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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, December 18, 2023

Party night @ the Globe - Dec. 17

(© Sheila Herrick)
David 'Showtime' Gray (vocals/trombone/trumpet/ocarina); Adam Sams (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Michael Mather  (drums) + Jim Easton  (congas); Karen Rann (soprano sax); Edgar Bell (cornet).

Over the years 'Showtime' has evolved from a trombonist who played trumpet who also sang. At last night's 'party' he added ocarina to his box of tricks. Is this the full circle or is there more to come? I suspect there is - lock up your Alpine horns.

(© Sheila Herrick)
He played all of the above although the singing appears to be taking over. Still that's no bad thing although I think the trombone is his true forte.

With his his fellow 'Flextonians' on top form they played a seasonal selection of songs before morphing into a jam session at which point my bus beckoned (yes they're back!)


(© Sheila Herrick)
Eva Fox Duo: Eva Fox (vocals); Alan Law  (piano); Paul Grainger  (bass); Michael Mather (drums)

This band maybe should have taken a leaf out of David Gray's book and renamed itself Eva Fox's Flexible Duo as no matter how many times I tried, my count always came up with four. Ms Fox is of Irish descent so maybe they do things differently over there.

However, once she started singing the only numbers that counted were the ones she interpreted so impeccably which was all five. A star is born!

You'd be so Nice to Come Home to; The Man I  Love; You Made me Love You; My Funny Valentine; There Will Never be Another You.

What a swell party this was turning out to be. Even without any mince pies or Christmas crackers to pull under the mistletoe this set made up for it. I hope I get the opportunity to hear her again.

The show had begun with Bluegrass Slow Jam, a sixteen piece ensemble comprising of a plethora of guitars, banjos, mandolins, vocals, violin and harmonica. Fronted by Tom Cronin they played an enthusiastic mix of folk, bluegrass and western swing proving just how varied the Jazz Coop/Globe's musical spectrum is. Lance

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