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.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 - Concert reviews wanted.

This year's EFG London Jazz Festival is almost upon us and, for the first time in BSH's 17 years, we don't have anyone eagerly awaiting with notebook and pencil, or the digital equivalent, at the ready to review some of the shows.
 
This is unfortunate as the EFG is the Uk's biggest jazz festival running from Friday Nov. 15 to Sunday Nov. 24 with a whole host of concerts spread over various venues across London. So, if you are planning to attend one or more concerts and would like to submit a review please contact me: lanceliddle@gmail.com. Lance

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

I think this is interesting Lance that you have put this call out.

There is a wider point which I think marketing folk need to address.

Journalists who review gigs and so on are just seen by some as people to provide free plugs and big ups for artists and labels and so help boost gigs and recordings.

If someone thinks you are ''a marketing tool'' - which some people say and believe - then it tells a lot.

But the problem is that for a well meaning music journalist who writes well, knows their onions and so on and most are and do, putting in the time, covering their own costs (often quite a bit even when gig tickets are given to them free sometimes) and not getting paid by the publications because the publications can't afford to pay them the enthusiasm runs out after a while. Simply people can't afford to subside an event by doing something for nothing that is providing their skills and their time. It's not even a loss leader because they never will get anything back in the future by showing willing even. Unless something changes.

So the solution I think as a music fan and appreciator of journalism is that labels and organisations (I mean anyone with a budget to market product) need to support great blogs like yours so you can invest more in it yourself.

No one advertises much on blogs where there is decent content however and often pretty big readerships.

But the likes of major record companies spend lots on social media, employing people to be PRs, etc, etc.

By if they choose investing in journalism (indirectly by taking ads or sponsoring advertorials) will benefit them in the end more.

Readers trust independent editorial voices far more than sponsored and often costly some companies take out on Facebook.

Lots of food for thought and thanks for all you do.

Blog Archive