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.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

CD Review: Mads Mathias - Free Falling.

Today, being That centenary, it seems appropriate that I mention a CD featuring a keeper of the flame who upholds the tradition without losing his individuality.
Mads Mathias is as Danish as Lurpak and as American as any singer/saxophonist working the GASbook side of the street. The difference is that these are, all but one (Sugar), his own compositions that he is adding to that infinitesimal work.
Inspired by such singers as Nat Cole, Sinatra (natch!) and Harry Connick Jr., Mathias has a style that possibly relates more to Mel Tormé, Joe Mooney. Jon Hendricks or Kurt Elling - perhaps even Gregory Porter. So relaxed and cool it's hard to imagine that he lost three fingers in a car accident when he was only 17 and yet was able to return to sax playing when the hand was rehabilitated!
The backing ranges from a 25 piece orchestra to duo via quintet - many tracks are also arranged by Mads.
One of the most exciting singer/songwriters to emerge. I thought the book of Moon songs had been long closed but, The Man in the Moon is worthy of comparision with any of them!
Mathias returns to the UK in February playing the following venues:
Friday 5th – The Cinnamon Club, Manchester – 7.30pm
Saturday 6th – 
Southport Melodic Jazz Club at The Royal Clifton Hotel – 11am
Sunday 7th – 
Seven Jazz in Chapel Allerton, Leeds 1.30 – 4pm
Friday 12th – 
Lighthouse, Poole – 8pm
Saturday 13th – 
Pizza Express Jazz Club, London – 7pm
Saturday 13th – 
Pizza Express Jazz Club, London – 10pm
Sunday 14th – 
Pizza Express Music Lounge, Maidstone.
Lance.

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