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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: 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 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Wednesday, February 02, 2022

Steve Oakes Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - Feb. 1

Steve Oakes (guitar); Ed Kainyek (alto sax); Gavin Barras (bass); Tim Franks (drums) 

It was advertised as being a quintet featuring trumpeter Ray Butcher, but, due to storms hitting Staffordshire, he was unable to travel to Stockport as Steve explained before the show began. This meant we got to hear more than usual from the alto sax of Ed Kainyek and tonight he was in top form. Although he brought to the gig a soprano sax and took it out of its case, he elected to play only alto sax on each tune.


Sometimes when I hear Ed with Oakes' band he blows tenor but no matter which horn he prefers he always sounds great.


The opening number set the vibe for the evening - Ornette Coleman’s blues theme Turnaround and all four musicians took solos. 


Steve Oakes put together a really interesting set list that consisted of tunes by Charlie Parker, some post-bop themes and some standards all of which produced applause from the Tuesday jazz night regulars. 


I’ve written many times about bass man Gavin Barras and he never fails to impress. Drummer Tim Franks, who fits in well with Steve’s concept of jazz for all tastes, added to the success of the evening. Everyone agreed it was a most entertaining night and it was good to see Ray the landlord back from a well-earned break.


Next jazz night at the Railway is Sunday Feb. 6 with reeds man  Munch Manship - Mike Farmer

 

Turnaround; Sunny; Limelight; This Masquerade; Billie’s Bounce; My Favorite Things; Confirmation; There Will Never Be Another You; My Foolish Heart; Celebration; All Blues; Moose the Mooche;  Like Someone In Love.

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