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.

Monday, June 09, 2025

Ben Crosland Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - June 8

© Jeff Pritchard
Rod Mason (alto/sop/tenor sax); Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Dean Stockdale (keyboards); Dave Tyas  (drums).

Although I arrived at the Moor Club an hour before the 8:00pm start time, the band were already well into a pre-gig rehearsal so I had a pretty good idea of the sort of music I was going to hear. After Paul Hartley, who tonight was in a non-playing role introduced the group, Ben Crosland took over and he had a lot to say about both his career and his compositions. He also referred to many musicians who had influenced him over the years such as Mike Brecker, Dan Grolnick and Bob Mintzer who wrote the closing tune  Mr Fone Bone.

One mistake I made this evening was in my choice of seat. I couldn't see the drummer, Dave Tyas, but I could certainly hear him! Rod Mason was sitting on a stool directly in front of him. Rod is one of my favourite reed players and on this occasion he impressed me most on soprano but any horn he plays is ok with me. 

I think this is the first time this unit has played here but I think Dave Tyas was here with Mike Hall but I may be mistaken. Good to see Dean Stockdale on keyboard and as always he did a great job. Every time I have seen Ben Crosland he has had a very interesting selection of tunes. The first time he came to the Railway in Stockport  he played many tunes by the pop singer Ray Davies of the Kinks which I thought was odd in a jazz club, but tonight we heard only You Really Got Me.

Next Sunday (June 15, 8:00pm-10:00pm) at the Moor Club it's the  Munch Manship Quartet featuring Richard Wetherall, Dave Lynane and Dave Hassell. Mike Farmer

Bee Swing; Last Train North; Duke's Anthem; Fawlty Steps; Billie's Blessing; You Really Got Me; Voodoo Rex; Blues For Geoff; The Cost Of Living; Mr Fone Bone

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