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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Today I went to Darlo.

It was a sunny day and my wanderlust found me in Darlington. A mighty fine town is Darlington. Not huge but big enough to have two jazz clubs (sometimes more) and a locally based big band.

I let the train take the strain and set off on the trek to the town centre. The sign post indicated that it was a 12 minute journey on foot which it may well have been for some Ethiopian athlete who had been training at altitude - it took me somewhat longer. Nevertheless, the journey was worthwhile when I discovered three previously unread (by me) Robert B. Parker novels all for a total of £2.

However, even that acquisition paled into insignificance when I passed through the portals of Saxosoul on Bondgate. Wall to wall vinyl and a lot of jazz at various prices i.e. £1, £3, £5 up to sell-your-house. Needless to say I concentrated on the one-pounders finally settling on the 1953 Jazz Studio 1 album pictured.

A 12" LP with but one track per side which allowed for lots of extended solos. 

Paul Quinichette, Frank Foster (tenor sax); Joe Newman (trumpet); Benny Green (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Eddie Jones (bass); Kenny Clarke (drums) and Sir Jonathan Gasser on guitar who turned out to be Johnny Smith in disguise. 

Interesting to compare the two tenors with Quinichette the more Lestorian of the two. Newman and Green really go for it whilst Jones' elegance is only surpassed by that of "Sir Jonathan" particularly on Tenderly. Let's Split has the tenors duelling, Jones and Smith emulating the famous JATP rabble rouser between Nat Cole and Les Paul and the finale with all the cats chasing their tail. Newman's quite amazing and a lot more extrovert than in his Basie days.

Methinks that Darlo will soon be beckoning me once more and next time I'll make sure I have £3 to spend! Lance

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