Bebop Spoken There

David Bailey (photographer): ''When I was 16 I wanted to look like Chet Baker. He was my idol - him and James Dean.'' (Talking Pictures documentary : Four beats to the bar and no cheating April, 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

18504 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 368 of them this year alone and, so far this month (May 7 ) 22

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

May

Sun 10: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 12 noon. Free. Note earlier start.
Sun 10: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 10: The Chet Set @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.
Sun 10: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.

Mon 11: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 12: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 13: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 13: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 13: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 13: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 13: Hey Remember This @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Thu 14: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Philip Larkin’s Jazz Experiment.
Thu 14: Jerron Paxton @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Superb country blues.
Thu 14: Solcade @ the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle. 7:00pm. EP launch. Rivkala & co..
Thu 14: Jacob Egglestone @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass); Jack Littlewood (drums) & guests.
Thu 14: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: 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 15: Conor Emery Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Line-up Emery (trombone); Alix Shepherd (piano); John Pope (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 15: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 15: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. £13.01 adv., £15.00 on the door. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 15: Puppini Sisters @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!

Sat 16: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner. God Bless the Child - Lady Day!. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 16: Kaberry Big Band @ the Seahorse Pub, Hillheads Rd., Whitley Bay NE23 8HR. From 7:300pm. £15.00
Sat 16: Lady Nade @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. ‘Lady Nade sings Nina Simone’.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

SNJO, Paul Towndrow/Ornette Coleman: Where Rivers Meet - May 12

(Screenshot by Russell)
Edinburgh's twelfth century St Giles' Cathedral served as a spectacular stage on this first evening of four dedicated to the music of four celebrated free jazz pioneers. Socially distanced members of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra took to the stage under the watchful eye of its founder, Artistic Director, Tommy Smith. This evening's focus would be on the music of Ornette Coleman. 

(Screenshot by Russell)
The term 'free jazz' is often used to describe, or simply categorise, Coleman's music. The abandonment of chordal and harmonic elements were considered to be 'free', yet Coleman produced many melodic tunes, 'tunes' being anything but a derogatory term! Alto saxophonist Paul Towndrow (SNJO, Brass Jaw etc) would perform three pieces composed by the American. 



(Screenshot by Russell)
The participation of visual artist Maria Rud painting in real time alongside the SNJO ensemble proved to be an inspired move. Physically animated, Rud literally jumping around in time to the visceral power of the music, the on-the-spot results were quite something. Vivid, rapid brushstrokes, palms and fingers applying her chosen medium, the scraping away, the urgent reapplication of the medium (paint?), all projected onto a stained-glass window high above the assembly. 

Towndrow's interpretation and execution of Coleman's compositions could be described as 'triumphant'. The SNJO's brilliant rhythm section - Pete Johnstone, Calum Gourlay and Alyn Cosker - pushed, and pushed again, demanding more and more of Towndrow. This evening's soloist rose to the occasion as did the SNJO ensemble (all the expected names were present, as were two newer recruits, trumpeters James Copus and Christos Stylinades*). Towndrow's laser-like focus and sheer physicality of his alto playing set the standard. The three remaining concert soloists have it all to do. The second performance in this Where Rivers Meet project on Thursday (May 13) features SNJO tenor saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski playing the music of Dewey Redman. To register for the live stream visit: www.snjo.co.uk.  

* It's been a while since BSH last heard the SNJO, hence Stylinades and Copus are the new boys!    
Russell

Set list: Lonely Woman; Broadway Blues; Peace.

Jim Davison, James Copus, Christos Stylinades (trumpets); Kieran McLeod, Liam Shortall, Michael Owers (trombones); Konrad Wiszniewski, Martin Kershaw, Paul Towndrow, Tommy Smith MD, Bill Fleming (reeds); Pete Johnstone (piano); Calum Gourlay (double bass); Alyn Cosker (drums)

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