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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

Splinter @ The Bridge Jam Session

Alan Law (pno); John Pope (bs); Jonathan Myatt (dms) + a cast of thousands.
(Review by Lance)
I remember some years ago at a musical instrument trade fair in London enjoying listening to an afternoon jam session. It was pleasant enough until a black guy sat in on drums. He was some drummer. "Somebody said, "He's playing with Dizzy at Ronnie's." I replied "Sorry mate but Dizzy's drummer is so and so and he's a white guy." My acquaintance replied "He's not Dizzy's drummer - he's the bass player!"
We had a similar situation tonight when Andy Champion sat behind the kit for Mr PC. - Andy may be ace on bass but he's also pretty fit on kit!
Possibly the best number of the night It could have been re-named Mr PG after Paul Gowland's opening blast. Mark Williams was in there pitching and a few others wandered in an out.
The evening began with Bradley Johnston augmenting the Alan Law Trio with There Will Never be Another You. Bradley kicked ass on this one as did Alan Laws Anthropology reminded us that this was Peter Gilligan's "signature dish" and they did the now London based pianist proud.
Chris Finch took over the piano stool for It Could Happen to You enlivened by a vocal from Dave Weisser.
Next up flautist Sylvia for an impressive bossa, Bassist Graham had a knock on a blues before Sylvia was joined by Dave Weisser (see photo by Mike Jamieson) and John Rowland (tenor) for Mose Allison's I Love the Life I Live.
A lady whose name I didn't catch sang Ain't Misbehavin' then the girl who stopped the show at the last jam, Julija Jaicenaite sang a couple including a mind blowing All of Me that had most of the jammers jamming along including Sarah Travena on soprano and Jeff Armstrong on drums.
Dave returned for Senor Blues blowing flugel alongside Sarah and John Rowland.
Lindsay Hannon sang God Bless the Child adding a touch of Sunday reverence to the proceedings.
It had been an excellent service and the congregation showed their appreciation.
Special mention for the house trio of Alan Laws, John Pope and Jonathan Myatt who were simply magnificent handling whatever came up.
Photos
Lance.

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