evening with Freddie Benedict. Emerging from a stint with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Benedict will be accompanied by pianist Paul Edis, guitarist Jamie McCredie, rising star saxophonist Emma Rawicz, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a seven o'clock start and at 8:30pm Benedict will step aside as the amazing Jo Harrop joins the quintet to sing a choice selection of material. At 10:30pm DJ Nigel Williams will be on the decks and earlier, during the afternoon, there will be performances in the grounds of Hexham Abbey, let's hope the sun shines!

Sunday's action includes a screening of Ernst Lubitsch's 1921 classic Die Bergkatze (The Wild Cat) in the Forum Cinema with live musical accompaniment composed by Graeme Wilson (reeds). The amiable Scot will be joined by pianist Paul Edis, bassist Paul Susans and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a 3:00pm start, something of a one-off, don't miss it! In the evening the focus shifts to Queen's Hall. Guitarist Joe Steels' Borealis takes to the stage at 7:00pm to perform new music written by its bandleader. It's a classy line-up comprising: Ferg Kilsby, trumpet, Asha Nicholson, vocals, Dan Brown piano, Paul Susans bass, and drummer John Hirst. The festival's headline act - vocalist Claire Martin, accompanied by pianist Jamie Safir - closes the show in what promises to be a memorable evening. 

Core Music on Gilesgate will host masterclass sessions (Freddie Benedict and Emma Rawicz), outdoor performances will attract the jazz fan and non-jazz fan alike, let's hope Hexham Abbey and Queen's Hall are packed to the rafters. Details of a range of ticket prices can be found at: www.queenshall.co.uk. Russell           
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