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.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Jazz at the Lit and Phil: Dave Newton and Dean Stockdale - May 17

Dave Newton(right), Dean Stockdale (pianos)

Usually one plus one equals two but not today at the monthly jazz recital at the Lit and Phil.  Today one plus one equalled a delightful  hour of piano music by two  accomplished musicians. Two pianos, two virtuoso pianists and another full house.

Dave Newton has topped the various annual British Jazz Awards’ ‘Best Pianist’ category on no fewer than sixteen occasions while Dean Stockdale has regularly delighted audiences nationwide with his solo piano, trio, and quartet performances including his critically acclaimed ‘Celebrating Oscar’ (Oscar Peterson) project which subsequently toured the British Isles.

These performers obviously know each other well and were able, with a glance or a smile, to weave beautiful and clever  improvisations with musical quotes and humour, obviously enjoying  the experience as much as the audience did. (Did I really hear a snatch of Popeye the Sailor Man in I'll Remember April?)

The program set list was thrown out the window and none of the tunes were introduced to the audience which only served to indicate that these musicians were here to enjoy themselves as much as to entertain. And entertain they did!  So my apologies if I didn’t get all the titles and corrections will be gratefully received. Sylvia

The set list included: Joy Spring (Clifford Brown); Trieste (Antonio Carlos Jobim); I'll Remember April (Gene de Paul ); Moonlight in Vermont (Blackman and Suessdorf); St Thomas (Sonny Rollins); Oleo (Sonny Rollins)

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