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

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.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Monday, May 22, 2023

Sunday Night @ the Globe: Giles Strong Quartet - May 21

(© Debra M)
Giles Strong (guitar); Pete Tanton (trumpet/flugel); Ian Paterson (bass); John Bradford (drums).

Chamber jazz played to perfection by four of the area's finest. It was done so tastefully and with not much Crash! Bang! Wallop! Although, perhaps an occasional injection of CBW would have added a little extra spice to the two sets.

Still, no one was complaining. The intimate atmosphere - there were candles on tables although the curtains and blinds remained unlowered which questioned the point of the candles - blended nicely with the music. 

Giles Strong has been on the scene for a few years, albeit not long enough to be awarded 'venerable' status - that day will come - his solos and his compositions were just right for the gig. They were both subtle and swinging.

Pete Tanton, strident on trumpet, mellow on flugel. Because the session was being recorded Pete didn't get a chance to sing. Bad move - it could have charted!

Man about jazztown is drummer Bradford. He gets more gigs than Alan Barnes, maybe even as many as Paul Grainger. He'd just blown in from the rainy city where he'd been gigging at the Manchester Jazz Festival with Zoë Gilby.

However, the revelation of the evening was bassist Ian Paterson. Ian's always been a top man on bass be it 'the old bull fiddle' or the various Fenders or their derivatives. Tonight he was right on the money.

It was a good gig with a balanced mix of standards and originals. Was this their first gig? If so, they're heading in the right direction - watch this space. Lance

Billy's Blues (not to be confused with Billie's Blues); I Hear a Rhapsody; Coco in Paris; You'll be There, I'll be Here (There Will Never be Another You); Love For Sale; Mobo Time; This is New; On Green Dolphin Street; Brother Keith; Walk to Wall; Song For a Friend; I'll Remember April; Nature Boy; Autumn Leaves.

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