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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Friday, October 13, 2017

Binker & Moses @ GCT Jazz Club - October 12

Binker Golding (tenor saxophone) & Moses Boyd (drums)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).
(More photos)
They strolled out, unannounced, to a muted, but not indifferent, reception. Gosforth Jazz Club’s biggest audience yet, comprising graduates and undergraduates from Durham University, Sage Gateshead and Newcastle University and many others there to hear the current hot pick wasn’t
to be disappointed. Binker and Moses were in town and, for now, they can do no wrong.
Afterwards, walking to the Metro station, a young piano player of Jazz Café jam session renown remarked that tenor saxophonist Binker Golding has an amazing tone. Absolutely right! Golding can play, no question about it – as a member of Zara McFarlane’s band at Sage Gateshead the Tomorrow’s Warriors’ alumnus made a big impression. McFarlane’s drummer on that occasion? One Moses Boyd. The Londoners can play, big time! This stripped back tenor saxophone/drums set held the attention throughout. The duo have recorded two all analogue, all valve, albums cut on vintage lathes. This Gosforth gig held true to their ‘first take, no edit’ approach.
Binker stood side-on, looking directly across the stage at Moses ensconced behind his kit. Tenor sax and drums, full on, uncompromising yet accessible. Tracks from debut album Dem Ones (the vinyl is frequently on your reviewer’s deck) and Journey to the Mountain of Forever featured in the hour-long set. Binker’s tenor ratcheted up the tension, Moses’ immense technique propelling them  to ever-greater heights, one inspiring the other. Their musicality shone through, skillfully avoiding meandering, soul-less improv workouts. A calypso featuring Binker’s light as a feather tenor would have had the great Sonny Rollins dancing on the spot. Moses’ performance from beginning to end was a masterclass; groove, drum ‘n’ bass, a kicking bass drum recalling Elvin Jones and a hi-hat feature right out of the Max Roach book of percussion!

Archipelago: Faye MacCalman (tenor saxophone & clarinet), John Pope (bass) & Christian Alderson (drums)

Earlier, Tyneside trio Archipelago played a support set featuring material from their shiny, new CD Weightless. Describing themselves as ‘alt-rock-jazz’ the trio played numbers familiar from hearing them live and this GCT set went down well with a constantly growing crowd. Eye contact between the three musicians signalled agreed changes; Faye MaCalman’s tenor, never braying, steered a course which encouraged bassist John Pope and drummer Christian Alderson to up the ante; the ‘rhythm section’ revelling in being let of the leash, JP jumping on pedals, switching direction at will with Alderson all over it. Red Giant opened the set with the amiable MacCalman for the most part playing tenor. More Bamboo, Less Pandas rocked out and it was the eponymous Weightless with MacCalman opening on clarinet which offered a different perspective on Archipelago’s developing sound world.                                    Russell

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