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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

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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. 12:30-1:30pm. £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: 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: 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.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Jo Harrop @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Sept. 27

© Ken Drew
Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano, keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Jihad Darwish (bass guitar); Peter Adam Hill (drums) + Jason Holcomb (trombone)

With circa half a dozen albums to her name there's no stopping the gal from Chester-le-Street. Each one different, ranging from covers of standards to her own original compositions often in conjunction with tonight's MD and fellow Cestrian, Paul Edis, both are currently making waves on the London scene.

Although last night's concert at the Glasshouse was basically aimed at promoting her latest album The Path of a Tear there were also selections from The Heart Wants; Weathering the Storm and When Winter Comes.

Edis, riding high after his barnstorming set with Paul Booth at Blaydon on Monday gone was, as always, the sublime accompanist and his duet, just piano and voice, with Jo on If Ever I Would Leave You, a pin-dropping moment - what am I saying? They all were! Certainly the title track of this latest album, another duet - this time with Mark Williams - was beyond description.

© Ken Drew
In between numbers Jo gave us lots of background info to each song including telling us of the effect (and inspiration) of composing during Covid as well as the nervous anticipation of a three day recording session in  Los Angeles with legendary producer Larry Klein.

Down in the engine room, Darwish and Hill - part of Jo's London band - slotted in fine although the balance didn't seem quite right in the first set in the second it was fine. Darwish, of course, is well remembered for a belter of a gig with the Jazz Defenders at Hoochie Coochie a while back.

When I Love I Love Deep involved the audience in a singalong. As of yet it hasn't been recorded. Maybe the audience was being auditioned for when it happens.

© Russell
As the evening drew to a close Jason Holcomb was called up from the audience to join Jo and blow his trombone, which he just happened to have with him, on Whiskey or the Truth (see photo).

Oh yes, I should also mention that, apart from the voice, Jo looked ab fab in a sparkly silver gown. Lance.

Beautiful Fools; Stay Here Tonight; Charade; The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants; Path of a Tear (duo with Mark); A Love Like This; Short Story; Everything’s Changing; Hurt; Traveling Light; Only Spring; You’ll Never be Lonely in Soho; Too Close to the Sun; If it Wasn’t For Bad; Life Inside; If Ever I Would Leave You (duo with Paul); When I Love I Love Deep; Whiskey or the Truth.

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