Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 2026)

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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

From This Moment On

September.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Monday, June 03, 2024

The New Century Syncopated Six @ the Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - June 2

© Russell
Jim McBriarty (alto/soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Gavin Lee (tenor sax, clarinet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Keith Stephen (banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)

A step back in time at the appropriately named Prohibition Bar. The New Century Syncopated Six, an off shoot of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra, played a couple of sets that typified the era of bathtub booze - fortunately the attempt at authenticity didn't stretch that far!

I think the most modern number played last night was composed around 1929 although most were from a year or two earlier. Some familiar and some completely unknown. Still, good music is timeless and if it was good enough for Al Capone who would dare to complain?

The gig was announced as a public rehearsal and we were warned in advance that there may be a glitch or three. Well, maybe there were but they were few and it was a tribute to the band's sight reading ability that, for the most part they went unnoticed.

It was all good fun and the audience of fans and fellow musicians soon formed a rapport with the band.

Guesting with the band was, probably, the world's tallest drummer - Birmingham based Nick Ward - he may also be the world's best in this particular genre. He arrived by Metro complete with folding drum kit!

Jim McBriarty sung and swung, his Boehm system clarinet offering a tonal contrast to Gavin Lee's simple system instrument. Both reedmen sounded authentic on sax, their vibratos spot on.

I understand Dave Hignett is a relative new member of the organisation. Bold and brassy he slotted in nicely.

Phil Rutherford pumped away on tuba and Keith Stephen played banjo, adding to the authenticity of the music.

Holding it all together was the band's Svengali, Dave Kerr, who, as he does with the NCRO, arranged, composed, transcribed and organised much of the music.

A pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon in Newcastle. Lance

Stomp Your Stuff; Blowing Off Steam; Dinah; Candy Lips; Someday Sweetheart; Riverboat Shuffle; Sunshine; San; Rumba Negra; Chicago Rhythm; Angry; Sobbing Blues; Everybody Loves my Baby; Memories of You; Hot Air
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1 comment :

Elizabeth Bacon said...

A really lovely afternoon of superb quality music a fabulous venue too

Monday, June 03, 2024 7:42:00 pm

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