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. CANCELLED!

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.

Monday, August 01, 2022

Derrick Harris Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - July 31

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Derrick Harris (guitar); Andrzej Baranek (keys); Jose Canha (bass); Paul Smith (drums).

This line-up was a a more modern sounding one than the one that last appeared here and upon looking at the list of a dozen tunes played I noticed an absence of any numbers by Wes Montgomery but we did hear some interesting compositions by the likes of John Schofield, Jimmy Heath, Duke Jordan, Luiz Bonfa and Horace Silver plus a bunch of originals by Derrick Harris himself.


There was a bass player on this gig who was new to me and he did a fine job handling some difficult themes. His name is Jose Canha and Derrick mentioned he was from Portugal but on checking on the internet I find he has been living in Leeds and has worked with an impressive list of UK musicians and is also involved in education.


Andrzej Baranek is of course well known to everyone here at the Railway and if you need a hard driving bebopper with a great sound he is the guy to get. He was in fantastic form tonight and his solos were inspiring the rest of the band and getting a great response from the audience.


I’d also like to mention the drumwork of Paul Smith who impressed me with his sound on cymbals and his dexterity on brushes. The volume level of the guitar and the keyboard were a bit higher than I personally prefer but I guess that could be due to the nature of the material played.It all added to the excitement though and I would certainly like to see this version of the Derrick Harris Quartet do a repeat performance
in
 the near future.


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Tuesday Aug 2 with the Steve Oakes Group featuring pianist Richard Weatherall. Mike Farmer

 

Zig Zag; Sunrise; One Morning in May; For Minors Only; Can’t Dance Won’t Dance; I’ll Catch You; Samba de Orpheus Shiny Stockings; White Rabbit; Chant; Ecaroh; Groovelation.

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