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, April 08, 2021

Lockdown session from Ronnie Scott's with W3 - April 8

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Ed Mitchell (tenor sax); Chris Wintermeyer (trumpet); Chris Webster (trombone); Karme Caruso (keys); Tom Gledhill (guitar); Diego Rodriguez (bass guitar); Luke Harris (drums); Joao Caetano (perc.)

This was a bit like a Friday night at Hoochie Coochie used to be back in the day although, without copious amounts of London Pride it wasn't quite the same! How ya doin' Warren? hope to catch up soon.

Deep in the heart of Soho, a band billed as W3 were strutting their brand of soul, funk, ska, rock, hip-hop and a bit of thinly disguised jazz. There were a few originals but, on the whole, it was mainly covers.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Apart from the opening Watermelon Man, most of the numbers were unfamiliar to me - I've led such a sheltered life that I've rarely been subjected to the source material which is a pity as there were times tonight when I felt Damascus was in sight.

All the musicians were impressive, some great trombone playing, excellent, percussion sounds, keys and... ...but why continue? they all deserve the Freedom of Frith St.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
My only quibble is that an hour and a half plus in a packed club is one thing, whilst the same time spent watching a livestream in solitary confinement is another. In effect about half an hour plus too long for me.

Still, if ever they make it up to Hoochie Coochie, I'll be first through the door.

Lance

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