Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18982 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 846 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 8.) 25.

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

October.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Julija Jacenaite (vocals).

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: A Night of Stevie Wonder @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 4:45pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 14: A Night of Stevie Wonder @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 7:30pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 14: NW FRQNC @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.00. Selina Albright, Gianni Vancini.
Wed 14: Jacob Egglestone Trio @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Thu 15: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 15: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 15: Leah Kirk: A Strange Affair @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations). Leah Kirk (vocals); Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Thu 15: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. PJO w. guest Graham Hardy (trumpet).

Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Ancient Infinity Orchestra @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Fri 16: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. £13.01. adv.; £15.00. on the door. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick. 8:00pm. Free.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Album review: Gary Bartz & NTU: Eternal Tenure of Sound - Damage Control (OYO Records)

Gary Bartz (alto sax, vocals); Barney McAll (piano, keys, vocals); Om'Mas Keith (drums)+ Theo Croker (trumpet 1, 3, 9); Terrace Martin (alto sax 3); Kamasi Washington (tenor sax 3); Miles Kahlil (tenor sax 1, 3);  Corey Henry (organ 3); Nile Rodgers (guitar 3); Spaceman (guitar 2, 4, 8); Juewett Bostick (guitar 2, 4); Elias McAll (guitar 1); Tarron Crayton (bass 1, 2, 5-10); Sam Anning (bass); Dominique Sanders (bass 3, 4); Brandee Younger (harp 1, 2, 4, 6); Kassa Overall (drums 1, 3, 4, 6, 10);  Rita Sach (background/lead vocals 1, 6-10); Daniel Merriweather (background/lead vocals 5, 6-10); Shelly FKA DRAM (vocals 7).

Gary Bartz's first studio recording in twelve years sees the 83 year old alto icon transforming soul classics by Curtis Mayfield, Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle and DeBarge into meditative jazz infused tapestries that transcend genre boundaries. At least that's what the blurb says and they're probably right.

The alto player, I'm told, invested $400k in the recording which, looking at the quantity and quality of the musicians, is probably about right. Was the money invested wisely?

Bartz is undoubtedly a front runner on his instrument. His playing beautifully lyrical, his technique as fluent as any ten lesser mortals combined. Plus a supporting cast of big hitters - instrumentally and vocally - is a recipe for perfection. However, perfection isn't always perfect. You may love Coffee Creams but try eating a whole box of them in one go and you'll probably never eat another one again.

Damage Control is a bit like that. It's the first volume in Bartz's trilogy the Eternal Tenure of Sound and, much as I love it, I wont be immediately pressing the repeat button although I will be dipping into it whenever I feel the need to relax and to acknowledge it for the masterpiece that it is. Lance 

Release date: Sept. 26.

Fantasy; One Hundred Ways; In Search of my Heart/Love Surrounds us Everywhere; The Makings of You; You Bring me Joy; You Are my Starship; Slow Jam; If Only You Knew; Biggest Part of me; Love me in a Special Way

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