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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Watson Walker Edis @ The Lit & Phil. May 10, 2013


Lewis Watson (tenor saxophone), Rob Walker (drums) & Paul Edis (piano)
(Review by Russell - Photo by Jerry)
Another in the monthly lunchtime series of jazz gigs at the Lit & Phil and another full house. For some reason the jazz public has taken to the city centre venue from the get go; central location, a warm welcome from the Lit & Phil’s staff, quality bottled beers, tea, coffee and…top class jazz. It isn't rocket science, simply jazz.
The trio of Watson Walker Edis made its debut at the Lit & Phil something like two years ago and since then a further four or five performances (in Newcastle and at the recent Gateshead International Jazz Festival) have garnered glowing reviews. And so to this latest outing. Tenor saxophonist Lewis Watson was at pains to point out that the music was ‘difficult’, that melody would become apparent should the listener ‘stick with it’. Central to the performance was the spirit of Albert Ayler.
Compositions were shared between the three musicians. Two pieces - On the Plus Side (comp. Edis) and Bells 2 (comp. Walker) - played without a break, opened the programme, Watson’s rich, full tenor sound is that of the consummate working musician, drummer Rob Walker, perhaps best described as a ‘musicians musician’, exudes taste. A ‘listening’ player, reading the parts, creative and expressive, Walker is the perfect fit in this trio.
The Albert Suite, comprising nine parts, ran for something like forty five minutes. On In the Ether Walker played with open hand - palms, fingertips, then forearm, elbow, palm, fingertips. This was a superb demonstration of the art of the percussionist. Pianist Paul Edis immersed himself in the music, creating motifs, ascending, descending, as Watson’s authoritative tenor delved deep into Ayler territory. Carried on the Wind (comp. Edis) and another Edis composition - Rumbles - drew the best from Watson, then, the heart of the concert - Albert (comp. Watson) - drew the breath from the composer. Sustained intensity covering the free landscape sculpted by Coltrane and Ayler reaffirmed Watson’s pre-eminence in the ranks of the great tenor players. Watson Walker Edis perform together rarely. Each occasion is a treat.
Watch out for their next gig. If there is any justice then a CD recording should document the work of this trio. Gig of the year. 
Russell.                  

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