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.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Birthday Party @ The Black Swan w. the Mo Scott Band.

Mo Scott (vocals); Gary Dunn (guitar); Neil Harland (bass guitar); Lloyd Howell (drums) + John Wilson (guitar).
(Review by Lance).

It was a fun night which is what birthday bashes should be. Sylvia, tonight's birthday girl, her partner and Black Swan owner Mike, put on a shindig that did her proud and was much appreciated by their assembled friends.

Music was provided by the Mo Scott Band and the northeast's number one blues mama was in good voice. This wasn't an arts venue in Newcastle, for one night only, it was a cellar blues bar in Chicago.

Apart from Mo, who strutted her stuff like the trouper she is, Gary Dunn gave a master class in blues guitar, that man for all seasons Neil Harland laid down a solid harmonic foundation whilst, behind the kit, Lloyd Howell was rock solid.

The first set was good but the earth didn't move until the second set which was rockier and soon, led by Sylvia and Mike (or was it Fred and Ginger - maybe not!), had the dancefloor awash with movers and groovers including members of Team Bebop.

Let the Good Times Roll, sang Mo and roll they did. Happy Birthday was sung and Knock on Wood knocked back the years for many of us.

John Wilson, not to be confused with the conductor of the same name, is another Tyneside guitar legend and his cameo appearance on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy proved that the magic is still there. Mo wasn't far off the mark when she announced him as John 'Scofield' Wilson.

However, overall, the night belonged to Sylvia - I can't believe she's 35 - looks much younger.
Happy Birthday.
Lance.
PS: Apart from the music, the buffet was superb, my compliments to the chef.

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