Bebop Spoken There

David Bailey (photographer): ''When I was 16 I wanted to look like Chet Baker. He was my idol - him and James Dean.'' (Talking Pictures documentary : Four beats to the bar and no cheating April, 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

18429 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 293 of them this year alone and, so far this month (April 13 ) 27,

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

April

Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 17: Ben Crosland Quartet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. £12.96 (inc. bf) online; £15.00 on the door. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.

Sat 18: Bright Street Big Band @ Washington Arts Centre. 6:30pm. £12.00. Swing dance sessions + Bright Street Big Band 7:30-8:15pm & 8:45-9:30pm.
Sat 18: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm. £27.00 (inc. bf).

Sun 19: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Trio + Lara Hopper.
Sun 19: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 19: Straight to Tape @ The Tyne Bar, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Edd Carr, Jonathan Proud, John Hirst. Blues trio.
Sun 19: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Graham Hardy’s Eclectic Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

Mon 20: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 20: Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Tue 21: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval NE25 0AT. Tel: 0191 237 3697. Tickets: £14.00. ‘Pie & Pea Lunch’.
Tue 21: Neil Cowley Trio @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. £29.00., £26.00., £23.00.
Tue 21: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Jack Littlewood (drums).

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Nubiyan Twist @ Digital, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £28.75 (inc. bf).
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Daniel John Martin w. Swing Manouche @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 7:30pm. Date, time & admission TBC.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 23: FILM: Big Mama Thornton: I Can’t Be Anyone But Me @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 6:15pm. Dir. Robert Clem (2025).
Thu 23: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 23: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 23: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra & Musicians Unlimited @ ARC, Stockton. 8:00pm. £19.00. inc. bf.

Monday, June 05, 2023

Swinging at the Cotton Club @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - June 4

The Fire Station is on something of a roll. A regular programme of jazz concerts across the spectrum is clearly paying dividends. This evening 'Harry Strutter' was in town with his Hot Rhythm Orchestra performing alongside the ever-energetic Lindy Hop Dance Company. Orchestra and troupe would win a standing ovation from yet another large turn out here on High Street West. 

The Hot Rhythm Orchestra has been on the go for decades, long before some in the audience were but a twinkle in the eye. The programme familiar, the musicianship of the highest order, Lee Payne's eye-catching tap routines, the Lindy Hop guys and gals hoofing it, it all adds up to a winner. Exactly Like You, Black Beauty, Andy Woon's front-of-stage trumpet feature on Stardust, there was something for everyone. 

Dressed in an outrageous zoot suit number (making the late George Melly's wardrobe look positively sober), MC and vocalist Megs Etherington kept the show moving along. American singer Marlene Hill sang GASbook numbers (Bill Bailey, Willow Weep for Me), show/film tunes (Stormy Weather), a gospel number, alternating with the Lindy Hoppers' exhausting routines. The boys in the band got the opportunity to play - C Jam Blues, Happy Feet, Hill vocalising on Creole Love Call - and that most elegant of pianists, Martin Litton, briefly took centre stage playing Jelly Roll Morton's Grandpa's Spells. 

The Fire Station is putting bums on seats, what's more, it's all good stuff. More jazz to come? Yes, the cookin' Hammond organ James Taylor Quartet will be there on June 16 and in July (Friday 21), the region's very own Strictly Smokin' Big Band with Alice Grace will be playing Ella and Ellington. Book now at: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk. Russell        
           
Harry Strutters' Hot Rhythm Orchestra: Megs Etherington (MC, vocals); Marlene Hill (vocals); Andy Woon (trumpet); Tony Carter (alto sax, clarinet); Chris Macdonald (alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet); Paul Taylor (trombone); Martin Litton (piano); Maurice Dennis (banjo, guitar); Allan Sokell (sousaphone); Graham Collicott (drums) + Lee Payne (tap dance) & the Lindy Hop Dance Company 
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