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.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Six of the Best! The Trios of Giles Strong and Bradley Johnston @ Blaydon Jazz Club - August 18


(Review/photos by Roly)
Something a bit different at Blaydon last night. Two excellent trios playing one set each.
First up was the Giles Strong Trio - Giles Strong (guitar); Ian Paterson (double bass); Dean Stockdale (piano). Some tasty playing as you might expect from Giles, whose boppish playing also reflects the influence of greats such as Wes, Joe Pass and Jim Hall but with also a nod to the light rhythm playing of Herb Ellis in the Oscar Peterson Trio.
Immaculate playing from Stockdale and Paterson too with some great soloing. A nice set of tunes chosen between Giles & Dean and I particularly liked Alice in Wonderland played with a long intro improvising over a hypnotic pedal and ending the same way.
Set list – Alone Together, A Beautiful Friendship, Out of Nowhere, Driftin’ (Herbie Hancock), Gone with the Wind, Alice in Wonderland, You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To. 

Second set was the Bradley Johnston Trio. He started with a solo piece based on the Joe Pass solo guitar famed from the ‘Virtuoso’ recordings. I Can’t Get Started was played with flawless Pass-like technique and if Joe had been there he would doubtless have applauded. Then joined by Paul Grainger bass and Russ Morgan drums we enjoyed a contrasting set of originals and standards all played with great musicianship. 
Set List – For Joe (BJ), Only Trust Your Heart, Nuages, For Frisell (BJ), Heather’s Waltz (BJ), Douce Ambience, Turn of Time (BJ) and ‘S Wonderful.
I reflected on how, in 2009, a young 14 year old lad came to Blaydon for a nervous sit in. Look at him now in 2019. All in all a smashing gig and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Roly

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