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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

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. 1:00-2:00pm. £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: Fiona Finden’s Jazz Express @ Flash House Brewing Co., North Shields. 8:00pm.
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: MOBO Song @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 12 noon. Free, performances on the concourse. Line-up inc. Jazz Attack (on stage time TBC) & Jambone (12:20pm).
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
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. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

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.

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, March 06, 2024

The Black Swan jam session - March 5

It's a seven thirty start, roll up five minutes before the down beat and take your seat. Not any more! That was then, this is now! Since before the turn of the year some punters have been turning up earlier and earlier. This evening, fully three quarters of an hour before the advertised start, seats were being occupied at a rate of knots. At a little after seven o'clock seats were at a premium. What's going on?! 

Whatever is going on, it's a remarkably positive story. At the appointed time (7:30pm) the house trio - Joe Steels, Paul Grainger and off-the-bench sub Abbie Finn - got things underway. The packed house soon became a tad noisy, so much so MC Paul Grainger requested conversation be kept to a low(er) level rather than the near-bellowing emanating from some quarters. Alice Grace was in the house - hooray! Bye Bye Blackbird sang Alice. Too marvellous for words...

Tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble joined the fray, as did alto saxophonist Luis Verde. Absolutely top class playing from HK and LV, it was a privilege to hear them play. It had all the makings of a terrific night. It wasn't long before the Ruddicks were up and at it. Of late, young trumpeter Shivan Ruddick has been getting along to the Black Swan. In no time at all, it's plain to see - and hear - Shivan is developing in leaps and bounds. Paul Ruddick blew his usual Baghdaddian alto sax, again, terrific.

The Newcastle University posse circled the floor. First onto the stand, drummer Bailey Rudd, then guitarist Jacob Egglestone. Josh Weir would figure later. Bailey and Jacob shining on Four and Nature Boy. John Rowland blew old school tenor, Conor Emery blew some excellent, straight-down-the-middle trombone. 

Black Swan debutant vocalists included Cara (Blue Moon) and Jenny (You Turned the Tables on Me), Jess played some piano, all in a night's entertainment! Accompanied by the Newcastle Uni boys, Teessider Kate O'Niell sang Lullaby of Birdland, guitarist Jacob excelling. David Gray popped up, first on trumpet, later playing his main instrument, trombone. As the evening unfolded we heard from Edgar Bell (muted trumpet), Ian Drever foghorning A Foggy Day, Hannah singing Blue Skies. And then there was Becky Tuck, Liam Oliver, possibly others, it was a busy old night!

The Newcastle Uni boys were holding their own - the impressive Olly Styles (tenor sax), the assured Conor Emery and student friend Joe behind the traps. Trumpeter James Palmer, all the way from Somerset (on Tyneside for business reasons), enjoyed himself, the sitters-in gathering. Josh Weir, Freddie Richards, drummers both, Esther Coombes (reeds), so many of them, MC Grainger dubbing the massed finale Horns-a-Plenty. And central to it, one Niffi Osiyemi, vocalist extraordinaire (Darktown Strutters' Ball). 

The next Black Swan jam session is scheduled for Tuesday 19 March (house trio, Michael Young, Paul Grainger and Tim Johnston). It's a seven thirty start, arrive early or be prepared to stand all night! Russell

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger  (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Alice Grace (vocals); Jess ? (piano); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Luis Verde (alto sax); Bailey Rudd (drums); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Cara ? (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Conor Emery (trombone); John Rowland (tenor sax); Josh Weir (drums); David Gray (trumpet, trombone); Jenny ? (vocals); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Liam Oliver (guitar); Ian Drever (vocals); Hannah (vocals); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Joe ? (drums); James Palmer (trumpet); Dominic ? (trombone); Becky Tuck (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Freddie Richards (drums); Niffi Osiyemi (vocals)         

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