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

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.

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: 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.

Monday, October 03, 2011

Claire Kelly Quartet @ The Cherry Tree

Claire Kelly (vcl); Stuart Findon (ten); Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs).
There are many skills in life that I have yet to acquire and one of these is dealing with Grilled Gambas. These monsters of the deep come encased in a shell that would do credit to an Armadillo making the consumption of the delicacy a skill that can only be acquired through years of practice. It is worth the effort though as, when served with Piri Piri Butter and Garden Leaves, it is a very tasty starter indeed.
Also very tasty tonight was Ms Kelly in a gown that matched the backdrop.
Lots of good tunes including; All or Nothing at All; I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face (duo with Mark); Stella By Starlight; Love me or Leave me; I'm Beginning to See the Light, Benny Golson's Whisper Not and my favourite Jobim song - Aqua de Beber.
For my main course I opted for Pork Loin with Stewed Peppers, Olives and Fondant Potatoes. The Stewed Peppers were appropriate as, on stage, Stu Findon was blowing tenor like Art Pepper occasionally did. Both were very digestible!
After the interval, things moved up a gear. The balance was better and, with the old Sinatra favourite At Long Last Love, the swinging became serious and with Andy and Mark who needs a drummer?
Blackberry Tart and Almond Ice Cream was cool and so was Blossom Dearie's Rhode Island is Famous For You. The Cherry Tree, of course, is famous for good food and good music and tonight was no exception although next time I'll start with soup!
Lance.

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