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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

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

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.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: 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 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

New Year's Resolutions

I know that new year resolutions are made to be broken and that few reach February. However, here's a few to consider:

  • Attend as many jazz gigs as you're able to such as The Globe, Black Swan, Blaydon Jazz Club, Lit  & Phil, Crescent Club, Hoochie Coochie, the Glasshouse, Central Bar, Prohibition Bar, the Vault, Dorman's, Park Inn, the Gala, and any others where the J word is mentioned.
  • Also drink as much beer, wine or whatever your favourite tipple is as this ensures that the venue realises that the music is pulling in the customers. Of course, if you're driving ...
  • Don't get typecast as a purist - music is for everyone and if you don't try it ...
  • Vow to log on to BSH every day. It's updated daily and devoted to all forms of jazz - past, present and future. If you want to know what Louis Armstrong had for dinner on January 23, 1937, we can tell you it was red beans and rice - seemingly on that day and every day!
  • Finally, if you see my co-pilot Russell or myself dying of thirst a pint of real ale will revive us. Lance

1 comment :

Russell said...

The Vault...make that x2 (Darlington & Hexham). So many other venues...Auckland Castle, Traveller's Rest, Queen's Hall, Oxbridge Hotel, Fire Station, Seventeen Nineteen, Sunderland (the new kid on the block), the Schooner (Gateshead) now hosting a first Sunday in the month jam session. And mine's a pint of...

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