Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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

Friday, February 14, 2025

John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle - Feb. 14

John Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass) 

Opening with This Can't be Love, the penny dropped, this was Valentine's Day! The first in a proposed second Friday in the month lunchtime jazz concert series featured the John Rowland Trio. A one hour set in the Grade II listed Jesmond Library attracted a fair few paying customers - half a dozen jazz faces, the others, perhaps, locals there to support the venture. Roses are red, violets are blue etc.

John Rowland has been on the Tyneside jazz scene for a good few years, his trademark laid back tenor playing owing something to Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. Leading a trio playing standards ensured the new monthly session would get off to a flying start. From How Deep is the Ocean? to What is This Thing Called Love? to Bésame Mucho, bandmates - and old friends - Alan Law, piano, and Paul Grainger, bass, were Rowland's ideal musical partners. 

An easy going trio, a listening audience, Jesmond Library could be on to something. It'll be interesting to see if next month's concert (Friday 14 March) builds on a good start. Details nearer the time. Russell   

Set list: This Can't be LoveThe Touch of Your LipsHow Deep is the Ocean?There is No Greater LoveI'm Beginning to See the LightTenderlyIt Had to be YouWhat is This Thing Called Love?Bésame Mucho 

1 comment :

Patti said...

We all know Besame Mucho - it's been recorded and sung so many times, by jazzers and crooners, with its longing, romantic lyrics. The song was composed by a 15 year old Mexican girl, Consuela Velasquez - and she'd never been kissed! She obviously had a creative and very active imagination though!

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