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

Friday, December 16, 2022

Cormac Loane w. the Dean Stockdale Trio @ the Lit & Phil - Dec. 16

(© Patti)
Cormac Loane (alto sax/alto flute/clarinet); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); John Bradford (drums) + Steve Summers (tenor sax).

Back in the day when we all were young, Cormac Loane was even younger when, as a schoolboy, he wandered in to a Newcastle Big Band session clutching an alto saxophone. He sat in and proceeded to blow everyone's minds - how could one be so young and yet so good? Maybe Mozart?

Fast forward, give or take, 50 years and that same young man (now older) was headlining today at the popular monthly JATLP sessions.

His prowess hadn't diminished in the interim years and the set list comprised a selection of tried and tested standards that didn't cause any brows to furrow which, I'm sure pleased the Lit & Phil regulars.

The degree of hesitancy he showed on the opening All the Things You Are disappeared as the session progressed and his confidence grew with the realisation that the audience were with him 100%.

In between numbers he spoke of his learning curve at school thanks to the inspiration he received from his music teacher Maurice Rodham and later George McDonald, both of whom were present.

Cormac also reflected on his time with the Newcastle Big Band mentioning some of the members. I didn't make the cut but, as Sting didn't either, I was in good company!

The sound on alto was refreshingly cool bringing to mind Lee Konitz or Art Pepper. His command in the upper register being particularly impressive.

The alto flute didn't work quite as well for me although it did have a good sound. Clarinet was okay without lighting any fires but, overall, it was his alto playing that stood out.

Needless to say that what is becoming virtually the house rhythm section here, there and everywhere provided perfect support.

The set closed with another former pupil of St Cussies - Steve Summers - joining Cormac for a two sax blast on Blue Monk and On Great Dolphin Street.

Another enjoyable, sold out, session which, in today's economic (and wintry) climate, indicates that somebody is doing something right. Lance  

All the Things You Are; Satin Doll; Manhä de Carnival; Stranger on the Shore; Love For Sale; Body and Soul; Blue Monk; On Green Dolphin Street.
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