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.

Saturday, September 07, 2024

Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Sept 5

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Josh Bentham (tenor/soprano saxes); Garry Hadfield (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums).

After the summer recess the jazz nights restarted with a guest band, comprising five well-known and highly respected local jazz musicians.

The evening began in great style with the appropriately titled Just Friends showing how tight an ensemble they are enhanced by fine solos from Ian, Josh and Garry not to mention the great backing from Ron on bass and Mark on drums setting the mood for  what was to follow.

Stanley Turrentine's Sugar came next, again with fine solos from keys, guitar and soprano also giving Ron the chance to show his bass skills with an impeccable solo.

Josh played a moving rendition on tenor of God Bless the Child before mood and tempo changed for the funky Eddie Harris number Cold Duck Time.

Stan Getz provided the inspiration for the rarely heard (these days!) bossa nova The Girl From Ipanema and a lively Sunny rounded off the first set.

The swinging blues number Things Ain't What They Used To Be started the second set before the band played the lovely Kern/Fields number A Fine Romance. I don’t think I’ve heard them do this one before.

Josh was again featured on tenor playing How Insensitive and with the fine Latin rhythm provided by the band it made for  a beautiful version.

Another funky number, Benny Golson's Killer Joe, again with fine solos all round, an uptempo take on Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite with the session finally being brought to a close by a fast version of Bryson/Goldberg's Flintstones Theme.

A successful start after the summer recess, with an approving and appreciative audience. A special thanks to both Josh and Garry for standing in at short notice.

Thanks as usual go to the staff at Dorman’s for making the jazz night possible. Ron Hampton

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