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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Wigan then Durham, no rest for (the wicked) Tony Eales


(Review by Russell/Eales)

Does the bloke never stop? BSH's County Durham correspondent Tony Eales spent four days at the Wigan Jazz Festival then, within hours of arriving home, made a b-line for the Durham Brass Festival. 

TE has attended the Wigan event for more years than he cares to remember yet, with real enthusiasm, filed a report suggesting Wigan 2019 was as good a year as any. A new venue, stick with the same tried-and-tested formula - book some of the best bands around, both big bands (it's what Wigan is all about) alongside some top quality small combos - and reap the rewards in the shape of many near-capacity and several sell-out shows.   

TE reckons Wigan's closing Louis Dowdeswell Big Band concert couldn't be bettered. Trumpeter Dowdeswell, a 2016 Royal Academy graduate, has already worked with the best of them - Gordon Goodwin, West End jobs, Abbey Road recording sessions - and he's still in his mid-twenties! Alan Barnes, with arranger Mark Nightingale conducting, delivered the goods with another outing for his Alan Barnes + 11 touring project (see LL's review from Ronnie Scott's, May 1st). Our man's small group highlight was an appearance by Salena Jones working with her quintet which elicited a standing ovation. 

Hot footing it from Greater Manchester, TE arrived in the nick of time to get along to Monday evening's Mnozil Brass concert (part of the ongoing Durham Brass Festival) at the Gala Theatre. Part street brass, big on zany comedy, the gig did its job pulling in a full house. Last night (Tuesday 16) Eales was at it again, same place (the Gala), for some Strictly Come BRASSing. Paul Edis' community big band took its place in the orchestral pit leaving the stage to dozens of dancers to do their thing - from ballroom to swing to tap. MD Edis' regular working partners Andy Champion and Russ Morgan were on hand for a few tight jazz trio numbers and, to top it off, none other than Alan Barnes put in an appearance!               
Russell

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