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.

Thursday, December 09, 2021

Tales From the Darkside

For a period during its existence the Phoenix Jazzmen were playing about 3 to 4 times weekly. The band members at the time were Ronnie Young, Graham Shephard, Gordon Solomon, John Hedley, Gordon Sumner and Don Eddy (pictured). 

On one memorable occasion we were booked to play at a large club in central Middlesbrough. The club's resident band comprised organ and drums, and the organist was a very attractive lady. Our drummer Don Eddy, recently divorced, took a fancy to her, and offered her a lift home at the end of the night, conveniently forgetting that he was a passenger in my car. Anyhow I reluctantly agreed and we set off to her place, which turned out to be a flat above a fruit and veg shop in the town.

It was a cold night, and she suggested that I should wait in the shop while Don and her went upstairs to "have a cup of tea", as she put it. So I accepted, and during the wait I realised that I was hungry, so I helped myself to a banana. 

At this point a burly figure loomed up at the door, and a torch was switched on, to reveal me standing in the dark with the banana. It was, of course, the local constabulary doing his rounds, and he demanded an explanation. So I told him the truth, and just as I finished the explanation the loud and rhythmic squeak of bedsprings came unmistakably through the ceiling. "Ah!" said Plod, "that'll be him drinking his tea now. I'll return in ten minutes, and if you and your tea drinking friend aren't gone you'll be in real trouble".

Needless to say we were long gone when he returned. Gordon Solomon.

5 comments :

Lance said...

It's tough on the road. I remember back in 1974 my band were playing at a dance in the ballroom of the Dragonara Hotel in Middlesbrough and in the lounge bar there was an attractive lady playing solo piano. I wonder if this was the same person and, if it was, had I known then what I know now ...

Russell said...

Why don't you come up and see me sometime, and show me your banana?!

Patti said...

Is that a banana in your hand, or are you just pleased to see me? Etc. etc. etc. .......

Sylvia said...

Really!…is this what we expect from a respectable blog…?…no Parliamentary Awards for you again!

Lance said...

Sylvia, you should see the comments we don't post!

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