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.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Jason Isaacs @ Bonbar, Newcastle - Sept. 27

Jason Isaacs (vcl/ten); Darren Irwin, Mark Webb (tpt); Dave Brock (tmb); Ray Dales (alt/fl); Lewis Watson (ten/fl); Stu Collingwood (keys); Neil Harland (bs gtr); Simon Ferry (dms).
(Review by Lance).
I'm running out of superlatives when it comes to Jason and the guys! As ever, the show moved along at a fast pace, the five horns sounding like fifteen, the rhythm section booting it like Basie and our man re-elected as King of the Swingers. And swing he did! Whether strutting on stage or boogieing on top of the bar, blowing tenor or telling awful jokes, he had the audience enthralled. The choicest of songs (apart from a certain Gershwin number) made this listener's night complete.
The songs: Lady is a Tramp; Ain't That a Kick in the Head; Mr Bojangles; Beyond the Sea; Come Fly with me; Why Don't You Do Right?; Cheek to Cheek; Summertime; One For my Baby; That's Life; Moon River; Minnie the Moocher; American Trilogy; Mack the Knife;
And that was just the first set!
Leroy Brown; Feelin' Good; It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't got That Swing). During this latter number the bartender mixed cocktails, throwing the shaker in the air and catching it, in perfect time to the music. Time for a Moon Dance and, as at another venue in the city, the dancers crowded the floor. Sway then the sax battle with Lewis on You're Indestructible followed by solo sax from Jayboy on Blue Monk. "A tune by Thelonious Monk" announced Jason leaving the younger element looking bemused! Can't Take my Eyes Off You; Suspicious Minds; Jump Jive; My Way and the inevitable New York, New York.
It had been quite a night.
Great music, good food and good company in the form of Coram and Evelyn - nice meeting you.
Lance.






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