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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Lewis Watson Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - August 19

© Roly
Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Lower West Side. It's no surprise that we have a full house this evening and we're delighted to welcome once again, our very good friend...Lewis Watson! As the lights dimmed the Lewis Watson Quartet tore into Wayne Shorter's Yes or No.

Wow! This was something else! This was Lewis Watson firing on all cylinders, likewise Mark Williams, Andy Champion and the depping Russ Morgan. Jazz at its very best, here on the Lower West Side. A set list comprising compositions by Watson, Coltrane, Jimmy Van Heusen and others, the level of musicianship beggared belief, we were listening to four virtuoso musicians. Times Past (L. Watson), Nancy with the Laughing Face (J. Van Heusen) and a majestic take on Watson's Earth, this really was something else! 

In its 40th anniversary year, Blaydon Jazz Club, down on Gateshead's Lower West Side, is riding the crest of a wave. Listening to the Lewis Watson Quartet here at the Black Bull, it doesn't come any better than this.

Next month (September) Blaydon Jazz Club presents two 40th anniversary concert specials. On Monday 16th, John Hallam (reeds) joins the celebrations and on Monday 23rd Paul Booth makes a long overdue return to Blaydon. Russell
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