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).

Monday, March 27, 2023

Robin Sunflower Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - March 26

Robin Sunflower (harmonica, vocal); Adrian Ingram (guitar); Hayden  Minett (guitar); Nick Lunn (bass guitar).

Plenty of tunes were played tonight, fifteen in total which included Ellingtonia, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Henry Mancini and a number composed by Robin called Rainbow Dreams.  As well as playing harmonica Robin took care of the vocals and the guitar solos were taken mainly by Adrian Ingram, with Hayden Minett taking the remainder. All the musicians were positioned inside the small bandstand with Nick Lunn being the only one not sitting down.

I know Mr Sunflower is a big fan of the late Toots Thielemans so I was a bit surprised  to not hear any of the Belgian’s tunes tonight but perhaps Robin is saving these for his appearance at the Railway next month on April 23 when he presents a tribute to Toots. I believe he will have a different line-up for this gig with the house piano being involved.


Regarding the vocals which were featured on about half the tunes tonight I thought Sunflower sounded a bit like the trumpeter Jack Sheldon who had a similar voice and liked singing Ellington tunes.


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Tuesday March 29 with the Paul Hartley Quartet featuring Alex Clarke. Mike Farmer


Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Mood Indigo; Perfidia; Tenor Madness; God Bless Tthe Child; Honeysuckle Rose; Rainbow Dreams; Take the A Train; In a Sentimental Mood; Canteloupe Island; There Will Never be Another You; Song For my Father; Moon River; I've Got the World on a String; Sleepyhead?

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