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.

Friday, June 05, 2015

Ashington Jazz Club Celebrating Thirty Years Of Wonderful Music.

James Harrison (keyboard), Anthony Ord (bass), Tom Chapman (drums) and  Ray Dales (alto saxophone). (Review/photo by Peter S).
Ashington Jazz club was born in June of 1985 when a group of enthusiasts decided to meet on a monthly basis to listen to the music we love and so the dream began at the North Seaton Hotel now known as the Elephant.  No one could have believed then that 30 years on the Club would still be attracting great musicians to the town. To celebrate the achievement John Taylor suggested a mini Jazz Festival at locations across the town. With support from Ashington Council and with the direction and drive from John the Festival became a reality.
It was appropriate to arrange the first event at the AJC on the regular first Wednesday of the month of June. The James Harrison Trio accepted the invitation and introduced Saxophonist Ray Dales on his first visit. Never let it be said that in Jazz Music there is a shortage of respect among the young for the older generation of musicians. Throughout the development of the music there have been many small groups who have made an everlasting mark in influencing styles and tastes. To name but a few the small Goodman groups, Brubeck, M.J.Q., Shearing, Peterson, Manhatten Transfer and Davis all inspired positive responses from the listening public. There are many more we admire and applaud.
The James Harrison Trio – a collective of very young musicians have formed a good working relationship with Ray, 50+ years older and a blend of music like rum and coke. The respect for each other is evident and the joy of working together produced an exciting musical evening for all.  The quartet exploded onto our stage attacking the music with a grand opening tune. From that moment onwards the experience reverberated throughout the evening with excitement, crescendos and amazing improvisations. The participation of all the musicians in the most technical and lyrical compositions was breath taking. The energy and joy of performance was written on their faces and on behalf of AJC I applaud your contribution to a memorable evening for our CLUB.
Music – Secret Love, Summer Samba (so nice), There’ll Never be Another you, My Foolish Heart, Four, Sunny, That’s All, Misty, Our Day Will Come, Southern Samba, Blue Monk, St. Thomas, Cherokee.
Peter S.
Next Meeting Wednesday July 1st. At 8.00 p.m.   See you there.   

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