Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
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: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Friday, May 10, 2019

Keswick Jazz & Blues Festival: Michael McQuaid Trio - May 9


Michael McQuaid Trio: Michael McQuaid (clarinet, alto sax); Andrew Oliver (piano); Nick Ball (drums)
(Review by Russell)

Horniblow's Hot Three it said in the programme however David Horniblow was unavoidably detained in London (he'll arrive in Keswick Friday) and, by chance, Michael McQuaid was on hand to step into the breach. The London-based Aussie fronted the 'Michael McQuaid Trio' but this wasn't a last minute, thrown together outfit. Not only has McQuaid worked on gigs with pianist Andrew Oliver and drummer Nick Ball (two-thirds of Horniblow's Hot Three) as a trio they've released a CD and, conveniently, he brought along copies with him. 

The all-seats-taken Skiddaw Hotel mid-afternoon concert presented McQuaid with the opportunity to play numbers by some of his favourite clarinet players...nice work if you can get it! The roll call included Benny Goodman, Johnny Dowds, Barney Bigard, Pee Wee Russell, Darnell Howard and Leon Roppolo. The composers, the compositions, the instrumentalists referenced by McQuaid tripped off the tongue - Bix, Duke, Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Rex Stewart, Howdy Quicksell. 

Pianist Andrew Oliver plays piano in any style, from any era (the American gigged at Newcastle's erstwhile Jazz Cafe in the most contemporary of contemporary bands) and on this Keswick engagement he dazzled the room, frequently winning applause for his efforts. Nick Ball is a rarity - a young musician inspired to research and perform the music of the great early jazz drummers - and on this occasion offered a fascinating insight into the 'bock-a-da-bock' which was the prototype of the modern jazz drummer's hi-hat. Nick said he wished he owned one of the vintage pieces of handheld kit but in its absence, he made one himself! 

The tunes were largely familiar including I'm Walking Through Clover, Blues in Thirds, Lost in Meditation, Sorry, a couple of Ellington's many compositions (Lost in Meditation and Finesse) Willow Tree and Old Fashioned Girl. The festival was well and truly up and running. On to the next concert...             
Russell
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