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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Gareth Lockrane Quartet @ the 606 club (live and on-line) - July 10

(Collage by Lance)
Gareth Lockrane (flute/alto flute/bass flute/piccolo); Ross Stanley (piano); Sam Burgess (bass); Shane Forbes (drums).

Brandon Allen was originally booked to appear but had to withdraw to comply with Covid regulations requiring quarantine after travel outside of the UK. Fortunately, getting a dep band isn't as hard as it would normally be. In fact, to get an A-lister like Gareth Lockrane at such short notice would have been asking the impossible.

However, these aren't normal times and this could be a Gareth weekend ...!

As I watched this delightful stream from Lots Rd. I glanced at the pile of CDs hopefully awaiting review and sighed. If any of them are half as good as this session they'll be in with a shout for Record of the Year - wishful thinking.

A cracking set with Lockrane proving that, like so many UK jazzmen (and that includes his three henchmen) they can hold their own worldwide - NYC, LA, anywhere.

Like Someone in Love got the show on the road with Gareth blowing, I think, alto flute. An original that may have been called Shakuhachi Caveman was followed by a South African piece - Township - and a piece dedicated to Joe Zawinul called, I think, Zawinology

There were others that I didn't catch the titles of. One of them had pyramid in the title and was by a New York sax man whose first name was Walt.

This latter number, or maybe it was another one, featured some amazing piccolo playing and, like all the other numbers had Ross Stanley playing out of his skull on piano. I've heard Ross many times on Hammond as well as on a fold it up and put it in the boot of your car keyboard but, this was the first time I can recall hearing him on  an actual grand and he sounded great. Shane Forbes had some amazing solos and Sam Burgess slotted in as befitted his in demand status.

Super session - now it's up to the other Gareth ...
Lance

1 comment :

Russell said...

The 'pyramid' number is likely to be See the Pyramid by Walt Weiskopf.

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