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

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.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Alter Ego @ Ashington Jazz Club Jan. 7

Keith Robinson (alt);  Niall Armstrong (ten/fl);  Dave Hignett (tpt/flg);  Andrew Hawking (keys); Tony Abell (bs); Dave Francis (dms).
The attraction for me as a Jazz fan for almost 65 years is not only the music but also the manner in which it has evolved and developed over time and the creativity of the musicians who have pursued their ideas in changing the direction of the music. Each trend and style has appealed to many  who have adopted each innovation to their particular taste, whether this  be classic, swing, bebop, trad. modern or whatever label is put on it. This has been good for the music and given variety to the followers. The colourful and often crazy life styles of the musicians has also been of great interest.
With this in mind, we at the AJC have attempted over the years to provide variety on our stage for the members by introducing them to the variable forms.
Therefore, to open our New Year season the Alter Ego Sextet returned to our town to replicate the music of West Coast Jazz which was recreated with some style. The combo was a well oiled unit and gave an energetic and dynamic show of great arrangements interspersed with some disciplined  interplay and instrumental harmonies cleverly constructed. Art Blakey's Messengers would have been amazed by the skills and techniques of these admirable North East tribute guys. They gave us an evening to remember and a flavour of one of the acceptable diversions of the History of Jazz. A great little BIG Band.
PROGRAMME....Roll Call, In Walked Horace, Beatitudes, The Perpetrator, Grants Tune, Blues March, Wheel within a Wheel, Hit and Run, Coastal Breeze, Budini, Undertone, Karita, Mustard Mash, Sudden Samba,  A Bittadose.
NEXT MEETING AT THE AJC AT THE ELEPHANT ON FEBRUARY 4. AT 8.00 p.m.
                                           THE PAUL SKERRITT BAND.
See you there.
Peter S,

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