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.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Jo Harrop @ The Oxford Tavern, London - March 14

Jo Harrop (vocals); Jamie McCredie (guitar); Jihad Darwish (double bass); Peter Adam Hill (drums) + Paul Edis (piano)

Jo Harrop is riding the crest of a wave. Weathering the Storm, her duo album with guitarist Jamie McCredie, garnered rave reviews (one critic describing it as 'perfect') and her latest recording, The Heart Wants, is making a big impact. An upcoming vinyl album launch gig at Ronnie Scott's plus a string of tour dates suggest our County Durham raised, London resident vocalist's star is in the ascendant. This evening at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town Harrop brought in the A-Team.

You'd be so nice to come home to sang Harrop. Great! And what a band! Richard Rodgers' Lover followed by Early Autumn from Weathering the Storm, Jo Harrop's ear for a good tune is an invaluable asset and her 'late-night' vocal style never fails to draw in the listener. Throw in a dirty blues from Bessie Smith (Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl) and a swinging Too Close for Comfort and our girl from 'up north' had 'em wrapped around her little finger.

Harrop regularly works with bassist Jihad Darwish (our man has 'up north' connections) and drummer Peter Adam Hill. These guys are the business, no question. Jamie McCredie is an amazing guitarist, as fluent as any six-stringer, ideas tumbling forth (he too hails from the north east of England) and Harrop's special guest on this Monday evening gig, pianist Paul Edis, is another who upped sticks from Tyneside, making London his home. 

Hill featured on Just One of Those Things, Harrop and Darwish alone together on Elvis Costello's Almost Blue will live long in the memory, Everything's Changing from the new album, all five musicians on the stand were on top form. Lerner and Loewe's Wouldn't it be Loverly (from My Fair Lady), Guilty (plucked from the early thirties), Jo Harrop (and band) made this a night to remember. 

In addition to her upcoming album launch on Frith Street (April 25) Jo Harrop has a string of dates lined-up, one of them is sure to be near you. Do yourself a favour, go hear a singer at the top of her game. Russell
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