Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: 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 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Monday, May 16, 2022

Steve Pimlott Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - May 15

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Steve Pimlott (tenor sax); Richard Wetherall (piano); Tom Collins (bass); Phil Bennett (drums).

The opening tune was an unusual choice for a quartet being the Neil Hefti composition Flight of the Foo Birds which was featured on The Atomic Mr Basie, an iconic recording which was a best seller for the Count Basie Big Band.  I think it worked well in a small group setting and I was immediately impressed by the powerful sound on bass of Tom Collins whom I've not come across before. Once again the house piano was being used and who better to find on this gig than Richard Wetherall who is always interesting to listen to. Add to the mix Phil Bennett on drums and the scene is set for a great night of modern jazz.

Some of the tunes played tonight were written by Steve and the rest were originals such as Giant Steps by John Coltrane and Circular Motion by pianist Phil Markovitz plus a few standards and ballads. Hard to pick out any highlights but I have a great liking for the way Steve plays Laura which always reminds me of one of the first 78s I ever bought which was an early version of this number by the great tenorman Don Byas. Steve also sounded great on Giant Steps and his sound on this number made me think of Harold Land who had a similar playing style.

The next jazz night at the Railway is Tues May 17 with the Trefor Owen Trio.

Mike Farmer

 

Flight of the Foo Birds; All of You; L'escalier Vert; Pryllic; Laura; Like Someone in Love; Take That as a no; Circular Motion; Darn That Dream; Giant Steps; A Ha’penny of Tar; The Masquerade is Over.

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