Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, August 08, 2022

Central Bar Quintet plays John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell - August 8

Giles Strong (guitar); Jamie Toms (alto sax); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Second Monday in the month. What's happening? Central Bar, Gateshead end of the High Level Bridge, a classic Blue Note album (other iconic labels get a look in) played in full. That's what's happening. This month the Central Bar Quintet tore into John Jenkins' 1957 recording with Kenny Burrell.

John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell marked a high point in the all too short career of the post bop alto saxophonist. The CB5 opened, as per the recording, with From This Moment On. Revelatory alto sax playing from Jamie Toms suggested this was going to be some session. Known for his tenor work with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band and his own outfit Not Now Charlie, Toms made the bridge between the bop players and Ornette Coleman. JT's frontline partner Giles Strong had Kenny Burrell down to a tee. The pair's unison passages were a joy to hear, aided and abetted by the ace rhythm section of Alan Law, Mick Shoulder and John Bradford.

Jenkins' bluesy Motif, the ballad form of Everything I Have is Yours, this was shaping up to be one cracking session! Solo space for all five on the stand made for a convivial occasion, special mention, as ever, for the cast iron dynamism of pianist Alan Law. 

A killing Blues for Two took it home. What a great session! Next one, don't forget, second Monday in the month, September 12. Seven thirty sharp. A fiver on the door. Support jazz in Gateshead! Russell

Set list: From This Moment On; Motif; Everything I Have is Yours; Sharon; Chalumeau; Blues for Two.
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