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

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Monday, November 07, 2016

CD Review: Jeff Collins - The Keys to Christmas

Jeff Collins (keys); Sam Levine (sax); Steve Patrick (flog/tpt); Jason Webb (B3) and others.
(Review by Lance).
The first and, hopefully not the last of the Xmas CDs - they make lovely place mats and drink coasters and, you can never get enough of them over the holiday period. The downside, of course, is you feel obliged to listen to them which could put a damper on any Christmas soiree.

This one is, mercifully, without any vocals and, in truth, quite easy listening. I say 'easy listening' without any malicious intent for that is what it is. Laid back, it's a jazzified mix of the familiar, the over-familiar and the rarely heard. In the latter category is The Man With the Bag - a catchy ditty that helped Kay Starr, who sadly, died this week, to buy her Christmas presents back in the early 1950s.
I suppose I'll maybe play it again on Christmas eve/day then file it away for next Christmas by which time another dozen will have come along. With all these extra place mats and coasters, I'll have to throw a bigger party next year...
Released on October 7 (shop early for Christmas) the album comprises the following tracks: Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Oh Come All Ye Faithful; Joy to the World; Baby It's Cold Outside; The Man With the Bag; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Linus and Lucy; Go Tell it on the Mountain; Mary Did You Know?; Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow; What Are You Doing New Year's Eve; Carol of the Bells; O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Lance.

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