Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, August 30, 2021

Dean Masser Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - August 29

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Andrzej Baranek (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Brian Costello (drums) + Dave Haswell (drums)

Dean Masser, a tenor player with a big sound who likes to make every note count with an assertive hard-driving approach that makes everyone sit up and take notice.


He was well supported by an excellent rhythm section with Andrzej Baranek sounding particularly inspired on the opening number On Green Dolphin Street even though he must have played it over a thousand times. As far as I know  the drummer Brian Costello who hails from Blackpool has not been to the Railway before, but he did a first-rate job and I hope we get to hear him again before too long. Ed Harrison is a frequent visitor to this venue and is always at the top of his game. Like Dean he resides in the Wigan area.  


At the start of the second set, local drummer Dave Hassell sat in on It Could Happen to You and did some nice brushwork.


Dean’s set list contained a good mix of standards, ballads and a few of his own compositions, one of which has yet to get a title.  I like the way Dean gets a full sound at the bottom end of his horn and I suppose his style if I had to describe it, would be Dexter Gordon with a strong Sonny Rollins influence.  

Tomorrow (August 31) at the Railway guitarist Derrick Harris from Leeds is appearing with his quartet. Mike Farmer.

            

On Green Dolphin Street; Well Red;  There Will Never Be Another You; You Don’t Know What Love Is; Back Chat; Recorda-Me; It Could Happen To You; How Deep Is The Ocean?; Untitled Original; In A Sentimental Mood; Billie’s Bounce,

No comments :

Blog Archive