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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Dec. 17

Jazz Attack: Hugo (violin); Luke (guitar); Dan, Peter, Bernard (percussion) + Graham Hardy (MD, bass guitar)

The 2023-24 edition of Jazz Attack gave a short performance on the concourse at the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) in front of an appreciative audience of family, friends and supporters. MD Graham Hardy has been tutoring his young charges (ranging in age from 9 - 15 years) for something like three months and this Sunday afternoon was an opportunity to hear what they've been up to. 

In the absence of a bass player, Hardy steadied the ship playing bass guitar. The ensemble - a violinist, a guitarist and three percussionists - opened with Milt Jackson's Bag's Groove. The absence of trumpet and sax (saxophonist Luke filling in on guitar), thrust violinist Hugo into the spotlight. Seated to the right of his bandmates, Hugo made a grand job of it. Our three drummers took it in turn behind the traps, supported by congas, tambourine and sundry other shakers and rattlers. 

Killer Joe heard more from Hugo with Luke making a fist of it on guitar, MD Hardy no doubt delighted at what he was hearing. To close an all too short set, the ensemble gave a world premiere performance of a Jazz Attack original composition titled Chocolate Fudge. Clearly enjoying themselves, our percussion three knocked it around the concourse. 

So, a first sighting of Jazz Attack. On the evidence of this Sunday afternoon performance we'll be hearing a lot more from these talented young musicians. Russell

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