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

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.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Friday, February 02, 2024

Album review: Abbie Finn Trio - Stotties for Three

Abbie Finn (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Paul Grainger (double bass)

Stotties for Three received a fanfare launch at Soho's Pizza Express. Southerners were present (many of them), a smattering of northerners, too. Stotties for three were on the menu (ie all eight tracks from the Abbie Finn Trio's new album). The album's compositions, all of which were recorded last year at Blank Studios in Newcastle, are by bandleader Finn.

Northern/family/friends connections abound: Nee Messin' gets right down to it, ie nee/no messing around; Sheila's Song for Finn's grandmother (drummer Finn soloing); Pirates Not Princesses (a memory of childhood); the ballad form Into the Dene (Jesmond Dene, Newcastle) featuring Harry Keeble's assured tenor saxophone playing; Where Are We Going for Lunch? (referencing a frequently asked question prior to/during a rehearsal/recording session) sees Finn directing, Keeble commanding, Grainger negotiating every twist and turn of its old school, swinging sections and grabbing a solo into the bargain.    

Mardi Groove and 210  may or may not have a regional connection, no matter, the former hits a Crescent City groove, the latter a rollercoaster ride. Catching the Wind (an exercise in futility?) closes the album. Stotties for lunch, anyone? Russell

Stotties for Three is available from: www.abbiefinn.com.    

Nee Messin'Sheila's SongPirates Not PrincessesMardi GrooveInto the Dene210Where Are We Going for Lunch?Catching the Wind

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