Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Alec Harper Quartet: Playback Sonny Rollins "The Bridge". Live stream from Kansas Smitty's - Dec. 16

Alec Harper (tenor sax); Will Arnold-Forster (guitar); Ferg Ireland (bass); Jas Kayser (drums)

(Screenshot/collage courtesy of Ken Drew)

Tonight's the real deal. Can't wait, this is going to be something - Sonny Rollins' The Bridge!

The actual Rollins' album kicks off with a rousing version of Without a Song followed by  a sumptuous take on Where Are You? Alec and co do likewise - they've read the script. Two out of two so far or should that be ten out of ten?

Nice solo from the obligatory Will on guitar, sympathetic drumming from Jas, Ferg solid as ever and Alec fast becoming my favourite tenor player.

John S (?) keeps things moving along before going into the title track inspired, as I'm sure everyone apart from some of the newer fellas know, by Rollins' nightly sojourn practicing under the Williamsburg Bridge in NYC. Imagine doing that at midnight under Newcastle's Tyne Bridge! Apart from the tenor solo Jas gives it big licks.

On God Bless the Child, Harper explores the possibilities of the tune defecting at times to a Getzian approach which is fine by me.

You do Something to me. Sonny, Jim Hall, Bob Cranshaw and Ben Riley must surely know their legacy is in good hands with these guys - Jas of course included - Lady Kay!

Lance

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