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.

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Henry’s Swing Club @ The Brandling Villa. January 5

(Review by Russell)
Metro delays, fast-flowing rivers of water where footpaths and roads were once under foot, the end of the world is just round the corner. Quick! Let’s take refuge in here. A pint of the Firebrick Brewery’s Tyne 9, a prime seat and a look around to see who was   in the house. The Brandling’s finest bluesmen were tuning-up, drinking-up (the first of many) and punters were out in force considering it was the end of the world and all that.
The Lounge Lizards got right to it. Hoochie Coochie Man, a false-starting Kansas City, guitar riffs and wailing harps, the end of the world would have to wait. Young Alex sat patiently, eventually getting the call. Three killer numbers – Red House, All Along the Watchtower then Hey Joe confirmed he could play. The legend that is Mr Brian Lynam sat with a pint, chatting with fellow musos. His turn would come and what a turn! Band line-ups were frequently changing and Lynam got up to sing St James’ Infirmary to the guitar accompaniment of Robin Douthwaite. Lynam sang some Nat Cole saying Forgive me, Nat!
Robert Johnson, T-Bone, Bo Diddley chug-a-chug-a-chug riffs, Little Walter. Harmonica demons were out in force, this being the South Side (of Gosforth). One such demon – the man known as Tommy – sat-in on drums, then bass, then blew the meanest harp! Talent? In spades! If this was to be the end of the world, then what a way to go! Just time to catch the last boat to Newcastle Central.  
Russell.             

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