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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 2025).

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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00.

Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.br/> Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The Black Swan jam session - Sept. 19

The Black Swan jam session is the one you dare not miss. The familiar faces sat in, it wouldn't be the same without them, but, here's the thing, the coming generation has well and truly arrived. This evening's session would be bookended by two teenage trumpeters and a couple of function band veterans.

At short notice, in the absence of Abbie Finn, the Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society (UK & Ireland) stepped into the breach. The VP is none other than Michael Mather, cue a spontaneous round of applause! The house trio - Stu Collingwood, MC Paul Grainger and VP Mather - got things under way courtesy of Michel Legrand. From here on in the merry-go-round didn't stop all night.

First up, a debutante. Step forward trumpeter Lara William (pictured above). If our newcomer was nervous it didn't show. Measured, restrained, well-schooled, Lara chose to play Sometime Ago. You should have heard the applause! Wow! Lara hung around for a while, sharing the stage with fellow trumpeter Shivan Ruddick (pictured left). The two teens have well and truly made their mark. This being a midweek school night Lara was obliged to leave before the grand finale. She'll be back, that's for sure. 

MC Mr PG couldn't believe his luck. During the evening no fewer than three bass players arrived affording him the opportunity to go to the bar. Three cheers for Owen Jones, Alex Shipsey and John Pope!

Shining lights Paul Ruddick and David Gray lit up the room, Paul blowing some ferocious Baghdaddian alto, 'Showtime' spinning plates - trombone, trumpet and vocals. Newbies Eva Fox (pictured left) and Richard Sutton (pictured below) impressed, Eva singing, Richard playing some mighty fine guitar. Come back soon.

And then there was Luis Verde. Blowing sublime alto sax at intervals during the night, to see out the evening, Luis fancied playing Caravan. All hands on deck, all going for it, Luis took Juan Tizol's epic number to the cleaners. It's been written, it's been documented, Luis is the one to hear. A tremendous musician, if you're yet to hear him play, do yourself a favour, get along to the next jam session, you never know, he might be there. 

Note, the next Black Swan jam session will be on Tuesday 3rd October (the pattern is 'first and third Tuesdays in the month'). It's a seven thirty start and it's free, yes, free admission. Where's the Black Swan? In the basement of Newcastle Arts Centre, Westgate Road, Newcastle (two mins' walk from Central Station). Russell

Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Michael Mather (drums) + Lara William (trumpet); Luis Verde (alto sax); Kate O'Neill (vocals); David Gray (trombone, trumpet, vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Dan ? (drums); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Lisa ? (vocals); Liam ? (guitar); Murray Wankling (piano); Richard Sutton (guitar); Eva Fox (vocals); Adam Sams (guitar); John Pope (double bass); Ian Drever (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet)    

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