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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: 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 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Jam session @ The tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 12: Look Left @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

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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