Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Preview: Sunday Night @ the Globe - The Matt Holmes - Ari Hoenig Quintet. Sept. 12

Matt Holmes (drums); Liam Brennan (alto sax); Francis Tulip (guitar); Will Markham (piano); James Owston (bass)

To be honest, the band's name isn't totally accurate. Ace NYC drummer Hoenig will not be playing although his music most certainly will and, in the more than capable hands of Matt Holmes, drummer with NYJO, I can guarantee it will well and truly be done justice.

Although Birmingham based, the quintet are not totally unknown in the north east. Francis Tulip, from the Land of the Prince Bishops, is generally regarded as the finest young guitarist to arrive on the scene since Bradley Johnston. Tulip's skills were further honed at Birmingham Conservatoire and gigs at The Globe and other venues with his own quintet have shown just how well rounded a player he now is. Despite a broken ankle, he still gave a knockout performance at the recent Newcastle Jazz Festival.

Leader Holmes (hidden by a ride cymbal in the above photo of Francis Tulip*) and pianist Markham have both played north east gigs with Tulip and bassist Owston, who is currently a regular with Clark Tracey, was a runner up behind Xhosa Cole in the 2018 BBC Jazz Musician of the Year Final. Like Tulip and Markham he also worked with Cole afterwards.

I've yet to hear Brennan but, he wouldn't be part of this quintet if he couldn't play and, googling suggests he most certainly can!

And let's not forget they're going to be playing music associated with Ari Hoenig so Matt Holmes has it all to do - I'm sure he will!

Sunday Night @ the Globe, whether watching live or online, is now the only game in town - don't miss this one - Lance

* Cropped from a shot by Debra Milne

More info/tickets.

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