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).

Saturday, April 24, 2021

KSTV: Kansas Smitty's playback session: Keith Jarrett's Belonging - April 24

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Joe Webb (piano); Giacomo Smith (tenor sax, soprano sax); Will Sach (double bass); Luca Caruso (drums) + Camilla George (alto sax)

Jack and Giacomo made the introductions. Giacomo admitted this evening's playback session would take him out of his comfort zone. The album in question, Keith Jarrett's Belonging, recorded on the ECM label in 1974, would become known for the music performed by his 'European Quartet' as distinct from his established American band. Additional material would be drawn from Jarrett's American quartet.  

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
And so to the first number, Spiral Dance going into In Flight, not from Belonging, rather Jarrett's American all-star quartet recording Back Hand. If Giacomo Smith was pushing the outer limits it didn't show. In some quarters Jan Garbarek and Dewey Redman are revered, it could be Kansas Smitty's online regulars have a similar high regard for Giacomo. All the while, pianist Joe Webb showed anything Jarrett can do, or has done, he can too. Brilliant piano playing from first note to last! 

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Enter Camilla George playing alto sax on De Drums from Fort Yawuh, The influence of Abdullah Ibrahim clearly evident. Superb stuff, Joe Webb in sensational form, the masked Will Sach 'woooo-ing' at what he was hearing and privileged to be part of. This number alone was worth the admission money. 

Russell

Set list included: Spiral DanceIn FlightLong as You Know You're Living YoursBelonging

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