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

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.

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.

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

Andrzej Baranek Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - Feb. 8

Andrzej Baranek (keys); Tony Ormesher (guitar); Ed Harrison (bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

Due to being a victim of the virus that is still making life difficult for everyone, Paul Hartley was unable to appear, but in his place was that fine guitarist Tony Ormesher and leading the group and announcing the tunes was Andrzej Baranek. I was a bit surprised that the turnout was low, the room being only half full, but maybe this was due to Covid or perhaps there was a big football game on TV.


The show commenced with an up-tempo rendition of Like Someone in Love  followed by Duke’s Love You Madly which Andrzej stated was inspired by Monty Alexander’s arrangement of the tune.


Dave Walsh, a highly experienced drummer, does not often play this venue so it was good to see him driving things along and they got into hard-bop mode with a great version of Tadd Dameron’s theme Our Delight. Andrzej’s fingers flying on this one!  He was well supported by some nice guitar playing by Ormesher who has shown himself to be more than capable to handle the trickier bop tunes.


One number that is not often heard as a feature for piano is Lee Morgan’s fabulous composition Ceora and the quartet really got to grips with this difficult tune. There is nothing I can say regarding bass player Ed Harrison that I have not said on previous reviews. He is the first guy to call, whatever the situation he can enhance it!


Next jazz night at the Railway is Sunday Feb 13 with  Steve Pimlott. Mike Farmer

 

Like Someone in Love; Love You Madly; Corcovado; Our Delight; Sophisticated Lady; Four Mothers; Satin Doll; Tangerine; Ceora; Can’t Stop Loving You; I’ve Never Been in Love Before.

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