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.

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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