Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Jazz Esquires @ The Porthole - Not Smooth Sailing.

Mick Hill (tpt), Terry Dalton (tmb), Tony Winder (ten/clt), Roy Gibson (pno), Robin Douthwaite (gtr), Stan Nicholson (bs), Laurie Brown (dms). + George Laing (pno), Miles Watson (vcl), Teresa Armstrong (vcl).
Going to the Porthole, is always a bit of an adventure for us 'southerners' involving, as it does, a ferry journey across the Tyne from South Shields to North Shields. Today's mini-cruise - all seven minutes of it - foretold of things to come as my legs felt distinctly rubbery as I walked down the gangplank and onto the ferry landing which was bobbing around somewhat more than usual.
However, by the time I'd walked the short distance to the waterfront pub equillibrum was returned.
The Jazz Esquires were on form today blowing in the manner of the old Lyttleton Band - the one with Skidmore, Temperley and Coe - on "In A Mellotone", "Doggin' Around", "Big Swing Face", "East of the Sun", "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to" and others of similar ilk.
Mick Hill had some Buck Clayton/Roy Eldridge inspired moments occasionally shooting for the stars and, at other times, delicately muted.
Trombone player Terry, he of the Dalton Dynasty, blew smooth with a rich Urbie Green-like tone whilst Tony Winder played good middle-period tenor.
Aided and abetted by a solid rhythm section that soloed well in their own right it made for an enjoyable afternoon.
During the interval George Laing, still recovering from his fall from a roof, limped exquisitely through "Tramp" and "Georgia" before Teresa sang some and Miles Watson hollored some blues choruses.
I left for the ferry with a spring in my step which, upon reaching the ferry landing turned once more into a rolling gait. I swear I thought the landing was going to capsize!
It was even worse on board as wind and wave tossed the ferry from port to starboard and back again. I half expected a band to strike up with "For Those In Peril on the Sea."
Amazingly the craft made it to South Shields and the passengers gave thanks for their deliverance.
Lance.

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