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

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: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
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.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Mark Williams Trio @ Hoochie Coochie

Mark Williams (gtr); Paul Susans (bs); Richard Brown (dms).
My heart said Blaydon and Ray's Big Band but logistics in the form of one bus as opposed to bus/metro and early departure decreed that Hoochie Coochie it was. Sorry Roly but it really was a tough call I hope it went well for you.
Mark Williams is, and I'm sure Roly will agree, a phenomenal guitarist who should be rated alongside any guitarist in the world. Someone tell me the difference between Mark and Scofield or whoever!
Tonight the amiable Irishman demonstrated that technique in no small measure tearing off chorus after chorus on a variety of, mainly original, tunes. Alongside Mark, Paul Susans - on bass guitar tonight -, provided the perfect foundation for the leader's fanciful flights as well as chipping in with his own. On drums, Richard Brown soloed with much aplomb and a well-attended Hooch showed their appreciation.
This is the place to be on a Thursday.
Next week Legohead.
Photos courtesy of Kaveh Emami.
Lance.

1 comment :

Roly said...

No doubt about it Mark is a very special player. I hope he gets the wider recognition he deserves. Its not just the exciting solo building facility, it goes much deeper than that. He brings to his music a gripping sense of drama that compels you to listen. From gentle, lyrical introductory stages building into exhilarating climax. An emotional roller coaster you might say. And underpinned by compositions of high quality that I know, having talked to Mark, are something he works on for a long time before performing them in public. In other words REAL compositions.
Some players touch your soul in a special way - Mark has that innate ability.
Roly

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