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

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.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, October 02, 2021

Knats + Hand to Mouth @ GCT - Oct 1

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Josh Mitchell-Rayner (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike-Elechi (drums)

Festival gigs across town, gigs here, there and everywhere, including a non-festival, somewhat under-the-radar free admission double bill at Gosforth Civic Theatre. Situated just off Gosforth High Street in Newcastle, GCT presents an array of cultural events and on this Friday evening a large crowd gathered to hear two contrasting sets. 

Knats' recent emergence, seemingly out of nowhere, is one of the good news stories in these pandemic times. Four teeenagers - trumpet, keyboards, bass and drums - playing an approximation of seventies' jazz rock charts (much of it original material) alongside numbers by the likes of Roy Ayers and Kendrick Lamar, demonstrated a remarkably high level of ability. Song titles were largely absent from front man Stan Woodward's introductions, no matter, it's the music that mattered. 

Shrouded in clouds of dry ice, Ferg Kilsby, all of sixteen, blew loud, reverb-heavy trumpet. The fourteen/fifteen year old Ferg cut a shy, timid figure when first sitting in at jam sessions with the big boys and girls. Here at GCT the sixteen year old veteran played without fear. Tremendous! On the opposite side of the stage, pianist Josh Mitchell-Rayner supplied all the chords and more, frequent eye contact with his band mates confirming they were as one. The rhythm boys - bassist Stan Woodward and drummer King David Ike-Elechi - hit on a groove and didn't let up all night. 

Hand to Mouth: Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Bradley Johnston (guitar)

Earlier, Hand to Mouth gave another concert masterclass in the art of intimate, duo performance. Vocalist Lindsay Hannon and guitarist Bradley Johnston revisited their Ella Fitzgerald-Joe Pass set. From first note to last, it would prove to be an absolute joy to listen to. The Very Thought of You - wow! Ella and Joe live! Dindi, Ellington's All Too Soon (lyrics Carl Sigman), a wonderful verse intro to Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Hand to Mouth were on top form. 

Some other Time sang Lindsay, I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues asserted Lindsay. Yes, indeed! Hand to Mouth should tour, they should play festivals. And wouldn't it be great if they recorded an album?!  Russell

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