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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Sunday, March 24, 2024

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Mar. 23

Steve Andrews (MC, baritone sax, clarinet); Martin Litton (piano); Ed Cross (violin); Alistair Lord (trumpet, cornet); Dave Hignett (trumpet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Jim McBriarty (reeds, vocals); Alan Marshall (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Paul Smith (drums); Caroline Irwin (vocals) + Olivia (xylophone); Benjamin (alto sax)

The New Century Ragtime Orchestra is an occasional happening. Two or three performances a year constitutes a busy schedule. As and when the NCRO takes to the stage it pays to be there. This evening at Gosforth Civic Theatre the NCRO played to a full house and no one but no one left disappointed. GCT is a well appointed venue, in some ways an exemplar - level floor throughout, accessible to all and, from the musician's view point, there is a half-decent Yamaha upright piano on the premises. 

Occupying the piano stool this evening, all the way from Hay-on-Wye, master musician Martin Litton. A long-time friend of the NCRO, Litton arrived earlier in the day, later meeting up with Dave Kerr, Phil Rutherford and the rest of the band to run through one or two charts. MC Steve Andrews would guide the audience through the evening's programme with a string of witty observations/asides along the way. 

My Baby Just Cares for Me opened the show, The Ragtime Dance (as arranged by D. Kerr) followed, and onto Doin' the Frog. NCRO supporters old and new loved what they were hearing, quite simply, the band was on form. The presence of pianist Martin Litton added an extra touch of class, the horns were at the top of their game and the rhythm section - stalwart tuba maestro Phil Rutherford, Keith Stephen, switching between guitar and banjo, and pocket dynamo Paul Smith nailing the drum parts - gave a sterling (if partly hidden behind the frontline's gleaming brass) display. 

As the NCRO vacated the stage, pianist Martin Litton played a medley of tunes, the audience mesmerised by the elegance and dexterity on show. Digga Digga Doo, In a Mist...A-grade stuff. Stomp Your StuffShakin' the Blues Away, vocalists Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty jousting on After You've Gone (all good fun), Litton's take on Fats Waller's Clothes Line Ballet, the variety on offer helped engage the audience throughout two full sets. Highlights were many, however, to single out one...Dave Hignett (trumpet) and Neville Hartley (trombone) playing Ain't Misbehavin' took the gold medal. 

Young musicians Olivia and Benjamin did themselves proud standing out front, showing few, if any, signs of nerves. Olivia, xylophone, playing beautifully on Whistling Rag and Benjamin playing alto sax on Autumn Leaves (Caroline Irwin singing). The New Century signed off in some style with Business in F (it was the business!), Marbles (arr. K. Nichols) and Goodbye Blues Russell       

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

A brilliant performance by the NCRO in a hall which offered the musicians a chance to shine. They didn't disappoint. Thank you David for bringing this orchestra to Gosforth. To see and hear such wonderful musicians made it an evening to remember. To cap it all, Caroline's version of J'ai Deaux Amours was something special. Please return soon.

George Watt

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