Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Charlie Parker was my introduction to the religion of music. And so he's always with me .'' - Downbeat November 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

17950 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 914 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Nov. 7).

From This Moment On ...

November

Sat 08: Durham Alumni Big Band @ Number One Bar, Darlington. 12 noon. Free.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm.

Sun 09: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free. RESCHEDULED TO NOV. 16 OWING TO ILLNESS
Sun 09: Salty Dog @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:30pm (doors). Jazz, blues, Americana.
Sun 09: Graham Hardy’s Eclectic Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Sun 09: David Gray’s Flextet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 11: Laura Jurd @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. 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: Thu 04: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Seasonal/Festive Music & Songs - autumn into winter.
Thu 13: Awen Ensemble @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £5.00. Jazz-folk.
Thu 13: SwanNek + Ellen Beth Adbi + Phantom Bagman @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. A BBC Introducing event.

Fri 14: Dan Johnson Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 14: Giles Strong Quartet @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
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: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £32.00.
Fri 14: Guisborough Big Band @ Saltburn Golf Club. 7:30pm. £12.00 (inc. pie & peas). SOLD OUT!

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

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Alan Barnes & John Hallam with the Tom Kincaid Trio @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Feb.1

Alan Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); John Hallam (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Tom Kincaid (piano); Dave Tomkins (double bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

The third and final concert of Alan Barnes' flying visit to the region attracted a large crowd. In excess of one hundred fans turned out as Barnes reunited with John Hallam at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. Our duo met up with the Tom Kincaid Trio in time for a half past twelve start. 

Barnes (AB) and Hallam (JH) opened on clarinet - As Long As I Live (Harold Arlen), followed by Oh, Lady Be Good! (George Gershwin). The Larchfield Street audience liked what it was hearing - more GASbook than N'Awlins, but, when these guys are on stage, no one but no one can fail to like what they play! Cole Porter's What is This Thing Called Love? maintained the highest of standards (AB, alto, JH, tenor) and it was a joy to listen to a top class trio - Messrs, Tom Kincaid, Dave Tomkins and Eryl Roberts.  

In a Mellotone heard both AB and JH on baritone sax, our duo demonstrating their facility on the big beast(s). Whether alto, baritone or clarinet (AB) or tenor, baritone or clarinet (JB), whichever instrument they chose to play, this early afternoon concert was nothing short of a masterclass. 

Second set: Johnny Hodges' Sideways (AB as Hodges!), the two clarinets on Pee Wee's Blues (by chance, the following day, the number would feature on JRR), the two baritones on I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart, the baritones again on Bernie's Tune (excellent solos across the band), we could have listened late into the night to Barnes, Hallam and co. However, these guys are busy bees. An excellent Flamingo (AB, alto, JH, tenor) and then they were thinking of getting away - Boston Spa Jazz Club was calling! 

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's first concert promotion of the year couldn't have gone any better. Next month (Saturday 1 March), DNOJC favourite TJ Johnson returns with his full band. Russell                        

No comments :

Blog Archive