Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

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

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Luis Verde @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - July 19

© Trevor Finn
Luis Verde (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax)

Earlier in the day up the road in Newcastle, alto saxophonist Luis Verde wowed a full house at the Lit and Phil. Here at the Traveller's Rest in Cockerton, Darlington, the upstairs room on West Auckland Road filled up nicely, the majority of those taking their seats would be hearing the Tyneside based Spaniard for the first time. Looking around the room, Señor Verde pronounced himself happy with his surroundings, not least the portraits of some of the jazz greats adorning the walls.

Luis Verde's Newcastle concert featured numbers written by Wayne Shorter. This Darlington engagement would adopt a similar theme. Opening with One by One, the 'jaw-dropping awe' witnessed at the Lit and Phil was evident here at Opus 4. Scarcely believable paint-stripping alto sax and superb contributions from the rhythm section ('rhythm section' does these guys a disservice!) comprising pianist Dean Stockdale, bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer Abbie Finn, made for a breathless start.

Across the course of two sets the quartet (the evening was much more than 'frontman plus rhythm section') played a blinder. Wayne Shorter plus one or two original compositions made for a fabulous evening. Laying down impossibly good solos, from time to time Verde would stand to one side (on this warm summer's evening standing by an open window), enabling the 'trio' to swing like nobody's business. Listening to Dean, Mick and Abbie as a trio was worth every penny of the admission money - and to think Luis was the main attraction!

Infant Eyes, Prince of Darkness (Wayne Shorter's composition from Miles Davis' Sorcerer album), Luis and co were on top form. Opus 4 Jazz Club's regulars liked what they were hearing. And as if it couldn't get any better, Luis invited tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble to join the party. Luis saying, almost as an aside: I like playing with him [Harry Keeble]. Luis and Harry tore into Yes or No. Wow! The horns going for it, the rhythm section cookin', this was Opus 4 Jazz Club (at heart a 'modern jazz club') at its very, very best! Russell          
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