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

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.

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.

Thursday, February 04, 2021

Omar live streaming from Ronnie's - Feb. 4

Omar (vocals, keyboards); Allan Simpson (guitar, vocals); Lennox Cameron (keyboards, flute, vocals); Gordon Mulraine (bass); Westley Joseph (drums)

Band MD Lennox Cameron introduced the man, Britain's no.1 neo-soul singer, Omar Lye-Fook. One number after another, few, if any, tunes announced, after two or three Omar saying simply: Warming up! By the time they got to playing Be Thankful and Everybody Loves the Sunshine the band really was warmed up! Alright, were gonna pick the pace up now. Get yer dancin' shoes on! said the man. And onto This is Not a Love Song. Omar said he couldn't believe he wrote There's Nothing Like This all of thirty one years ago. The band played it, tight, in the groove, neo-soul, soul, funk. 
Some more, yeah? enquired our man. Turning to his ace band: I think we need to pick it up, and so they did! And to close, from Omar's 2013 album The Man,  a stonking Stop War, Make Love, introduced this evening as F*** War, Make Love. And this was the number on which the boys got their moment in Ronnie's spotlight. First guitarist, Allan Simpson, then - This man's perfect for the job, said Omar-  five string funking bassist Gordon Mulraine. Next up...Please give it up for Lennox Cameron!  Last but not least, Mr Wesley Joseph! A cameo of a solo, but what a solo! And my name is Omar! And off he went, bowing to the (virtual) audience, the band taking it out.   
Russell            
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