Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

Sat 28: Boys of Brass @ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R&B Allstars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Free.

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

Monday, February 17, 2025

Sunday night @ the Globe: Gerry Richardson Quartet - Feb. 16

© Malcolm Sinclair
Gerry Richardson (organ, vocals); Garry Linsley (alto sax); Rod Sinclair (guitar); Paul Smith (drums)

McGriff, McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott and Mike Carr among others may no longer be with us but, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Gerry Richardson is still around and delivering the soulful, funky grooves and forearm smashes beloved by his forerunners. The B3, or in this case the Crumar Mojo, is in safe hands. Last night's sold out Globe certainly wouldn't argue.

Aided and abetted by his three henchmen, who were namechecked after every solo, the Railway St. venue was transformed into a bar in downtown Philly or Detroit.  Some called it rock and roll although jazz audiences, if they like a rock number, seek absolution from Lady Day and John Coltrane by calling it rhythm and blues.

© Malcolm Sinclair
Lady Day and John Coltrane was one of several vocals by Gerry and it always goes down well. It's rather like referring to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in church. Regarding his vocals, he had the proverbial frog in his throat but like the trouper/trooper that he is the bluesy lyrics rolled off his tongue maybe even adding a Tom Waits-like authenticity.

Linsley blew some fiery alto - at times Garry reminded me of Gerry's old sparring partner the late Nigel Stanger.

Sinclair threatened to ignite the Telecaster and sounded nothing like Keith Richard. Instead it was Clapton who provided the inspiration  or was it vice versa?

When it comes to drummers Paul Smith is up there and, pound for pound, a match for any of the local big hitters. He should make the trip north from Teesside more frequently although last night's closure of the Redheugh Bridge to traffic may have given him second thoughts!

Still, what's a minor detour compared to playing with a band like this? Look forward to catching them again in the not too distant future. Lance

Comin' Home Baby; Soul Shadows (v); My Mother's Eyes; Since I Fell For You (v); African Sunset; Money's Getting Cheaper (v); Midnight Special; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; That's Alright (v); Lady Day and John Coltrane (v); Just Squeeze me; I Put a Spell on You (v); I Think I'll Lay Waste To Myself Tonight (v); Sunny

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