Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Leo Richardson Quartet - Live stream from Ronnie Scott's - Sept. 10

Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Rick Simpson (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Ed Richardson (drums).

Never has the expression hitting the deck running been more apt than tonight at Ronnie's.  The band powered in with such force that they must surely have cut a rut across the stage. Well, maybe not a rut but certainly a groove and this was just the opener!

It was a breathtaking start and one which didn't let up from start to finish apart from a couple of delightful ballads one of which, Elisha's Song, dedicated to Leo's niece almost brought tears to my eyes, such was the emotions conveyed.

All of the numbers, apart from a dedication to Michael Brecker (Michael), were from the band's first two albums which mean't they came to me with a degree of familiarity which most certainly didn't breed contempt!

Quite the opposite! Hearing them live gave that little bit extra insight. Leo is an absolute powerhouse on tenor. There are a lot of great tenor players on the scene these days and Richardson can lock horns and hold his head up high alongside the best of them.

On piano, Rick Simpson laid down the groundwork for a blue plaque in his home town of Guisborough with solos that matched the leader's intensity - he was burnin'. 

Tim Thornton didn't often put his head above the parapet but when he did it was to deliver a masterclass in jazz bass. 

Ed Richardson may not be Leo's brother but jazz wise he could well be. His no holds barred solo on the Brecker tribute was equalled only by Leo's fiery solo on the same tune. 

This was a night to remember and not just for the fireworks and the mouthwatering references to the exotic Espresso Martini that seemed to be the drink of the day - one of Leo's originals was actually called Martini Shuffle - Enrico's this wasn't!

Possibly the best live stream I've watched yet - from anywhere!
Lance

Set list (all originals): The Chase; Effin' & Jeffin'; Peace; Michael; Elisha's Song; Martini Shuffle; Move.
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2 comments :

Russell said...

This was an absolutely brilliant performance and all orginal material too. Modern jazz for today!

Thursday, September 10, 2020 9:44:00 pm
Ken D said...

I caught the tail-end of this Livestream and it sounded good enough to find and watch the whole performance, especially after the glowing review ! Quite a blistering performance overall. It's on the Ronnie Scott's Youtube channel ..... https://youtu.be/N26eFZraOyQ?t=73

Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:56:00 pm

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