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

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: 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 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.

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Greg Abate w. Paul Edis Trio @ The Lit and Phil. November 7.

Greg Abate (alt/fl); Paul Edis (pno); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).
(Review by Lance/photos by Ken Drew.)
Where were you? The room should have been jam packed with wall to wall saxophone players (not to mention pianists, bassists and drummers). Every person who ever wore shades and a beret, dug Bird, Cannonball, Art, Paul, Phil, the three Sonny's and all the other bop and post bop players should have been queuing ten deep from the Lit and Phil to the other end of the High Level Bridge. This was it! This is what jazz is all about! You stayed in? well I only hope she was worth it!
Greg Abate's third visit to Newcastle was, possibly his best yet musically speaking, a few more bums on seats would have been desirable but, nevertheless, there were enough and did those posteriors that made the effort enjoy it?
I'll say they did!
This was an in-house demo of how to play alto saxophone (and flute) by an American virtuoso who can swing the ass off just about any cat on the Planet Earth.
Tonight, at the Literary and Philosophical Society, Abate expounded musical wisdom via a Selmer alto saxophone - his playing was truly incredible. Next time that the Down Beat Poll comes around remember the name - Greg Abate Alto Sax  category.
Paul Edis, had he been American, would surely have been up there too because tonight our Mr PE proved himself world class material. We've secretly known it for years but tonight he cut it good! Adam and Mick did the business and also did it good. My guess is that Greg has encountered more than a few rhythm sections in The States that couldn't hold a candle to these guys.
Gig of the Year contender!
Floated home on a cloud (no. 27)
Lance.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

I think the trio are every bit as good as the guest and that's saying something. Great!
Roly

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