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

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.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Friday, January 22, 2021

Deschanel Gordon live streaming from Kansas Smitty's - Jan. 22

Deschanel Gordon (piano); Will Sach (double bass); Will Cleasby (drums)
(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

Another Friday night at Kansas Smitty's, this week featuring the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, pianist Deschanel Gordon. Sammy Fain's That Old Feeling for starters. Was that the piano sounding a bit worse for wear? A tremendous second number, For the Hopeful, hints of a boppish Herbie Hancock, the composer D. Gordon, no less! Supporting our impressive award-winner this evening two of the many Kansas Smitty's Wills - W Sach, bass, and W Cleasby, drums. It Isn't compulsory to be named Will to get a gig at Kansas Smitty's but it sure ain't a disadvantage!

A respectful L'il Darlin', then, what's this? Monk? Leading the way, Gordon, very Monkish, Will C, that's drummer Cleasby, following on with a ferocious barrage of a solo, this young man is the business! And it was Monk, Trinkle Tinkle. Another Deschanel Gordon composition, Last Departure, considered, mature. Cedar Walton's Firm Roots dazzled, post bop, Jazz Messengers' material, the trio really cookin'! And another knock-it-out-the-ballpark solo from Cleasby. Tune of the night!  

One more, Irving Berlin's Let's Fall in Love,  Gordon playful, Will S on it, Will C sweeping up behind them, morphing into a drum 'n' bass vibe and back again to the GASbook master. So, another excellent session. It doesn't get any better than that, or does it? Tomorrow (Saturday) at eight, it's an Art Blakey set, perhaps it will get better! Order the takeaway, get the beers in. 
Russell
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1 comment :

Ken_D said...

Yes Russell, Agree, the piano is a little worse-for-wear but only slightly mid-top end. Been like that for a while but gives a kind of endearing feel to the instrument. If it gets any worse then call the Jazz Police through doing a disservice to the cause. Great playing despite that though. Tnx for the heads up on what's on next to possibly top this.

Friday, January 22, 2021 11:49:00 pm

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