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

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.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - Jan. 26

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Peter Ayton (bass guitar); Paul Smith (drums).

Expectations were high for a night of first class jazz from our first guest band of the year - a quartet comprising some of the best jazz musicians in the area.

Mark's up tempo composition, Riff Raff, set the style for the night with solos all round and showing just how well these experienced musicians play together. After the well-known Just Friends, the mood was changed with another composition of Mark's, a beautifully played ballad One Fine Day. Tasteful sax and piano solos from Mark and Jeremy. 

With the excellent backing of Paul on drums and Peter on bass On Green Dolphin Street, gave Mark and Jeremy further opportunity to stretch out.

Another of Mark's compositions was the medium swing You're In Love With Me, followed by It's You or no One, from one of Dexter Gordon’s great Blue Note albums.

The first set was brought to a close with a lovely Latin composition of Mark's I Don't Know What To Say.

The second set opened with Cole Porter’s What Is This Thing Called Love? which included a blistering piano solo from Jeremy.

Hold My Hand, another of Mark's compositions, was followed by Dizzy Gillespie's  A Night in Tunisia, with a nice drum intro.

The Jimmy Van Heusen number It Could Happen to You, was nicely played, again with good solos all round.

The night was then brought to a close with the Latin number Mambo Inn, allowing Paul to show his great drumming skills.

It is always a pleasure to listen to Mark's quartet playing both standards and his own compositions with an appreciative audience at Dorman’s.

Many thanks also to the staff of Dorman’s Club for their help and support with the jazz night. Ron Hampton

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