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

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.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Friday, March 04, 2022

Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - March 4

Tommy Moran (tenor sax); Alan Marshall (alto/soprano sax/clarinet); Neville Hartley (trombone/vocals); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Alan Rudd (bass); Tommy Graham (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals).

The weather outside may have been frightful but it didn’t deter the faithful from taking their seats for their weekly fix of Classic Swing. This seven piece has a loyal following of fans, hardy souls who wouldn’t let a mere downpour stop them from enjoying two hours of good music in convivial surroundings.

As always, the band started with their signature tune Classic Swing written by Tommy Moran and the feet started tapping. Everyone knew this one and knew that it would  herald an afternoon when old favourites would be interspersed with tunes not so well known and some original material.

The old favourites were there to savour. Olive sang Swing That Music and Bye Bye Blackbird, whilst Neville took his turn on vocals with Buona Sera and Nevertheless. However, amongst the more recognisable, was a smattering of the lesser known, Don’t Blame Me and East of The Sun  beautifully taken by Olive and an original by Tommy Moran called Jeremy’s Jive written to showcase the skill of Mr. McMurray on  piano.

The rapport between band and audience is plain to see. Here is a well established group of musicians  who are obviously very comfortable with each other and who enjoy what they do. And here is an audience very appreciative of that. Delightful.
Sylvia

Classic Swing; Swing That Music; East of the Sun; Sweet Sue; Buena Sera; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Back in Your Own Back Yard; Blue Lou; Don’t Blame Me; You Were Meant For Me; Jeremy’s Jive. Nevertheless; Bye Bye Blackbird.

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