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

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.

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.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Body and Soul @ Dormans Jazz Club,Middlesbrough - August 1

Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugelhorn);Rick Laughlin (keys/synthesizer);  Keith Peberdy (bass); Stuie Ellerton (drums).
(Review by Ron H)

A good sized and enthusiastic audience turned out for this month’s guest band Body and Soul - a band with a reputation for playing exciting jazz.

Cantaloupe Island set the standard followed by a swinging Speak Low with impressive solos all round.

Tadd Dameron's Good Bait had a relaxed feel with Rick, Kevin and Richie in top form.

Kevin, on flugelhorn, was featured in Grover Washington Jr’s beautiful ballad Make Me A Memory, Rick's soulful sound on Synth giving a great dynamic build up to Kevin’s mellow playing.

The first half was brought to a close with Chuck Mangione’s The Hill Where the Lord Hides, Keith soloed and Stuie provided sympathetic support.

The second set opened with an up-tempo Miles Davis classic - Milestones - and more great solos.  Richie's sumptuous tenor playing was featured on Young And Foolish as well as a lyrical piano solo from Rick.

A number played for the first time by the band and featuring Rick with drum and bass backing, Chick Corea's Spain, held the audience spell bound with a skilful blend of piano and synthesizer.

After a fine Norwegian Wood. a well-deserved encore - The Crusaders’ Hustler - finished the night in great style.

A great night by a great band with one couple, new to these jazz nights, describing it as “magical”.

The usual thanks go to Dormans Club for their help and support to ensure the success of the evening.
Ron H

No comments :

Blog Archive