Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, April 29, 2024

Ben Crosland Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - April 28

(© Jeff Pritchard)
Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Dean Stockdale (keys); Jon Taylor (tenor sax); Dave Tyas (drums).

Like last week, the audience for this Sunday night gig was less than usual but there were enough people present to give the room some atmosphere and Ben wisely turned over most of the tune selecting to his tenor saxist Jon Taylor who as far as I know has never played here before. I remember seeing him play a gig many years ago at a small pub in Yorkshire but I think it was during the time I used to make frequent trips to the Anchor Inn in Brighouse a great venue, run by jazz loving landlord Rod Marshall who, I believe, is no longer with us. 


It was great to see and hear Jon Taylor again and when he opened the show with Lullaby of the Leaves I was immediately impressed with the big sound he produced on his Selmer Mk Seven tenor sax. He has that Gene Ammons' approach that I love to hear and I liked his flute work especially on the tune Take Off.  I hope he enjoyed playing here as he proved to be an ideal replacement for Ben’s usual front line reedsman Rod Mason. 


Dave Tyas, who many will have seen leading various big bands, did a good job driving things along and I am sure Ben Crosland will be pleased with the way things worked out and the audience certainly liked what they heard.      


Next jazz night at the Railway is tomorrow April 30 with the Trefor Owen Quartet. Mike Farmer

 

Lullaby of the Leaves; Moonglow; Tenor Madness; Poor Butterfly; All the Things You Are; Take Off; This Could Happen to You Indecision; Until the Real Thing Comes Along; Triste; Song for my Father;

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