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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Jazz Café Jam Session - June 16.

Mark Williams, Bradley Johnston (gtrs); Paul Grainger (bs); Paul Wight (dms) + Paul Gowland (alt); Stuart Finden (ten); Joe Fowler (tmb/vcl); Dan? (gtr); Andrew Porritt (bs); Dimi, Matt MacKellar, Eric Stutt, Ian Forbes (dms); Dawn Furness (pno/vcl).
(Review by Lance)
Even without the guiding hand of Peter Gilligan this was another cracking night at 'The Caff' with Mark Williams steering the ship in the absence of Pete G.
It began sedately enough with a tasty I'll Be Seeing You by Mark and a couple of the Pauls (Grainger and Wight) that drew the type of polite applause that usually follows a shot through the covers at the Oval - "Oh well played sir".
Indeed 'Well played' was a phrase that was theoretically, albeit more vociferously, applied throughout the evening as the sitters in took to the stand.
Stuart blew some fine tenor despite drums being 'not quite his tempo' On Green Dolphin Street.
Mark and Paul Gowland blew a tricky bop head (Au Privave?). Bradley was in and out whilst one of Mark's students, Dan, suggested by way of his solos that he too was moving up the jazz guitar league table.
Andrew Porritt played bass whilst McKellar, Stutt and Forbes kept the drum chair warm.
A new face! Dawn Furness played piano and sang Basin Street Blues which sounded good - next time guys, find her a mic then I guess you'll really hear something!
As I left, Joe Fowler was blowing trombone, sounded like he was also singing Work Song (not simultaneously).
Back on July 7 - put it in your diary now!
Photos.
Lance.

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