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

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).

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Luis Verde with the Dean Stockdale Trio @ the Lit & Phil, Newcastle - July 19

© Ken Drew
Luis Verde (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Abbie Finn (drums).

The Spaniards who blighted our lives last Sunday have now been consigned to the history books. One Spaniard who hasn't blighted our lives is Luis Verde who, at the Lit & Phil's monthly lunchtime concert this afternoon, gave a superb recital that showed just why he is so highly regarded.

The concept was the music of Wayne Shorter and the hour just flew by as we sat and listened in jaw-dropping awe of his technique. However, this was more than a fleet-fingered saxophonist running through the changes almost at the speed of light, this was and is a player who knows exactly what he's putting down even if the idea only came a split-second earlier. Couple this with a full tone and you have the real deal.

Of course even a maestro such as Verde needs a strong rhythm section and he got it. Dean Stockdale can  handle most things that are thrown at him and he duly did. Likewise Mick Shoulder who, despite having just met the amiable man from Cáceres (currently based in Newcastle) only an hour previous, did the necessary.

Special mention also for Abbie Finn. On a roller-coaster ride of fours Senor Verde threw down a 100mph gauntlet (or was it vice versa?) whatever, no quarter was asked or given and it was honours even.

I've only ever heard Wayne Shorter playing tenor or soprano. If he'd still been alive and heard Luis he may have switched to alto.

Then again, maybe he wouldn't ... Lance.

You can also catch them tonight at Darlington: Luis Verde with the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.

One by One; Miyako; Juju; Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum; Iris.

1 comment :

Pam said...

Absolutely spell binding concert catch Luis Verde wherever you can!

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