Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Sunday, July 07, 2024

4B @ the Ticket Office, Whitley Bay - July 7

Barbara Wilcox (piano, vocals); Bernie Ranson (tenor sax, vocals); Jude Murphy (bass, vocals); Alan Wann (drums).

Despite the weather and the ongoing construction at Whitley Bay metro station, the regulars turned out for two hours of music from a quartet who enjoy their time together every Sunday afternoon as much as we enjoy listening to them. 

Each week they play tried and tested tunes drawn from the blues, bebop and bossa repertoires  although most weeks they will include something new or something with a twist. It could be a GASbook standard with an unusual time signature or a well known tune with different lyrics. They are also not above playing requests from the audience which is refreshing and makes for a friendly vibe to the afternoon. 

The venue, when it’s raining, is what estate agents would call bijou and it is a pity that the weather and construction work have made it difficult to sit outside lately. But if you don’t mind close contact with your fellow aficionados and a friendly atmosphere, then it’s worth checking it out. Sylvia

1 comment :

Patti said...

Jazz in a bijou venue - I love that! I saw a comment on FB about the gig too - saying that the band had played a request for a little girl in the audience - and they'd done that great song by Oscar Brown Jr. 'Dat Dere', which includes the classic line 'Mama, can I have that big elephant over there?'

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