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

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).

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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.

Wednesday, August 02, 2023

John Allcock Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - August 1

John Allcock (tenor sax); Freddie Garner (keys); Steve Berry (bass); Tim Franks (drums).

Those of you who read my review of Suzanne Fonseca’s recent gig on July 30 will have seen that I mentioned that the next gig at the Railway would be the Ed Kainyek Quartet but the band that arrived was a different one. I never found  out the reason for Ed’s non appearance but his replacement John Allcock turned out to be a very interesting player.


During a brief chat in the interval I learnt that he lived in Coventry but now resides in Manchester. He produced a great sound on his horn which reminded me of Tina Brooks or Clifford Jordan and was impressive on his version of the much played Johnny Green standard Body and Soul.  Most of the numbers featured tonight were familiar  standards plus originals by Monk, Rollins, Sam Rivers, and Wayne Shorter.


Freddie Garner can always  be relied upon to keep the bebop vibe going and at 87 years he shows no sign of slowing down. He must have played these tunes so many times but he always sounds inspired when he is behind his Roland keyboard.


Steve Berry, of course, many jazz fans will have seen him in the iconic big band Loose Tubes and I remember him from my occasional visits to the Rawtenstall jazzspot the Rhythm Station where he was often to be seen.There’s no doubt in my mind that jazz is one area where experience counts and it's good to see up and coming young players on the bandstand alongside veteran musicians.


I certainly hope to see more of John Allcock before too long and if you get the chance to see him perform you will enjoy the experience as I did. 


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Aug 6 with the Dean Masser Quartet. Mike Farmer

 

Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; I'll Remember April; There is no Greater Love; Beatrice; Rhythm-a-Ning; Girl From Ipenema; If I Were a Bell; What is This Thing Called Love?; Footprints; Tenor Madness.

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