Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

CD Review: John Martin – The Hidden Notes - Spirit of Adventure

John Martin (tenor saxophone), Ralph Wyld (vibraphone), Rob Updegraff (guitar), Tim Fairhall (double bass) & Tim Giles (drums)
(Review by Russell).
Two discs based upon the multiphonics and overtones of the tenor saxophone. A chance find of a big thick rich chord with 3 distinct notes in it led to John Martin exploring, and, after ten years, recording an album of tenor saxophone pieces with a quintet line-up. The result is The Hidden Notes – Spirit of Adventure.
Martin’s eleven compositions and three preludes straddle the world of free improvisation and tonal music. The quintet comprises musicians of elegance; Ralph Wyld is a model of restraint, so too Rob Updegraff. The vibes-guitar axis revolves around Martin’s taut lines with bass and drums – Tim Fairhall and Tim Giles – the epitome of tasteful musicianship.
The title track Spirit of Adventure is coiled, suspenseful, not quite prepared to take-off the handbrake. Much of the album is similarly reluctant to upset the listener. Publicity for the album suggests it even occasionally swings. One such occasion is the opening number on disc two; The Optimistic Pessimist certainly swings, thanks to drummer Tim Giles setting up and maintaining an irresistible pattern. The blues surface on Folklore; John Martin and Rob Updegraff create a simple, yet effective, call and response motif. Rob Updegraff is a fine player and is sure to be in demand touring and recording with a wide range of artists.
Giant’s Stomp first showcases Ralph Wyld’s swinging vibes playing, then Martin’s tenor, followed by an undemonstrative, brief solo from bassist Tim Fairhall and an equally brief Tim Giles in what amounts to a drum solo.    
John Martin’s band is drawn from Royal Academy and Guildhall alumni. Musicianship is of the highest order. The album was recorded at the Fish Factory by Ben Lamdin on July 29 and 30, 2015.                             
Russell.
John Martin The Hidden Notes - Spirit of Adventure is released on the F-IRE label on June 10, catalogue no. F-IRE CD 92. The John Martin Quintet tours England (with one date in Wales at Dempsey’s, Cardiff, June 22) throughout the summer starting on June 7 at Parrjazz in Liverpool, calling in at Newcastle Jazz Café, Friday, July 1.       
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