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

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Guido Spannocchi Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle - April 30

© Ken Drew
Guido Spannocchi (baritone sax); John Pope (double bass); Steve Hanley (drums)

Did you know it was International Jazz Day? UNESCO, founded in 1945, puts its weight behind the initiative, an initiative designed to showcase jazz to the wider world. There was the option of watching a livestream from Abu Dhabi (Herbie Hancock, Emmet Cohen and others) or getting along to the Globe for a triple bill culminating in a headline appearance by Guido Spannocchi. 

On the last day of April - the 30th (International Jazz Day) - the sun shone and so, the Globe it was. It just so happens, actually by design, Newcastle Jazz Co-op purchased the Globe on Railway Street on this very day eleven years ago. There have been many ups and downs over the years - memorable gigs, funding issues, unexpected repair bills etc - but this was a day to celebrate all things jazz. 

© Ken Drew
At around quarter past eight, Guido Spannocchi took to the stage almost exactly twelve months to the day when the Vienna-born, London-resident saxophonist made his debut here at Jazz Co-op HQ. A year ago Spannocchi played alto sax. We were expecting the same this evening, however, our man picked up a baritone sax. In the company of bassist John Pope and drummer Steve Hanley, GS would play two sets of original music. 

Last year we heard a quartet (Danny Keane's piano the chordal instrument) go to work on GS's tunes, this evening there was much space for the trio of Spannocchi, Pope and Hanley to make their mark: Pope's authoritative, distinctive sound to the fore, Hanley's creative accents and inventive patterns all the more prominent. All to the good. Spannocchi's facility on the 'big beast' impressed the select audience, at least two of the numbers were played last year - Uphill Blues and A Walkin Yoyogi Park - which enabled those present last year and this to compare and contrast the bandleader's approach and effectiveness on alto (2024) and baritone (2025). 

© Ken Drew
Earlier in the day (it was a mid-afternoon start) the early birds were in on a SH#RP Collective public rehearsal led by Lindsay Hannon, followed by a full set of modern jazz charts courtesy of several of the mainstays of the long-running weekly (Wednesday) Take it to the Bridge session. Russell       
at

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive