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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 2025).

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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00.

Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.br/> Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Monday, June 29, 2020

Album review: Benn Clatworthy - The Pursuit

Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax/flute); John Donaldson (piano); Simon Thorpe (bass); Darren Beckett (drums).

I first heard Clatworthy back in 2014 at The Globe. It immediately became one of the front-runners for my "Gig of that Year". Fast forward to as recently as yesterday when a retro-gig extract by Clatworthy was featured as part of the LeedsJazz lockdown sessions.

And now, here he is back again and firing on all cylinders. The sound on tenor is reminiscent of Stan Getz or Hank Mobley but, particularly on the uptempo numbers, the attack is very much Coltrane in the way that he drives it onward and upward. Stretching out, striving for the unknown. On ballads he displays a rare lyricism whether playing tenor or flute.


Although born in London, it was after he moved to Los Angeles in 1980 that his career blossomed appearing with many big names. In recent years he has made frequent visits back to the UK recording and touring with the band he describes as his UK Quartet. Unfortunately, there was to be no tour this year but this fine album goes someway to softening the blow.

Donaldson, Thorpe and Beckett slot in easily and all three solo impressively as well as providing the foundation for Clat's most worthy improvisations. Beckett has recently returned to the UK after several years playing in NYC and his playing has that cutting edge required to make it over there. Thorpe is Clatworthy's first call bassist when he's in the UK. He's (or rather was) in constant demand elsewhere too. Donaldson ticks all the boxes plus a few of his own.

Clatworthy composed 5 of the 8 tunes (The Pursuit, Just Another Addiction, This One's For Celia, Space 22 and Bolivian Odyssey), Donaldson chipped in with Louisa's Song whilst T.S. Monk provided Ugly Beauty and B. Strayhorn contributed My Little Brown Book

An absolute gem by four of the finest on the current scene.
Lance
Try/Buy.

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