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 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: 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 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Splinter @ The Bridge - ACV (not AVC!)

Graeme Wilson (ten/bar), Mark Williams (gtr), Paul Edis (keys), Andy Champion (bs), Adrian Tilbrook (dms).
I must confess I approached tonight's SATB session with reservations. Admittedly the 5 musicians involved are among the brightest stars in the Jalaxy (intentional - jazz and galaxy get it?) but, knowing Andy and Graeme's predilection for Jazz Sans Frontieres I feared tonight could have been 'a Bridge Hotel too far' - for me at least..
And for awhile I thought my misgivings were justified. The music meandered somewhat with very little from Mark Williams which is like signing Wayne Rooney and putting him in goal. Paul Edis too seemed to be on the bench for much of the first half
However, it gradually built up to a climactic midway point with a dramatic baritone blast from Graeme on Well You Needn't that brought everything together. It was at this point I relaxed and let the waves of sound wash over me.
The second half was a whole different ball game - it was a let's go for it from the start mode resulting in some incredible solos, fantastic interplay by all five musicians, changes of mood and tempo; impossible to single anyone out they all played so fantastically free yet within a tight structure.
Congrats too to Cathy and John on their Ruby Wedding - jazz needs more supporters with the enthusiasm of these two.
Lance.

4 comments :

Hil said...

Hi Lance, thought I should mention its ACV.

Lance said...

Whoops! Thanks Hil - I will amend the error of my ways accordingly.

mark williams said...

Hi lance, thanks for review on album. Nice one. P.s. In ACV review i think the tune was Hackensack not Well you neednt. See ya soon. Mark

Lance said...

Hackensack it was! similarities though.
Think I'll go back to bed!

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