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.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

My Heart Belongs to Darlo! PAUL EDIS SEXTET at OPUS 4 JAZZ CLUB (The Travellers’ Rest, Darlington)

Paul Edis (piano), Mick Shoulder (bass), Adam Sinclair (drums), Chris Hibbard (trombone), Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugel), and Graeme Wilson (sax) Our first time at Opus 4 and what a great atmosphere: a friendly welcome; a big room well-populated with people who know their jazz; a half-time raffle; massive photos of jazz greats looking down approvingly from the walls and (a final attraction?) cask “Magnet” on in the bar! And then there’s the music…. The band’s talent as arrangers was showcased by the opening My Heart Belongs to Daddy (arr Mick Shoulder) which was followed by Graham Wilson arrangements of Autumn in New York and Una Poca Loca. Later it was back to Mick for his arrangement of Softly – as in a Morning Sunrise, during which he worked up a sweat on one of the best received solos of the evening. Elsewhere, Chris Hibbard featured prominently on Being With You and the beautiful Black Orpheus and the band as a whole (their talent as musicians was showcased all night!) did justice to In a Sentimental Mood and Out of Nowhere. There was a lot of fresh material tonight – at least four originals from Paul getting a first airing, as far as I know. Dedicated to jobsworths the world over, the “New Orleansy” (Paul’s words) Administrate This! featured pumped up bass from Mick, a muted trumpet solo from Graeme, and Adam being turned loose near the end to shake the windows and rattle our brains! Put a Lid On It was “Monk inspired” and, after a quirky piano intro, featured solos from Graham, Graeme and Paul. The “African influenced” Sharp 9/8 (sorry, Paul if I heard that wrong!) was infectiously rhythmic with outstanding drumming from Adam throughout and a scorching solo from Graham Wilson. The final number, Blues for Dad, gave everyone a chance to strut their stuff and ended with cries of “more!” which were rewarded with a “kamikaze” blast of Graham Wilson’s Up Late by way of an encore. WOW! Not sure what the Shadows were on about all those years ago with Stars Fell on Stockton – if it’s jazz you want, go to Darlo!

Blog Archive