Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Saturday, May 01, 2021

Dave Lewis Quartet livestreaming from the 606 - May 1

Dave Lewis (tenor sax); Robin Aspland (piano); Neville Malcolm (bass guitar); Rod Youngs (drums).

Dave Lewis? Dave Lewis? I knew the name but from where? From when? Yes! Gillespiana at the King's Head in Crouch End back in 2011 where Dave was in the sax section. That was a great night that I almost missed due to a chance encounter on the number 91 bus! However that is another story ... Further exploration of the BSH archives revealed that Dave was at GIJF in 2015 in a bizarre session with Jay Rayner that incorporated jazz and cookery - these festivals, the things they come up with!

I left that one to epicurean Russell to review - there are times when one has to pull rank! However, the common denominator in both sessions that we found to our taste (taste - get it?) was Dave Lewis' bluesy tenor playing.

That earthy style was very much in evidence at the 606 tonight as, oblivious to the row of empty seats, he blew like a man walkin' the bar. Like Arnett Cobb or Lockjaw Davis, like  you were living next door to Birdland or even the 606 itself!

Lewis has this trick that not many hornmen have. He can be blowing some real lowdown dirty blues whilst, without losing the mood, slot in the most melodic phrase you ever heard!

Robin Aspland, I'd heard many times over the years and he's never disappointed, but bass and drums were unfamiliar names - not any more!

I know there are other Saturday night venues competing but, I'd suggest giving the 606 a try. So you have to pay up front as opposed to a donation - what's the difference?

Marks out of ten? - Nine. Norwegian Wood didn't work for me (and, come to that, nor did the Beatles' version - it's almost as stupid a song as Yellow Submarine!)

Lance

Chitlins Con Carne; Missin' You; My Mama Told me so; My Little Suede Shoes; Soul Station; Black Whip; Norwegian Wood; Trouble (No. 2); Farmer's Trust.

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