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 Festival: Paul Skerritt Band.

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (keys); John Pope (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).
The forecast said "Hot" so it was on with the shades and off with the sweater. What they didn't mention was the bitter cold breeze that swept down Ashington's Station Rd for this open air, Ashington Jazz Festival gig.
Nevertheless, fortune shines on the brave and the Scope charity shop  was having a closing down sale - everything £1.
One warm sweater later I was ready - best £1 I've ever spent, particularly as the Paul Skerritt Band were thrown in free - sale of the century!
Despite the inclement weather and the acoustical vagaries associated with open air gigs, it was a cracking afternoon.
Paul was in good voice with James, Tom and dep bass John Pope at the top of their game.
Their usual program, standards and jazzified pops, is always entertaining not least because of the enthusiasm they show for the job in hand and the fact that they make it sound fresh every time.
So, we had; Come Fly With me; I'm Beginning to See the Light; Black and Gold; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; My Lonely Days Are Gone; All About the Bass; Cheek to Cheek; I Wanna Be Like You; It Con't Mean a Thing; Sway; I Feel good; American Boy/Girl; Orange Coloured Sky; Let the Good Times Roll - for the two latter numbers Paul went walkies including popping into a nearby boutique still singing!
As per he finished off with Play That Funky Music White Boy.
A splendid session and, would you believe it? driving back the sun started shining and I was stuck in a traffic jam!
Still, well worth it.
The festival concludes tomorrow night in the YMCA with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band.
Lance.

2 comments :

Paul Skerritt (on F/b) said...

Thanks Lance! And you are accurate, it was like a wind tunnel down there! Great fun though.

Peter S said...

Hi Lance, thanks for your accurate review on the afternoon event. this
windy city lived up to its reputation for variable weather conditions.
That apart the music was good.
Peter S.

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