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

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

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.

Friday, November 06, 2020

Rico's Popup Louis - Nov. 6

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Simon Picton (guitar, banjo) 

Another in Rico Tomasso's Friday evening 'Popup Louis' sessions. Rico couldn't remember how long he's been doing these live streams but he's enjoyed doing them and promised to continue into the future. Tonight's guest, making a  welcome return, playing guitar and banjo, Mr Simon Picton. The duo would play eight tunes during the course of an hour. 

Rico's modus operandi, with his 1933 balanced action horn in hand, is to address his online audience in his usual affable manner, all the while checking an off-screen monitor to cue up his accompanist's part and take a peek at some of the many on-screen comments posted by his legion of regulars. First up: The Music Goes Round and Round. Rico sang - noting Danny Kaye's performance in The Five Pennies - as Simon double-tracked rhythm and solo guitar parts. 

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (comp. Arlen/Koehler) followed by Sugarfoot Stomp (Picton on banjo) offered a nice contrast in styles. Rico, picking up his flugelhorn, spoke of his liking for Gordon Jenkins' work, so, the duo played When a Woman Loves a Man. Rico thanked Simon for transcribing Oscar Peterson's intro to Ella and Louis' celebrated version of A Fine Romance (Rico's reading of the lyric went slightly awry, confusing potatoes and tomatoes...don't worry, Rico, let's call the whole thing off!).

Four or Five Times has been recorded by many artists, from King Oliver to Bob Wills. Rico said Simon would play banjo on this one and they'd take an off-mic 'band vocal'. They did, it worked. Rico was enjoying himself, he took another slurp from this week's beer, a bottle of Badger's Golden Champion (readily available in shops across Tyneside). 

Rico suggested Wherever There's Love is synonymous with Eddie Condon. Picking up his flugel once more, Rico sure was in mellow mood. And to close, a brisk take on Liza. It had been another good week in the live stream world of Rico Tomasso. More next week when our host will be joined by young pianist Will Barry. BSH has heard Will in concert with Matt Roberts, he's a great player, it'll be good to catch up with him playing a bunch of tunes with Rico. 
Russell

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