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

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.

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.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Jazz in the Afternoon at the Crescent Club, Cullercoats.

Mike Durham (tpt/vcl); Barry Soulsby (clt/vcl/gtr); Brian Chester (tmb); Roly Veitch (bjo!); John Carstairs Hallam (tuba/bs); Jim McKeown (dms). + Don Armstrong (alt); Laurence McBriarty (tmb); Teresa Armstrong (vcl); John ? (vcl).
As befits a club in a seaside town on a Bank Holiday Monday, the Crescent Club was standing room only.
This is always a fun session made all the more enjoyable today by seeing Roly Veitch on banjo - Barney Kessel must be turning in his grave! In fairness, it has be said that Roly plays the infernal thing pretty damn good - just don't make a habit of it Roly - Blame It On My Youth won't sound quite the same!
Other quirky moments were Barry Soulsby playing guitar and singing Putting on the Style, Roy playing Black and White Rag on the venerable upright piano, Chester and McBriarty duetting on Indiana, Teresa singing Mean to Me and, last but not least, Don Armstrong blowing Rosetta.
Don, a pivotal figure of the 1950's Newcastle jazz scene, is over here from down under and taking the opportunity for a blow whenever the occasion arises. Nice middle period alto.
On trumpet and occasional vocal Mike Durham provides a strong lead whilst Jim McK and JC hold it all together. The latter allowed me a blow on the hot fountain pen he has just acquired - I told you it was a quirky day!
The day was also one of sadness for me but I may mention that later. Photos.
Lance.

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