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.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Dean Stockdale Trio @ St James' & St Basil's, Fenham (via Newport Jazz Festival) - June 18

(© Pam)
Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

An afternoon session, particularly in the open air, never fails to bring to my mind that legendary movie, Jazz on a Summer's Day.

The similarities were there. The cool, laid back, jazz by Stockdale's trio brought Oscar Peterson to mind. I don't think Oscar was actually at Newport that year (how remiss of them) but, thanks to Dean he is now.

In the film the musicians on stage had to compete with some kind of boat race - yachts being one of the residents of Newport R.I.'s toys. Here in the grounds of the Fenham church the distractions were the passing buses and the psycho, electro, Deliveroo boys bringing a Sunday lunch to those who'd given cook the day-off.

Still, the Newport atmosphere was good. The audience, probably more concerned as to whether or not they should have brought an umbrella, Dean wishing he'd brought some clothes' pegs with him to deal with the prevailing winds whilst I wondered if I'd be struck by a bolt of lightning when I passed through the portals of this most impressive building - let's face it, the guys/gals who built these places of worship had the edge on those who designed our current places of worship such as shopping centres and football stadiums. I also imagined that, maybe in my mind I'd hear Mahalia singing The Lords Prayer?

Then again, perhaps, in my dreams, I would I encounter Sylvia, Chris, Patti or Pam wearing a picture hat and singing Tea For Two?

Apologies for this long digression but when you have a trio of this calibre words fail you, all you can do is sit back, relax and enjoy the music. Lance

These Are Soulful Days; Falling in Love With Love; Joy Spring; Bossa Beguine; Elaine; Have You Met Miss Jones?; Night Train.

2 comments :

Sylvia said...

You provide the hat…I will provide the vocals…😘😘

Patti said...

I have the hat - but you wouldn't want to hear my vocals!

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