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.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 - Concert reviews wanted.

This year's EFG London Jazz Festival is almost upon us and, for the first time in BSH's 17 years, we don't have anyone eagerly awaiting with notebook and pencil, or the digital equivalent, at the ready to review some of the shows.
 
This is unfortunate as the EFG is the Uk's biggest jazz festival running from Friday Nov. 15 to Sunday Nov. 24 with a whole host of concerts spread over various venues across London. So, if you are planning to attend one or more concerts and would like to submit a review please contact me: lanceliddle@gmail.com. Lance

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

I think this is interesting Lance that you have put this call out.

There is a wider point which I think marketing folk need to address.

Journalists who review gigs and so on are just seen by some as people to provide free plugs and big ups for artists and labels and so help boost gigs and recordings.

If someone thinks you are ''a marketing tool'' - which some people say and believe - then it tells a lot.

But the problem is that for a well meaning music journalist who writes well, knows their onions and so on and most are and do, putting in the time, covering their own costs (often quite a bit even when gig tickets are given to them free sometimes) and not getting paid by the publications because the publications can't afford to pay them the enthusiasm runs out after a while. Simply people can't afford to subside an event by doing something for nothing that is providing their skills and their time. It's not even a loss leader because they never will get anything back in the future by showing willing even. Unless something changes.

So the solution I think as a music fan and appreciator of journalism is that labels and organisations (I mean anyone with a budget to market product) need to support great blogs like yours so you can invest more in it yourself.

No one advertises much on blogs where there is decent content however and often pretty big readerships.

But the likes of major record companies spend lots on social media, employing people to be PRs, etc, etc.

By if they choose investing in journalism (indirectly by taking ads or sponsoring advertorials) will benefit them in the end more.

Readers trust independent editorial voices far more than sponsored and often costly some companies take out on Facebook.

Lots of food for thought and thanks for all you do.

Blog Archive