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

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.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Jazz Café Jam Session - February 21

Mark Williams (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Michael Lamb (trumpet); Vince Webb (piano); Alex Moniakis (guitar); Paul Gowland (soprano).
(Review by Lance).
Possibly because it was half-term, there were fewer jammers than usual this week. However, although lacking in quantity, there was no shortage of quality which meant that those who did play had more opportunity to shine rather than the normal wham bam thank you, ma'am, next please situation that inevitably occurs.
Thus, after a few numbers, the trio were joined by Michael Lamb who, no doubt inspired by Saturday's big band session with Bruce Adams, was on fire. I Love You; Long Ago and Far Away and September in the Rain were right on the money. Vince Webb, last here on that memorable evening when Eric Burdon's backing band turned up,  sat in on piano for Days of Wine and Roses and Tadd Dameron's Ladybird. Impressive!
Good to see Paul Gowland back in action, testing the water on soprano alongside a first-timer, Greek guitarist, Alex Moniakis. Moniakis, a student of Mick Wright and yet another fine guitarist slotted in nicely for Just Friends. Vince returned and Russ displayed dexterity a-plenty in his drum solo.
Gowland can play a ballad as good as anyone and Darn That Dream was no exception. Likewise young Vince.
Lamb returned for Billie's Bounce and Secret Love after which I reluctantly left for the legendary number 27 bus.
One of those evenings where less was more!
Photos.
Lance.
PS: Special mention of Russ and Paul [Grainger] who played without respite.

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