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, January 24, 2024

Paul Hartley Quartet featuring Rod Mason @ the Railway Stockport - Jan. 23

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Paul Hartley (guitar); Rod Mason (saxes); Peter Hartley (bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

After having to abort my usual Sunday journey to Stockport due to the trains not running and the replacement bus not showing up I was pleased that on Tuesday the train was on time and although the wind was at gale force I got to the Railway without getting blown into the street on my 20 minute walk from the station to the pub. It must have been a  hairy drive across the Pennines for Rod Mason but he was the first of the musicians to arrive at around 8:00pm well in advance of the 9:00pm start. Rod is a frequent guest at this venue and always attracts a good turnout but for some reason more people arrived in the second half than the first.

He started the show with Estate a tune that has become popular ever since it was recorded by trumpeters Woody Shaw and Chet Baker. Rod played soprano sax on this one. 


Out of a really interesting selection of tunes - 12 in total - if I had to pick a highspot it would be the Denzil Best number Wee which is sometimes known as Allen’s Alley and played at breakneck tempo with some explosive stickwork from Dave Walsh. I love these old bop tunes. During this number Rod quoted Happy Birthday to You as a tribute to jazz loving landlord Ray who is doing such a great job in keeping live jazz going in Stockport. 


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Jan 29 and features the Gaz Hughes Trio. Mike Farmer


Estate; Here’s That Rainy Day; Gone With the Wind; This I Dig of You; Ill Wind; The Night Has a Thousand Eyes; Bag’s Groove; Secret Love; I’ve Got You Under my Skin; Wee; Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; You Don’t Know What Love Is.

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