Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 24: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. .

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
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: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Jam Session @ Salsa.


Jazz has always been a battlefield. Whether it be the swing/bop or the trad/modern confrontations of yesteryear or the petty squabbles of today when Jazz needs a united front more than it ever has.
These thoughts were uppermost in my mind when I paid a visit to the initial Sunday afternoon jam at the Salsa Café.
Sunday afternoon jams are part of the Jazz Legend!
I can relate back to the Bluebell in Felling where, every Sunday in the 1960s, Teddy Langston and Arthur Luke took on all-comers and usually sent them home crying! I recollect Paul Gowland's dad Alan, being one of those who bit the bullet and held his own playing some brilliant vibes.
On my honeymoon - We went to a Sunday lunchtime jam at the Tally Ho in Kentish Town - the jam session to end all jam sessions.
So today, a jam at Salsa, meant the tradition had been revived and it looked good.
On stage, John Rowland (ten); Karan Rann (sop); Chris Finch (pno); Dave Parker (bs); Peter Ninnim (dms) + 2 guitarists whose faces I recognised but couldn't put a name to - was one of them Billy Mills?
I looked around me, the band had a good groove going on one of those bop numbers you know backwards but can't click with a title! Jen Errington and Kath Jobes were poised with lead sheets at the ready. Paul Gowland was unpacking his tenor and yet - although there were folks at tables - where was the supposed vibrant jazz community Newcastle so often boasts about? Apart from myself and the performers, where were the fans?
Wherever they were hiding, they missed a treat.
Jen sang Imagination and East of the Sun - love the way she ends this one. The band did Well You Needn't and our BSH correspondent Kath impressed with Good Morning Heartache. Paul Gowland moved on stage to blow some tenor behind K on They Can't Take That Away From me. If K picks up sax the way she's getting into singing then look out!
The band blew Four without fours and John Rowland put the jam to bed with In a Sentimental Mood.
Special mention of the rhythm section - Chris, Dave and Peter were rock solid.
The jam's on again next week so bring your horn, your axe and your support.
Lance.


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