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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 2025).

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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

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

Monday, September 05, 2022

Al Wood Quintet @ the Railway, Stockport - Sept. 4

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Al Wood (alto sax); Richard Isles (flugel); Martin Longhawn (keys); Dave Lynane (bass); Dave Hassell (drums). 

This was the sort of line-up that I like to hear at the Railway as most of the gigs that happen here tend to be one horn plus rhythm but adding a brass player certainly widens the choice of tunes to be played. We heard a great selection of numbers by the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Hank Mobley, Benny Carter, Bobby Timmons, Cannonball Adderley and Clifford Brown.  There was a lot of chart reading on the bandstand and this presented a problem in that it was difficult to get a good photo of all the musicians but the music is what mattered and it was well received by the audience.


A newcomer to this venue was Martin Longhawn who, on Korg keyboard, impressed everyone with his solo work and also his comping which was ideal for this group reminding me of Wynton Kelly and Bobby Timmons. 


A further highlight for me was the group’s version of the blues  Sack of Woe which was featured on that fantastic Cannonball Adderley album Live at the Lighthouse, and Martin got things spot on when he played the intro originally done by Victor Feldman. The two Daves sounded in fine form and their playing on this tune and others showed that their vast experience counts a lot in jazz.


Other tunes that I enjoyed were the Phil Woods' composition My Man Benny which was a dedication to the late Benny Carter and featured fine solo work from Richard Isles who, according to Al Wood, was using a horn that once belonged to Kenny Wheeler. The Hank Mobley tune Funk in a Deep Freeze is one I like to hear and the Jobim tune One Note Samba worked well as a closing number. Al Wood is a top class saxman and I went home very pleased with what I'd heard.   


The next jazz night at the Railway is Tuesday Sept. 6 with Steve Oakes Band featuring Freddie Garner. Mike Farmer

 

Jeru; Funk in a Deep Freeze; Tiphouse; Sack of Woe; My Man Benny; Who's Got Rhythm?; Dat Dere; Friends Again; Sometime Ago; Joy Spring; One Note Samba.

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