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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Friday, August 26, 2022

Suzanne Fonseca Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - August 21

(© Jim Pritchard)
Suzanne Fonseca (trombone); Jim Faulkner (guitar); Gavin Barras (bass); Danny Ward (drums).

This was the second time I have seen Suzanne's quartet with a guitar in the line up and who better to fill this role than Jim Faulkner? Jim's a musician whose sound and playing style is ideal for this band. 

The opening number, In A Mellotone, is a good tune to start with and a relaxed mood was established. It was good to see Danny Ward on drums and his brush work was just what was required. By the end of the number the room had filled up and, as well as the regular Sunday night jazz fans, there were a few new faces which is always good to see.

Looking through my notes I see that the majority  of the tunes played were well known standards but there were also three bossa novas included.  I know next to nothing about the trombone but Suzanne makes playing it look so easy although I bet it is anything but!  She gets a great warm sound on the instrument and if you ever get the chance to see her you will not be disappointed. Gavin Barras on bass, who those in the north-east will know from his frequent visits to the area, did, as always,  a great job tonight.


The next jazz night at the Railway will be on Aug. 28 with Robin Sunflower.
Mike Farmer

 

In a Mellotone; Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; Só Danço Samba; Like Someone in Love; Zingaro; 'S Wonderful’; Bags' Groove; All the Things You Are; Caravan; Triste; Darn That Dream; Have You Met Miss Jones?; Gone With the Wind; Bésame Mucho.

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