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

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

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.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Overture to A Jazzy Christmas @ Sage Gateshead - December 22

Whilst awaiting Ann's review of last night's 'A Jazzy Christmas' at Sage Gateshead I'd like to make a few observations on the event.
1) Paul Edis' arrangements were superb, breathing new life into some old chestnuts.
2) A lot of those 'old chestnuts' are jolly good tunes irrespective of the season. How could they not be with master craftsmen such as Irving Berlin and Mel Tormé at the helm?
3) A good jazz musician can make many a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Tonight's band, no doubt, have a drawer full of them.
4) Jingle Bells is, melodically speaking, more interesting than C Jam Blues.
5) This year's backline horns (drawn from Jambone) may well be next year's frontliners.
Lance
Photo by Jerry - more to follow with the official review!

7 comments :

Hugh said...

Yes, a good night! Agree with all your comments, especially regarding Paul's arrangments and the back row Jamboners. Could have done with the flute slightly nearer the mic, I thought - couldn't really hear it - heard the piccolo alright though!

Patrick Brennan said...

A wholly entertaining evening - hope it's repeated next year

Russell said...

Next year let's make sure that Paul's gig doesn't clash with the returning globe trotting superstars otherwise known as the Francis Tulip Quartet!

Jen said...

Good to see you up and almost running again Lance! Best wishes for a healthy 2018.

Steve T said...

Here here.

Steve T said...

The here here was for all above comments.

Paul Edis (on F/b). said...

Thanks Lance! Looking forward to the review. All the best for Christmas and the New Year, Paul

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