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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, December 06, 2023

The Alto Summit Jam Session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle - Dec. 5

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Sid White (drums) + Luis Verde, Sam Toulson, Haaruun Miller (alto sax); John Rowland (tenor sax); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Ruby (flute); Caroline Watkins (piano); Liam, ? (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums); Mollie Birmingham, Debra Milne, Sarah Johnston, Kate O'Neill, Steph, Lisa, Ian Drever, ? (vocals) 

The penultimate Black Swan jam session of the year featured an alto sax summit, a plethora of vocalists and a family celebration. The previous day's incessant rain cleared the pavements of snow and ice, no doubt tempting any waverers to make it down to Newcastle Arts Centre. Long before the down beat the basement Black Swan bar was more than busy.

Twenty four hours earlier Michael Young could be found working with his trio - and special guest Lindsay Hannon - at a packed Engine Room in Sunderland. This evening the Black Swan jam session's house pianist once again hooked up with bassist Paul Grainger with southpaw Sid White occupying the drum chair. Well You Needn't opened the show and it was good to hear a stonking, rip-roaring take on one of T. Monk's classic numbers. It wasn't too long before MC Grainger invited Luis Verde to join the trio to play a couple of tunes. Alto sax in hand, Verde called Skylark. This was it, magnificent alto saxophone playing, simply magnificent. If any Tynesiders - and those beyond - are yet to hear Luis Verde, do yourself a favour, get down to the next jam session (Tuesday 19). If Luis Verde happens to be in the house you're in for a treat!

John Rowland was in the house and his old school tenor sound on a Horace Silver staple offered contrast to what had gone before. A multitude of vocalists made their mark, including Mollie Birmingham (Nature Boy) and Debra Milne (a seasonal Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!). Later in the evening another alto saxophonist who we hadn't heard from in a while turned up...one Sam Toulson! Burning Bird-like bebop tore it up. Wow! And then, and then...we heard/witnessed Verde and Toulson locking alto sax horns on A Night in Tunisia. Jam sessions are ten-a-penny, this, however, was a 24-carat 'I was there' moment. Two prodigiously talented musicians, respectful of one another, if not 'Gig of the Year', definitely a 'Highlight of the Year'. 

And as if it couldn't get any better, a suited-and-booted Jamie Watkins arrived. Wot?! No jeans and trainers? Ah, it was post grad Jamie's graduation day! Day-long family celebrations continued here at the Black Swan. How good was that?! And here's a first, Jamie played Paul Grainger's double bass! Better still, it was entirely appropriate Jamie's mate Bailey Rudd just happened to be playing drums. What's more, Caroline Watkins (Jamie's mother) played piano! As jam sessions go this was one of the more memorable. A great night!        

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