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

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

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: 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.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

The Tannery jam session - Aug. 14

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (bass); John Hirst (drums) + Gill Graham (piano); John Weaver (trumpet); Chris ? (guitar); Mike Smith (guitar)

The Tannery jam session is bedding in. Starting from scratch, the pub's supportive management of the house trio - Joe Steels, Paul Susans and John Hirst - continues to be a key element in the future success of the venture. Month to month, friends of the trio are turning up to sit in and the pub's regulars appear to be more than happy to sit and listen to some jazz.

 

Joe, Paul and John got things under way with Bird's My Little Suede Shoes. Pianist Gill Graham grabbed an early piece of the action and remained at the keyboard for the duration. Jam session staples came thick and fast - Have You Met Miss Jones? and All the Things You Are and, less of a staple, Tadd Dameron's Gnid, trumpeter John Weaver chipping in to good effect. Guitarist Chris picked out a tune or two, including an unseasonal Autumn Leaves. Guitarist Mike Smith arrived, keen as ever. Mack the Knife an odd choice, or so one thought. Imagine the old warhorse being given the treatment by Bill Frisell and Bert Weedon, Mike was somewhere in between and it worked! 

If enthusiasm and commitment get you anywhere, the early signs are good down on Gilesgate. And if you are within striking distance of Hexham, support your local jam session. Second Tuesday in the month, seven o'clock start, all done by nine. Russell            

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