Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise 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

18878 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 742 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 4.) 21.

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

September.

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Hartlepool Cricket Club. 7:30pm. £7.00.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 09: NONUNONU @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE. Excellent trio.

Thu 10: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 10: Jacenaite All Crew @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 10: Emma Rawicz INKYRA @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £22.30. Sage Two. Line-up: Emma Rawicz (sax); Scottie Thompson (piano, keyboards, synth); David Preston (guitar); Kevin Glasgow (bass guitar); Jack Thomas (drums).

Fri 11: Esther Bennett @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £10.00. Esther Bennett (vocals); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass).
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £14.09 (inc. bf).

Sat 12: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 12: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26 (inc. bf).

Sun 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: King Bees @ Shape Patisserie, Darlington. 3:00pm. Free. Duo (Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor). A Rhythm & Blues Fringe event. Blues excellence.
Sun 13: Alligator Gumbo @ The Cluny. 5:00pm. £17.15.; £11.43; £5.72.
Sun 13: Eternal Triangle + Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Joe Webb: The Art of Tatum @ Saltburn Arts - August 20

Joe Webb (piano); Dave Archer (guitar); Will Sach (double bass)

It was back in November last year that Joe Webb streamed a Kansas Smitty's session devoted to the piano genius Art Tatum. Such was the response, Joe decided to take it on the road. A world premiere performance at Newcastle's Lit & Phil won a standing ovation (see LL's review). A second performance later in the day down in Saltburn couldn't possibly be as good, could it? 

Saltburn Arts' jazz crowd, plus a few holiday makers, turned up to find out for themselves just how good a pianist Joe Webb is. The 'Art of Tatum' trio - Joe, guitarist Dave Archer, bassist Will Sach - set up as it had done earlier in the day up on Tyneside, close together, just the way Tatum played it. I've Got Rhythm opened the show. Boy, do these guys have rhythm?! Joe's easy going, conversational style of presentation is a lesson to some...engage with the audience, enthuse about the music, simply be yourself, no airs and graces. 

Much of the programme could be heard earlier in the day, but no matter, the level of musicianship on show couldn't be bettered, it's worth hearing time and again. Playing two sets afforded Joe the opportunity to play a couple of solo piano pieces - When You Wish Upon a Star in the style of Tatum, and Three Little Words. Three word to describe these solo excursions...astounding, mesmerising, virtuosic. 

Joe's pals on this Art Tatum project - and they are pals - Dave Archer and Will Sach are similarly accomplished musicians. The Saltburn audience warmed to their individual and collective brilliance, at times the applause was of the thunderous variety. Each and every number couldn't be faulted, but it was the dazzling uptempo numbers - Tea for Two and I Know That You Know - which threatened to bring the house down.       

Tatum, Fats, James P, Willie the Lion, if there is a lineage, add the name Joe Webb to the list. Russell         

Set list: I've Got Rhythm; Cocktails for Two; After You've Gone; Moonglow; When You Wish Upon a Star (solo piano): Deep Purple; I Know That You Know; Sunday; I Would Do Anything for You; Liza; Tea for Two; Three Little Words (solo piano); Honeysuckle Rose; If I Had You; Soft Winds; A Simple Tune.   

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