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.

Friday, November 01, 2024

The Classic Jazz Party: Welcome Concert @ the Village Hotel, North Tyneside - Oct. 31

Rico Tomasso (cornet, vocals); Andy Schumm (clarinet) ; Natalie Sharf (tenor sax); Charlie Halloran (trombone); Ulf Johansson Werre (piano, vocals); Félix Hunot (guitar, banjo); Henry Lemaire (double bass); Richard Pite (drums); Nicolle Rochelle (vocals)

The 2024 Classic Jazz Party - formally Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party - sold out several months ago. This evening at the Village Hotel, North Tyneside, the annual Welcome Concert got things underway at ten o'clock. The Village Pub and Grill was standing room only as Rico Tomasso led the charge.

Ring Dem Bells rang out across the room, solos cheered to the rafters. Tomasso (cornet and vocals), representing the home contingent along with drummer Richard Pite, three newbies would feature throughout the set.

Tea for Two introduced pianist Ulf Johansson Werre to the CJP audience. Taking on Art Tatum requires confidence and an abundance of technique. Werre possesses both - in abundance! 

Our American debutants, trombonist Charlie Halloran (New Orleans) and tenor saxophonist Natalie Sharf (Chicago) made a big impression, instantly acquiring a whole host of new fans. 

Star vocalist Nicolle Rochelle (Eurostar, Paris to St Pancras, King's Cross to NCL) wowed the packed room with a fabulous take on What is This Thing Called Love? And then there was rhythm section - wow! Frenchmen Félix Hunot et Henry Lemaire swung non-stop, none better, aided and abetted by Londoner, Monsieur R. Pite.

To close the opening session of CJP 2024 (three full days and nights were ahead of us) Tomasso and co went out on a blistering Farewell Blues. Russell 

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