Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Triptych @ The Cherry Tree, Jesmond


Paul Edis (pno); Paul Susans (bs); Rob Walker (dms).
(Review by Lance)
The name confused me. However, Mr Edis himself informed me that Triptych refers to a set of 3 tablets, painted panels etc. hinged together as per the picture on the left which wasn't taken at the Cherry Tree tonight. My initial thought had been something tripe related! Well I'm pleased to say that there was no 'tripe' on the menu either gastronomically or musically. 
Both the chef and the musicians aspire to, and indeed achieve, much greater things and when Paul Edis is cooking on stage the result is inevitably  haute cuisine at its hautiest.
I started with Smoked duck breast and blood orange salad and hazelnut purée which was almost as good a way to start the evening as How High The Moon in some strange time signature - I think Paul said 7/8! I've encountered drummers who play in 7/8 time but this, I'm sure, was intentional.
Brubeck's It's a Raggy Waltz, I think stuck with a ragged waltz time, Close to You, All Blues (Susans on double bass and not as pictured) all blended nicely with my main course of Roast rump of lamb, purple sprouting broccoli, gratin potatoes and a red current jus. Like the next tune, this dish was Miles Ahead!
For my dessert I chose Ginger and orange crème brulee with dark chocolate shortbread.
Triptych opted for an original, Dark Ages, which did indeed have a dark and doomy eastern feel to it. Percy Grainger's Country Gardens - so often used as a cadenza by jazz musicians and a favourite of pianists of all genres rounded off an enjoyable set.
Triptych - look out for the name which, to be honest, if I didn't know otherwise, wouldn't get me through the door. Shame, as they're an excellent trio - Trio, now there's a good name!
Lance.

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