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.

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Album review: Sandra-Mae Lux - Seasons in Jazz (Sandra-Mae Music/ECN)

Sandra-Mae Lux (vocals, tenor sax) + Rob Barron (piano); Tristan Paxton (guitar); Calum Gourley (bass); Sebastiaan de Krom (drum) - tks 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11.
Christian Vaughan (piano); Dave Jones (bass); Tristan Maillot (drums) - tks 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13. 

Canadian born, London resident since 2017, Sandra-Mae Lux is a new name to me but, as the saying goes, better late than never! Well that never is now - or it will be on May 30 with the release of this beautiful album of ballads by Lux and her lyricist partner Alan Marriott. 

Inspired by the GASbook classics from the golden era of songwriting that ran from the 1920s to the 1950s, Lux can hold her head high alongside those late, great, trailblazing composers. And, as if that wasn't enough, her voice has that classical jazz feel that is visceral to all of the great songbook interpreters. Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, June Christy, Astrud Gilberto or Chris Connor are names that spring to mind. However, they're no longer with us and none of them could blow tenor like Stan Getz which Sandra-Mae does on Love me Tonight, Perfect Weather and When Autumn Calls.

Ably assisted by two groups of A-Listers I think it is safe to say that Sandra-Mae Lux has well and truly arrived. The album launch of Seasons in Jazz is scheduled for London's 606 Club on May 29. The big question is: Does she have any touring plans beyond the sound of Bow Bells?

I hope so! Lance

Are We Having Fun?; I Don't Need You; When Autumn Calls; Love Me Tonight; That Old Fashioned Thing Called Love; This December Love; It's Only Spring; Everyone Else Knew; Perfect Weather (sax version); Summer's Coming Again;  There's a Door; Perfect Weather: When Autumn Calls (sax version)
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