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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

KSTV: Live stream - Feb. 17

Noah Stoneman (piano); Will Sach (bass); Will Cleasby (drums).

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Smitty's has a pool of great musicians. Perm any three from n and you are guaranteed an enjoyable evening's jazz.

Tonight was no exception, the walls didn't come tumbling down and, I guess, the regulars wouldn't want it any other way - I certainly didn't - but it beat listening on the radio to Sunderland going to Wembley although, naturally, I'm glad they did!

A good choice of tunes, not all announced, and I hold my hand up and confess that I wrongly identified Wonderful! Wonderful! as I'm Lucky to be me! This was inexcusable as the Tubby Hayes' version of the latter tune is one of my all time faves so consider yourself lucky not to be me!

Other numbers included (trust me!): Up Against the Wall (Coltrane); Windows (Corea); Easy to Remember; Theme For Ernie (Coltrane); Pretty Ballad (Jarrett) and Just One of those Things.

One of the interesting things about tonight were Cleasby's drum solos. Unlike most drum solos he was actually playing with the tune in mind - Easy to Remember made him almost a horn player, the tune related sounds and rhythms he produced in his solo. Sach, incidentally, did good on that tune too. What am I saying? He did good on them all!

Kansas Smitty's is an institution and this is one institution I'd be happy to be committed to - back again tomorrow night.
Lance
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