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

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.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: 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 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Preview: Swing Manouche @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Easter Day (April 21)

(Preview by Russell)

Following last month's hugely successful fundraising concert at the Black Bull it's back to business on Sunday (Easter Day) as Blaydon Jazz Club presents a treat for Djangologists - and jazz fans in general - with an appearance by Swing Manouche. 

Djangologist Mick Shoulder first came to prominence on the gypsy jazz scene as leader of Djangology (latterly known as Djangologie). Sold out concerts, an acclaimed album, bassist Shoulder could have rested on his laurels yet he chose to go in another direction, a direction not unfamiliar to Django Reinhardt.

An accomplished string bass player, Shoulder opted to play six strings, in the process recruiting Paul Grainger to take on the bull fiddle anchor role in his new outfit Swing Manouche. Rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Giles Strong joined our County Durham based Djangologist, making it two six-stringers, a bassist and the ever-popular Gavin Lee playing clarinet. 

A headline 'name' invariably pulls in the punters, none more so than that of Django Reinhardt. Add the names of Messrs Shoulder, Strong, Grainger and Lee to the publicity and you've got the makings of a full house. Don't forget that Sunday's concert at the Black Bull (Bridge Street, Blaydon NE21 4JJ) starts at the now regular, new time of 7:30pm. Pay on the door (actually pay at the bar, in the lounge), admission is a bargain £7.

Frequent bus services from/to Gateshead and Newcastle will get you to your destination in a matter of minutes with time to catch onward bus/Metro connections on your journey home. Leave the car at home (parking is available if you insist!) enjoy a pint of Black Sheep (your designated driver for the evening can 'enjoy' a soft drink!) and listen to some top class jazz at a grassroots club.
Russell           

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