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

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

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: 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.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Gair Carson Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Gair Carson (alto/tenor sax/flute/alto flute); Paul Hartley (guitars); Ken Marley (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums).

Gair Carson is a familiar face in saxophone sections throughout the north west having played in numerous big bands and in smaller outfits where his multi instrumental skills have been much in demand. I am always interested in hearing a flute played well and Mr Carson did some nice work on alto flute during a Keith Jarrett tune entitled  Koln Concert Part 2.  


He played a total of fifteen numbers during the evening and they included compositions by Charlie Parker, Pat Metheny, Nat Adderley, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Green and Thelonious Monk.   The bad weather no doubt had an effect on the turnout tonight as there were a few empty seats in the music room but the quartet did not let that bother them and they gave the music their full attention.


I really liked their interpretation of the much played standard Body and Soul which was done in 5/4 time. I also thought they did a great job on Monk’s Well You Needn’t and that can be hard to play with that tricky middle eight. It was nice to hear Long Ago and Far Away which featured Gair’s tenor sax and this made me think of the great version by altoman Benny Carter which was on an EP that I used to own. It was good to see Ken Marley on bass tonight and along with Eryl Roberts that was one first rate rhythm team.     


The next jazz night at the Railway will be on Sunday Nov 19 with Mark Hardman Quartet featuring Neil Yates. Mike Farmer

 

Long Ago and Far Away; One Note Samba; Billie’s Bounce; I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face; A Slow Boat To China; James; Body and Soul; Salt Peanuts; Work Song; Koln Concert Part 2; Well You Needn’t; Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most; Spain; Cheesecake.

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