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

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

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.

Thursday, September 01, 2022

Album review: The Riviera Quartet - Riviera Deluxe

Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass tks 1-4); John Pope (double bass tks 5-9); Russ Morgan (drums)

The nine tracks on this Jazz Sound Records' album (JSR013) are from the Tyneside Riviera by way of Alabama, USA. Trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals and compositions are the work of ex-pat American Pete Tanton. This new release comprising material from two recording sessions, the first in August 2018, the second in January 2020, features the exceptional talents of guitarist Mark Williams, drummer Russ Morgan and two bassists - John Pope on the 2018 studio date and Andy Champion on the 2020 session. 

Light and breezy (think the French Riviera), Tanton's considered lyrics paint a picture of an easy going individual seeing the world through a somewhat wistful lens. All four musicians are first rate soloists and their collective sound is key to evoking a sense of place and time. The opening track - Tell Me When it's Safe to Open My Eyes - could be seen as a commentary on the long days of lockdown; You Don't Smile Anymore could be a deeply personal narrative; Lately I've Been Lonely could be for every (wo)man. 

Highly recommended: RIVIERA QUARTET. JAZZ SOUND RECORDSRussell

Track listing: Tell Me When it's Safe to Open My EyesTo Heaven OvernightI Fall in LoveIt's Not as Bad as You Might ThinkMoral CompassOne Kiss;  You Don't Smile AnymoreLately I've Been LonelyThe Getaway

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