Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

Sat 28: Boys of Brass @ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R&B Allstars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Free.

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

Friday, March 21, 2025

King Bees @ Cumberland Arms, Newcastle - March 20

Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, vocals); Dominic Hornsby (piano, vocals); Ted Harbot (double bass); Giles Holt (drums) + Ron Seymour (guitar); Eric Booth (harmonica, vocals); Dave Kennedy (guitar); Mick Cantwell (vocals, tenor sax)

I been drinkin'...King Bees like to have a pint. For these guys a gig is a sociable thing, musicians and audience are one of a kind with a liking for the blues and booze. An Allendale stout, salted peanuts would follow, table bagged, we were all set to listen to the best Chicago blues band east of the Windy City. 

Publicity for this occasional blues and booze session stated '7:30pm 'til late'. At a little before half past eight King Bees took to the stage, Michael Littlefield saying they would play for half an hour or so before inviting any fellow musicians in the audience to join them. This being King Bees it was close on one hour later before guitarist/vocalist Littlefield said they would take a short break. Typically King Bees!

Littlefield, co-frontman Scott Taylor (harp & vocals), Dom Hornsby (piano), rock steady bassist Ted Harbot and ace drummer Giles Holt cannot help but put on a tremendous show. Vocals to die for, guitar and harp of the spine-tingling variety, here at the Cumberland Arms perched high up on the Lower Ouseburn, we could just as easily have been down on Chicago's Southside.

From the jump blues of Caldonia to You Got Me Cuckoo Baby (Littlefield's vocals), King Bees were on it. Dom Hornsby takes the occasional vocal, this evening, Kansas City, a favourite of the band's rollickingly good pianist. The evening's guests were invited to join in the fun. Veterans Ron Seymour and Eric Booth enjoyed themselves, Freddie King's I'm Tore Down particularly well received. Mick Cantwell possesses one of the finest blues voices, this evening he didn't disappoint, he never does. Blowing some mean tenor sax (guitarist Dave Kennedy alongside), it's the voice, that's what we wanted to hear. Magnificent. 

As the big hand approached the witching hour, King Bees went out on Got My Mojo Working. The band's gigs are few and far between, often announced at short notice. Next time you see one in the listings, drop everything and go. Russell

No comments :

Blog Archive