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.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Liam Byrne Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - August 16

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Liam Byrne (tenor sax/soprano sax); Tom Kincaid (piano); Andy Hulme (guitar); Ed Harrison (bass).

This was an interesting session and I think I think I would be right in describing the band as a mainstream jazz group. There was no drummer involved but it swung well and the tempos were tight. Tom Kincaid has not played at this venue for some time and I was pleased to see him using the house upright on this occasion. Whoever tunes this piano does a pretty good job and the overall sound of this group was just right for the size of the room.

Andy Hulme, who has been here many times with his fellow guitarist Trefor Owen, was in top form and although Tuesdays are not as busy as Sundays there was a sizable audience here who liked what they were hearing.


If you like Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen’s tenor playing you are sure to like Liam Byrne. He used his curved 1923 Conn soprano to great effect on only one number which was Poor Butterfly a tune that I always associate with Zoot Sims. Ed Harrison was excellent on bass and his solos were spot on.


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Sunday Aug 21 with the Susan Fonseca Quartet. Mike Farmer.

 

I’m Getting Sentimental Over You; So in Love; Jitterbug Waltz; Laura; Blues For the Railway; Watch What Happens. Just One of Those Things; Poor Butterfly; Blue Lester; Tea For Two.

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