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

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.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Monday, March 04, 2024

Derrick Harris Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - March 3

 (© Jeff Pritchard)
Derrick Harris (guitar); Darren Lloyd (trumpet/flugel); José Canha (bass); Paul Smith (drums).

On previous visits to the Railway Derrick has used a keyboard player, usually Andrzej Baranek but for this gig he had as his front-line partner Darren Lloyd a fine musician who I have not had the pleasure of hearing before. My friend Jeff tells me that Darren played here recently as part of the Mike Hall Octet but I missed that gig. If you like the Chet Baker style of playing as I do then you will like Darren’s sound and he did a great job of sight reading Derrick’s interesting charts.


I liked all the eleven tunes that were played, even I'll Remember April which was played three times in two weeks at the Railway by various bands. I thought that the Luiz Bonfá composition Samba de Orpheu worked well and one thing I have noticed is that although the guitarist was using foot-pedals they were used sparingly and were  not intrusive. Recently there have been quite a number of guitar players here at the Railway and I must say that the more I hear Derrick Harris the more I like what he is doing. I was also impressed with the rhythm section and the great groove that they established. It was good to see Paul Smith using his brushes to enhance the music.


The next jazz night at the Railway is on Tues March 5 with the Ed Kainyek Quartet. Mike Farmer

 

Days Gone By; Sandu; Zig Zag; Sometime Ago; Samba de Orpheu; Shiny Stockings; Can’t Dance; One Morning In May; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; White Rabbit; I'll Remember April.

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