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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 2025).

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

17985(and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 306 of them this year alone and, so far, 62 this month (April 26).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

MAY 2025

Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (piano); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Mark Hawkins (drums); Adrian Beadnell (bass).

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.

Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Struggle Buggy @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 04: Boys of Brass @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Ben Crosland Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £14.00. Tel: 0191 237 3697. ‘Victory in Europe Afternoon Tea’ (VE Day 80th anniversary).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: FILM: Whiplash @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:15pm.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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

Monday, February 08, 2021

Wandering Monster: Live stream From The Globe (a Jazz Co-op/Jazz North East co-promotion) - Feb. 7

Ben Powling (tenor sax); Calvin Travers (guitar); Aleks Podraza (piano); Sam Quintana (bass); Tom Higham (drums).

(Photo courtesy of Rob Heron/Screenshot collage courtesy of Ken Drew)

Contemporary jazz quintet Wandering Monster performed a live set at The Globe in Newcastle on a wintry Sunday evening, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the month so far. Although many music lovers are apprehensive about live streamed gigs, Wandering Monster’s musical talent, dynamic energy and invigorating improvisation allowed the virtual audience to truly feel as though they were in the room. This, combined with brilliant sound technicians and camera work, made the gig a pleasure to watch - and a stunning listen.


Their music is warm, soulful and nuanced, yet also manages to push the boundaries of genre and challenge the listener through complex rhythmic, melodic and harmonic improvisation. Double bassist Sam Quintana composes the band’s pieces, and in performance we got to hear some of their newest, unheard works - the chance to hear a new, exclusive track makes the concept of live stream gigs even more compelling. 

The gig opened with the band’s atmospheric take on Jaco Pastorius’ Okonkole y Trompa, immediately arresting the audience’s attention through the subtlety and beauty of their playing. Reshaping this track as their own was a clever introduction to the gig, and the almost tentative yet deep saxophone melody played by Ben Powling allowed the audience to really connect with the music, albeit virtually. Powling also illustrated his own musicianship through beautiful tone and control. It was brilliant getting the chance to watch such accomplished musicians interacting live, bouncing off one another’s ideas in performance, and attentively listening and responding to each other’s choices. 


The band also performed both Metropolis and Division from their newest release, featuring some amazingly tasteful yet thought-provoking solos from Calvin Travers on guitar, Aleks Podraza on piano, and Tom Higham on drums. Wandering Monster really managed to strike the balance between engaging the audience emotionally, and engaging them musically and intellectually. Their sound is so modern, yet also incorporates blues elements, bop language, and clearly nods to the jazz tradition as a whole. Every piece performed was complex rhythmically, and yet the grooves were accessible and made you want to nod along. The energy of the performance and the live element really came across - and that is not an easy feat. 


The audience were also treated to two new compositions during the course of the gig - one named Zenna, and one so new that it was still untitled. Although Zenna featured more experimental playing and improvisation, the warmth of the playing and the musical choices was not lost. Some freer jazz can feel disorientating and dark, yet Wandering Monster’s choices were exhilarating. Throughout the performance, their sound felt cohesive and connected, which bodes well for their new releases to come.


The band ended the performance with a track from their eponymous debut album - Samsara - a brilliant end to the gig. The five musicians know exactly how to build tension and anticipation underneath solos, so that there is a satisfying and climactic release once they return to the original melody. The abrupt end to the last piece of the set left the audience with a sense of contentment, yet wanting more. Wandering Monster deserve genuine recognition and acclaim for their music, and the opportunity to see them play during such a difficult time for live performers was a rare pleasure. 

Evie Hill

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