Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Sunday, July 06, 2025

Sarah Meek with the Dave Cottle Trio: The Louis & Ella Music Show @ Saltburn Community Hall – July 4

Sarah Meek (vocals); Dave Cottle (trumpet, keys, vocals); Keith Peberdy (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

All the way from South Wales, Dave and Sarah brought their Louis and Ella show to Saltburn Jazz Club, backed by a local rhythm section. A thoroughly entertaining evening, full of great musicianship from all those involved. Although the set list comprised, in the main, of items from the Great American Songbook, there were some nice arrangements and a couple of originals, though Dave admitted some of the sheets were from his big band (Tower of Gower), but this didn't faze the trio.

Sarah showed a wide range of vocals whilst Dave, not only sang and played keyboards, but also played Armstrong style trumpet, usually whilst accompanying himself on the keyboard. At one point he told us, "Tonight Matthew, I will be Oscar Peterson and Louis Armstrong", and he was as good as his word. Abbie and Keith did a fine job of providing the rhythm as well as taking some excellent solos.

Big thanks to the volunteers at Saltburn Arts who organise these monthly gigs. Ian Hodgson

Set list (partial): Stomping at the Savoy; Cheek to Cheek; My Funny Valentine; They Can’t Take That Away From me; I've Got my Love to Keep me Warm; Question of Love (an original); Tea for Two; Someone to Watch Over me; The Lady is a Tramp; Let's do it; Let's Call the Whole Thing Off; That Old Black Magic; What a Wonderful World.

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