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.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Duncan Winfield @ the Railway, Stockport - Nov. 23

Duncan Winfield (trombone); Paul Hartley (guitar);  Ken Marley (bass); Andy Bold  (drums)

You will most likely have seen tonight's guest performer sitting in the trombone section  of some of the many big bands that are to be heard in the North West area. I recall seeing him in the Ron Hayes Band, the Shades Jazz Orchestra and Swingtime - to name but three. It has been a while since I heard him playing in a smaller unit and I  was curious to learn what tunes he had selected for his performance.  They were in the main, standards plus a number written by Sonny Rollins - Alfie’s Theme  for the film Alfie which was a big hit for Michael Caine.


The opening number was Henry Mancini's’ Days of Wine and Roses and Winfield's style of playing made me reflect on the recent passing at the age of 89 of Slide Hampton, one of the great trombonists, and also a fantastic arranger.  Out of all the eleven tunes featured it would be hard to pick one that I liked best but if pressed I would say the final number Tangerine which started as a slow ballad then the tempo increased before reverting to a ballad again.


Paul Hartley, as always, did an excellent job in the rhythm section  and Andy Bold, who is the driving force behind the Ron Hayes Big Band,
did everything required in the drum department. Ken Marley provided a rock solid beat and I’m sure that everyone in the audience went home knowing they had had a great night of modern jazz. 


Next jazz at the Railway is on Sunday Nov. 28 with the  Carole Williams Band - Mike Farmer.


Days of Wine and Roses; Alice in Wonderland’; So Danco Samba; Body and Soul; What is This Thing Called Love?; Alfie’s Theme; Alone Together; Corcovado; There is No Greater Love; Tangerine.

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