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

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: 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 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.

Monday, October 18, 2021

Robin Sunflower @ The Railway, Stockport - Oct. 17

Robin Sunflower (harmonica); Adrian Ingram, Aiden Mintz (guitars); Nick ? (bass guitar)

Robin Sunflower started playing Harmonica during the 80’s with the legendary bluesman Victor Brox and his Blues Train, later forming his own groups one of which was the Woodbank Street Band which appeared at the Edinburgh Festival six years running, four years at Marlborough Jazz Festival and other festivals in Ireland and France.. He also does gigs with the Jamaican-influenced band Baked A La Ska, a unit that contains many of Manchester's top musicians.

 

Tonight the line-up featured the well-known guitarist, author and educator Adrian Ingram who always attracts a few guitar-playing fans and by 9pm the room was standing room only.  Sunflower has a liking for the tunes of Ellington/Strayhorn and played no less than four of these. He also told the audience that his big influence was the great Toots Thielemans and Robin played  Bluesette and Indian Nuts in tribute to the late  harmonica maestro.I counted a total of fifteen tunes played and I think I may have missed one which was not announced.  I was going to mention Mr Sunflowers’ unusual choice of attire; his trousers reminded me of a Jackson Pollock painting but I’m no fashion expert.!

 

Next Jazz night at the Railway is Tuesday Oct. 19 (tomorrow) with  The Ronnie Bottomley Trio.

 

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Bluesette; I’m in the Mood For Love; Mood Indigo; Angel Eyes; Sway; Body and Soul; Small Fry; Darktown Strutters Ball; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Song for my Father; Take the A Train; Indian Nuts; Caravan; I Put a Spell on You.

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