Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Album review: Kim Cypher - LIVE and Smiling (self released)

Tks I, 6, 9 (Cheltenham Jazz Festival): Kim Cypher (tenor/alto saxes); Ashley Slater (trombone); Chris Santo Cobbson (guitar); Alex Steele (piano); Rob Rickenberg (bass); Mike Cypher (drums).

Tks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (Peggy’s Skylight): Kim Cypher (tenor/alto saxes, vocals); Chris Santo Cobbson (guitar); Richard Hughes (piano); Mike Green (bass); Mike Cypher (drums).

Although Kim Cypher is a Cheltenham girl born and bred, 2025 was the first time she'd appeared on the Main Arena Stage. Indeed it was the first time that prestigious spot had been filled by a home grown artist despite Kim's years of championing jazz in Cheltenham. Needless to say that Kim takes this tide in her fortunes at the flood with a Latin jazz party that exudes love and happiness. Ashley Slater's trombone solos justified his featured billing.

For the six tracks from Peggy's Skylight* in Nottingham the mood was maintained. Cobbson's guitar impressed at both venues as did Kim's raunchy sax solos and her too few vocals. Solid rhythm section with Cypher the drummer catching the complex Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms to the manner born. Lance

Release date: July 11.

*Peggy’s Skylight is one of the venues that the community ownerships scheme Music Venue Properties is planning to purchase in their latest national campaign putting ownership of grassroots venues in the hands of a charitable community benefit society. MVP will set rent rates, ensure annual contributions toward essential maintenance, and ongoing support in areas such as financial sustainability and operational best practice. It is currently at about 50% of the £1.5m needed.

Boogie on Reggae Woman;  Recado Bossa Nova;  You’re Just in Love; Gonna be Alright, Gonna be OK; Samba de Orfeu; Highland Mike; Feeling Good; Bertie Bertie Bertie;  Chitlins Con Carne

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