Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18361 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 215 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 8 ), 25

From This Moment On ...

March

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free

Thu 12: Boomslang @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Fri 13: Paul Skerritt Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00.
Fri 13: The SH#RP Collective @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Soothsayers + Rookie Numbers @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.

Sat 14: The Too Bad Jims @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. R&B.
Sat 14: NUJO @ Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union. Time TBC. £15.00. supporter; £10.00. standard; £5.00. student. Seated event.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: The Too Bad Jims @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. £12.00. R&B.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Rebecca Poole @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Poole w. Dean Stockdale & Ken Marley. CANCELLED!

Mon 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums).

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, March 08, 2019

CD Review: Doug Raney & Nicolai Gromin - There Will Never Be Another You

Doug Raney & Nicolai Gromin (guitars)
(Review by Lance).

Recorded live at Sabine's Cafeteria in Copenhagen on July 6, 1993, There Will Never be Another You showcases two outstanding guitarists - both now sadly departed making this a valuable addition to their legacy.

Raney, son of guitar legend Jimmy Raney, followed very much in his father's footsteps playing in a crisp hornlike manner.

Doug Raney settled in Copenhagen, after accompanying his father on a  tour in 1977. The following year he met Moscow-born Gromin and they worked together regularly. They died within a year of each other in 2017.

Jimmy Raney recorded There Will Never Be Another You in 1952 when he was a member of the Stan Getz Quintet. Doug's solo on the same tune would have slotted easily into the earlier version. Like father like son and, in this case, there is no greater compliment to either, both having developed the ground rules laid down by Charlie Christian.

By contrast with the cool, bright, west coast sound of Raney, Gromin's tone is darker leaning more towards Jim Hall and Wes M and making for a delightful blend with neither overshadowing the other. The intricately interwoven lines are compelling. Solo and comping duties are interchanged with both players being easily identifiable. For those in doubt, Raney can be heard on the left channel and Gromin on the right.

A delightful set that will be especially appealing to northeast fans of Veitch & Strong, Birkett & Johnston, Williams & McCullough or perhaps any permutation of those six fine fretters.
Lance.
Something's Up (Doug Raney); My Funny Valentine; There Will Never Be Another You; Nardis; Ask Me Now; Cherokee; Estate; Blues For Thad (Nicolai Gromin).
Available March 22 on Stunt Records  STUCD18062

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