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: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
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, June 17, 2024

Dave Walsh Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - June 16

© Jeff Pritchard
Dave Walsh (drums); Alex Clarke (alto/tenor sax); Richard Wetherall (piano); Ken Marley (bass).

This gig was advertised in the June flyer as the Dave Walsh Trio but as you can see from the above line-up, four  musicians turned up to play. I only knew that Alex Clarke was involved when during a chance encounter with Graham Brook, jazz promoter and fellow Handforth  resident,  told me he had seen on her website that she was due to appear here with Dave Walsh.  

I was pleased to see that Richard Wetherall was once again seated at the house piano and also that Ken Marley was on hand to take charge of the bass parts. He also provided a couple of his own interesting compositions My Apology Waltz and  Kenderley.


Not all the tunes played tonight were announced and one which Alex played on tenor had me thinking that I used to play this number years ago. Eventually it came to me that it was a Sonny Rollins tune but the title I still could not recall. It turned out to be Paul’s Pal. There was also a standard that I’d not heard for ages and which had me puzzled for a while - Just You, Just Me.  This was another number that I used to play and that someone had transposed the classic Lester Young solo for me.


I liked the tune which opened the show All Of You which had Alex playing alto sax and this reminded me of a fantastic LP which I regret selling which featured Bobby Jaspar playing a great version of this number. Alex, I would guess, is following in the footsteps of the late Sonny Stitt who also liked to alternate between alto  and tenor sax.


Dave Walsh was featured on the final tune of the evening Clifford Brown’s blues Sandu and so ended another successful night at the Railway.      


The next night of jazz at this venue is a special tribute night on Tuesday June 18 for the late great guitar legend Glenn Cartlidge . Mike Farmer


All Of You; Blue Monk; My Apology Waltz; Paul's Pal; Desifinado; Just You, Just Me; Kenderley; The Way You Look Tonight; Sandu.

No comments :

Blog Archive