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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Review - Mark Williams Trio : Balaclava Street

Anyone who didn't pick up Mark's CD after his recent trio gig at the Bridge faces a future of 'what might have been' and 'if only'. For make no mistake this is a very listenable disc by three of the best guys around.
Mark's versatility and ability to fit into whatever setting he is plunged is legendary but here, for 8 of the 10 tracks, it is Mark the jazzman - think of the Tal Farlow Trio and you're getting close.
The switcheroo occurs on track 6 - Cow Pat - here the pedals are pressed, the dials twiddled, a distortion unit comes into play and we're maybe into John Schofield mode. Still sounds good and it's a really catchy riff. The compelling Minor Detail also goes down this road and Mark's wild side emerges - loud, frenetic, yet never losing his inate musicality.
Back to normality for the title track. Balaclava Street is quite a lovely tune with just a hint of How Deep Is The Ocean about it.
Although this is Mark's album it is in effect a menage a trois by three consenting adults.
Paul Susans is one of the ever expanding number of quality north-east bassists capable of doing more than walking the dog. Paul's lines are integral to the whole thing.
Like Mark, David Carnegie's middle name is 'Ubiquitous' - try and remember a gig at The Bridge where neither of them were playing! On this disc David provides the power that keeps the other two on track as well as adding his own directives.
Track Mark down - he's not hard to find - and grab a copy whilst it's still around.
Lance.

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