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.

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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