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.

Monday, November 06, 2023

Greg Abate @ the Globe - Nov. 5

(© Ken Drew)
Greg Abate (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); John Pope (bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble  (tenor sax)

A co-promotion between Jazz North East and the Jazz Coop led to a knockout session by ace American alto saxophonist Greg Abate who delighted a near capacity crowd - there were rows of occupied seats as far as the eye could see - with his prodigious technique ably assisted by a homegrown rhythm section.

A mix of bop-flavoured originals and standards, the evening just flew past. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a gig so much. Oh yes I can, it was the last time Greg was in town!

(© Ken Drew)
He also had a surprise in store inviting local tenor sax star Harry Keeble to join him on stage for a couple of numbers. Harry stepped up to the plate and together they got a great sound. Harry's a contender.

Special mention also of the trio. With a minimum, if any, of rehearsal they did the business and they can hold their heads up high.

A minor quibble, Greg didn't play flute this time round and if he did occasionally overdo the quotes it was done so tastefully I had no cause to complain.

Truly a night to remember. See you next year. Lance 

All the Things You Are; Afternoon in Paris; DSR (Deep Seated Reality); Times Past (a re-working of Body and Soul); Jag; Diverse/Segment; Yardbird Suite; Lullaby of the Leaves; Star Eyes; Positive Energy (w. HK); On the Road (w. HK); Secret Love; Light Scene; Triste

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