Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

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

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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