Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

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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