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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Sat 14: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 14: Big Joe Louis + Michael Littlefield @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00. Jumpin’ Hot Club.
Sat 14: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Trio + Jason Holcomb. Free.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Wild Women of Wylam @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Jasper Lo + Daniel Chandler Trio @ Little Buildings, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £7.00. + bf.
Mon 16: Joe Steels Group @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. A Blue Patch album tour.

Tue 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £9.50. Tickets: 0191 237 3697. ‘Jazz ‘n’ Pancakes’.
Tue 17: John Pope & John Garner @ The Great Hall, Sutherland Building, Northumbria University. 1:15pm. Free. Double bass & violin.
Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums).

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

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

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church - Feb. 13

Noel Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums)

Bishop Auckland Jazz is on the up. This afternoon's concert drew a record attendance and little wonder with trumpeter Noel Dennis the main attraction. Working alongside Dean Stockdale (piano), Mick Shoulder (bass) and drummer Tim Johnston, the quartet opened with The Good Life. 

A longtime admirer of fellow trumpeter Tom Harrell, it wasn't surprising Teesside's trumpet ace, switching to flugelhorn, chose to revisit Moon Alley. Warm-toned, measured, it's a staple in Dennis' set. Military medium swing brought in Nostalgia in Times Square. Foot-stomping Mingus! 

This being the eve of Valentine's Day, Dennis thought it apposite to play a couple of numbers supposedly associated with the occasion. My Funny Valentine (Dennis on flugelhorn) passed muster, Love for Sale, in terms of sentiment, didn't, the latter's lyrics addressing a wholly different subject! Moving swiftly on...

All Blues, as suggested by a loyal Bishop Auckland Jazz supporter, worked well - Dean Stockdale inventive, Mick Shoulder quietly effective, likewise Tim Johnston.The hour was almost up. The Noel Dennis Quartet went out on a sparkling Au Privave. 

The next Bishop Auckland Jazz concert is a last minute 'special'. On Friday 27 February, the great Alan Barnes will be in town. One o'clock start, a tenner on the door (card or cash). The bookies aren't taking any more bets, they reckon it'll be another record attendance. Russell

Set list: The Good Life; Moon Alley; Nostalgia in Times Square; My Funny Valentine; Love for Sale; All Blues; Au Privave. 
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