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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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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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