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.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Album review: Marco Tranchina/Smät Five - More Than Ever

Marco Tranchina (piano); Alan Short (alto sax, flute); Andrea Solarino (guitar); Mikele Montolli (double bass); Filippo Galli (drums) 

Pianist-composer Marco Tranchina has been working on the London jazz scene for more than fifteen years. This new album, a debut recording for Ubuntu Music, features long-term collaborator, bassist Mikele Montolli and two newer associates, guitarist Andrea Solarino and drummer Filippo Galli. The quintet is completed by alto saxophonist Alan Short. The album is a product of Tranchina's lockdown experience, coupled with a personal health issue, performing his writing of the album's eight tracks spanning some fifty six minutes' playing time. 

The title track moves along at a lick with alto saxophonist Short operating in post-bop territory. Lost & Found's ballad form enables all five musicians to be heard; Tranchina's considered piano playing, Galli's delicate cymbal work. Holger's Dream spotlights once more Short's incisive, biting alto. Contrastingly, Short picks up his flute to introduce Irish Eyes. The album closer, 4.3 Song Cycle, features the band as it successfully negotiates Tranchina's tricky composition. 

It would be good to hear the band live, keep an eye out for tour dates. Russell          
 
Marco Tranchina's More Than Ever is available from Ubuntu Music (catalogue no. UBU0103).  

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