Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Triptych @ Sage Gateshead - Oct. 16

(Photo by Russell)
Paul Edis (piano, keyboards, clarinet, flute); Paul Susans (double bass, bass guitar); Rob Walker (drums, percussion, keyboards); Lisa Delarny (live visuals)

Some ticket holders in Sage Two booked for this Triptych concert more than eighteen months ago. It is said patience is a virtue. Post-lockdown the two Pauls - Edis and Susans - took to the stage with Rob Walker to play three long form compositions without a break over the course of ninety minutes. Visual artist Lisa Delarny worked unobtrusively from the back of the hall to create real-time artworks projected onto a screen high above the on-stage musicians. 

Pianist Paul Edis is no stranger to Sage Gateshead, having performed and worked here over many years since its opening not far short of two decades ago. Bassist Paul Susans and drummer Rob Walker have followed a similar path and it was good to see them together on stage once more. An appreciative, not to say attentive, crowd became immersed in the music. Difficult to categorise, the compositions comprised myriad forms...hard-swinging, straight ahead jazz, Latin, North African/Middle Eastern sounds, funk, jazz rock, neo-classical and more. A nod or a smile sufficed, no need for verbal communication, enabling the trio to navigate the charts which, due to the pandemic, were, likely as not, left on a shelf gathering dust. Meeting up earlier in the day, the charts were dusted off and on the night it all fell into place. 

(Photo by Jerry)
Pianist Edis sat at Sage Gateshead's Steinway, occasionally switching to keyboards and adding clarinet and flute into the bargain. Paul Susans proved equally effective playing double bass and superb funking electric bass lines. Drummer Rob Walker was in particularly fine form, alert to the music's every shift, twist and turn. Painter and noted sculptor Lisa Delarny responded to the ever-changing musical landscape before her with considered, lovingly sketched images projected for all present to view. 

Triptych is an occasional project, 'occasional' due to the fact that the principals are extremely busy with other projects. As and when Messrs Edis, Susans and Walker - and Ms Delarny - do it again, make a point of being there. Russell         

Set list: Fragment73You Are Here.    

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