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.

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, November 09, 2022

Album review: The Banger Factory - Warriors

Mark Kavuma (trumpet); Theo Erskine (tenor sax); Ruben Fox (bass clarinet); Deschanel Gordon (piano); Conor Chaplin (bass); Luca Caruso (drums).

"Based upon the question of what the word ‘warrior’ means to each band member, the project seeks to link the past to the present, paying homage to American jazz tradition. It features collaborations between different generations of musicians that have benefitted from the Tomorrow’s Warriors community in London, with a palette of post-bop, afro-cuban grooves and spiritual jazz."

The above blurb describes the inspiration behind this latest release from The Banger Factory and the album does everything it promises.

It would be difficult to assemble a better sextet than the above six musicians to handle the criteria. Kavuma's playing, writing and arranging have already received much acclaim and this splendid album only serves to further enhance his standing. Fox gives the bass clarinet the acceptance it has long deserved, Erskine blows tenor worthy of comparision with anyone on the current scene whilst Gordon, once the new kid on the block is rapidly becoming the man you call first. Chaplin is long established but,
apart from some livestreams during lockdown, Caruso has been rarely sighted - at least not by me - hopefully that will change.

Available Nov. 18 on vinyl or download. 

It's an album worth checking out in whatever format. Lance

Warriors Part 1; Warriors Part 2; Chromolunga; Anansi's Waltz; Zorro; Sunzo.

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