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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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

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.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 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, April 17, 2024

Another jam packed Black Swan jam session - April 16

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! 

This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul Grainger and post-grad student drummer, Mr Bailey Rudd. Three numbers to set the ball rolling - Bird's Little Suede Shoes, Johnny Green's Body and Soul and Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. Nicely warmed up, MC Grainger opened the floor. First up, Jan Spencelayh. Accompanied by John Rowland's tenor sax, Jan sang a classic - You Turned the Tables on Me. Excellent. 

Kris Finney had been absent for a while. Good to see him put in an appearance and, as ever, make a solid contribution behind the traps. Alex Shipsey is another welcome face at the jam session. Whatever the tune, Alex is on it. Trumpeter Stuart Fowler was in the house, minus his horn. But wait, taking a seat at the house keyboard, Stuart proved to be more than canny. Becky Tuck sang 'S Wonderful, accompanied by one S. Fowler at the piano. The wonders of a jam session! Guitarist Liam Oliver and drummer Freddie Richards were knocking around, they made their mark, likewise the dependable Owen Jones. MC P. Grainger likes it when not one, not two, but three bass players turn up! Remi Coulthard-Boardman sang (falsetto to boot) Moondance with Esther Coombes on board playing alto sax (later clarinet). 

Now then, sometimes at a jam session, just occasionally, something happens. Something wonderful, that is. Newcastle University students Conor Emery (trombone) and Olly Styles (tenor sax) formed a frontline supported by Stuart (keyboards), Bradley (guitar), Jamie Watkins (bass) and, wait for it, drummer John Hirst. Oh, yes! Conor and Olly set about tearing it up on Manteca. In their late teens/early twenties*, this was, as they say, 'something else'. Absolutely barnstorming stuff! And, there's more, John Hirst's drum solo would have brought the house down at Ronnie's. Stupendous!                  

As if that wasn't enough, Paul Skerritt**, enjoying a night out, led the finale. All hands on deck for It Don't Mean a Thing and a showstopping Let the Good Times Roll

In some quarters you'll hear comments along the lines of 'in my day..', 'jazz isn't what it used to be...' etc. Well, the 'in my day' types should go hear Conor Emery and Olly Styles (and hundreds of other young musicians throughout the country) and they'll have their eyes and ears opened.

** A week on Friday (April 26) Paul Skerritt will be in concert in Hall Two at the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead). Paul's 'backing band' (!) will be the fantastic Danny Miller Big Band. Seats have been selling really well, don't delay, book today at: www.theglasshouseicm.org. Russell    

Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd  (drums) + Jan Spencelayh (vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Kris Finney (drums); Conor Emery (trombone); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Stuart Fowler (piano); Becky Tuck (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Freddie Richards (drums); Ian Drever (vocals); Liam Oliver (guitar); Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Josh Weir (drums); Alec Gamble (guitar); Johannes Dalhuijsen (bass clarinet); ? (piano); ? (vocals); John Hirst (drums); Paul Skerritt (vocals)

2 comments :

NeilC said...

Is it simply that the gig has outgrown the capacity of the current venue and it's time for somewhere larger to accommodate the demand?

Lance said...

There is also the downstairs room which is bigger yet not utilised for the jams.

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