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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 02: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Monday, March 17, 2025

Mike Hope Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - March 16

© Jeff Pritchard
Mike Hope (tenor sax, flute); George King (keyboards); Grant Russell (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums).

Mike Hope has been a major player in the north-west and beyond for many years and although I've seen him many times its not very often that I've seen him play flute. However, he did use it once during the course of the evening on George Shearing's classic tune  Lullaby of Birdland. This is a tune that I don't normally care for but Mike 's version was impressive with a really full sound.

Mike is a big fan of Stan Getz and he ended the first set with a tune that Getz liked to play, Moonlight in Vermont. Getz and guitarist Johnny Smith had, in jazz terms, a big hit with this number.  Later came another big hit for Getz with Desafinado which Mike Hope played in the second half. Those who never saw Getz live should try and catch Mike on his next gig,

On bass tonight was Grant Russell who, together with drummer Eryl Roberts, did a first class job in the rhythm section. George King who was using a Roland RD 300sx keyboard got plenty of solo space and sounded  good. It was a great night of straight-ahead modern jazz and made even better by my winning second prize in the raffle, Dexter Gordon's A Swingin' Affair.  

Next Sunday, March 23,  from  USA but now resident in Bramhall, tenorman Jeff Guntren will be featured in the Paul Hartley Quartet. Mike Farmer

Trane's Blues; The Way You Look Tonight; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Lullaby of Birdland; Moonlight in Vermont; Rhythm-A-Ning; Desafinado; How Long Has This Been Going On?; Take Five; I Want To Be Happy

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