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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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones - 1975.
Thu 20: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 20: Orange Claw Hammer + Peony @ The Globe, Newcastle.7:30pm. Orange Claw Hammer play Captain Beefheart.
Thu 20: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Featuring special guest Zoë Gilby.

Fri 21: JazzMain @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. TBC.
Fri 21: Emma Rawicz w. Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Mississippi MacDonald @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm. Blues.
Sat 22: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm. £16.50. SOLD OUT!
Sat 22: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Another Black Swan jam session - Feb. 20

Ben Phillips (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Mark Robertson (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Joe Steels (guitar); Luis Verde (alto sax); Abbie Finn (drums); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Steve Summers (tenor sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Bailey Rudd (drums); John Rowland (tenor sax); Liam Oliver (guitar); Fionnula Bradbury (vocals); Lizzie ? (guitar); Becky Tuck (vocals); Remy Coulthard Boardman (vocals); Josh Weir (drums); Jane ? (trumpet, vocals); Vlada ? (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Johannes Dalhuijsen (bass clarinet); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Nick Gould (tenor sax); David Gray (trombone); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet)

The recent trend of audiences arriving earlier and earlier continued. Doors at seven o'clock with a seven thirty downbeat was the usual routine. Not anymore, the early birds are getting themselves down to the Black Swan way before seven. Shortly after seven most seats were occupied. The horns turned out in force, three guitarists, vocalists galore and more, may more. 

Black Orpheus to start, Ben Philips, MC Paul Grainger and Mark Robertson setting the standard. In quick succession the big-hitting horns were up and at it, not locking horns, simply blowing and enjoying the occasion. Harry Keeble excellent, the Ruddicks - father and son, Paul and Shivan (young Shivan impressing once again, On Green Dolphin Street an early highlight). Guitarist Joe Steels impressed, when doesn't he? And then there was Luis Verde. Alto saxophonist Luis is some player, calling Round Midnight, accompanied by ace drummer Abbie Finn, the room fell silent, Luis the focus of attention. Magnificent alto sax, if you're yet to hear the Newcastle resident Spaniard, do yourself favour by getting along to the first of several forthcoming concerts featuring Luis*

John Rowland and Steve Summers, tenor sax both, always good value at a jam session, blossoming graduate guitarist Jacob Egglestone soloing at length, joined by fellow graduate, drummer Bailey Rudd, offering sympathetic support to Teesside singer Kate O'Niell, the merry go round was picking up speed. Fionnula Bradbury put in an appearance for the first time in a while singing You'd be so Nice to Come Home to - don't leave it so long next time, Fionnula. 

Becky Tuck was in the house, there to sing I Didn't Know What Time it Was, be sure to catch Becky around town. Nick Gould, down from Edinburgh for the day, blew assured tenor, sharing the stage with a bunch of up-and-coming names, and, as an old hand, keeping them straight (On the Sunny Side of the Street), offering no little encouragement (it's one of the joys of a jam session, the seasoned pro working alongside promising talents). 

They were massing in the wings as MC P. Grainger set about assembling a half hour, eyeballs-out, finale. CaravanA Train and a ten-strong frontline horn section (aka the Esther Coombes Experience) taking it out on Mr PC. It had been another canny night on Westgate Road. We reconvene on Tuesday 5 March, don't be late!        
The dates for your diary...Luis Verde at the Globe, Newcastle (March 17) and Queen's Hall, Hexham (March 24, afternoon). Russell                   

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