Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18721 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 585 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 18) 49

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

July

Tue 21: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 23: Side Café Orkestar @ New castle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free. Balkan, Hot Club, Klezmer.
Thu 23: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 24: Lindsay Hannon Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 25: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner. Cheek to Cheek - Ella Fitgerald. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Costa Café (within Next), MetroCentre, Gateshead. 2:00-3:00pm. Free.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Bright Street Big Band @ Sandhaven Amphitheatre, South Shields. 3.30-5.30pm.
Sun 26: Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.
Sun 26: King Bees @ Luckies, Jesmond, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Chicago blues.

Mon 27: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Alex Clarke & Alan Barnes with the Andrzej Baranek Trio @ Morley Green Club, Wilmslow - Sept 9

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Alan Barnes (clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax); Andrzej Baranek  (keyboards); Grant Russell (bass); Andy Bold (drums).

I missed Alex Clarke when she recently appeared at the Moor Club as I was in Derbyshire for Greg Abate's final gig of his July UK tour. I think the last time I saw  Alex was at the Wilmslow Con Club when she was sitting in with Alan Barnes and expanding her knowledge of the ins and outs of jazz saxophone playing. 

For this Tuesday evening show Alex played alto sax and Alan chose to feature three of his favourite instruments which I was pleased to see included baritone sax. 

To start the proceedings Andrzej Baranek played a solo version of You and the Night and the Music followed by an unannounced medium tempo blues during which time bass and drums had joined in.
It was now time for the two main attractions to take to the stage and the number they chose was that great Dexter Gordon tune Fried Bananas  which contained some fiery alto work from Clarke plus some burning baritone blowing from Barnes. A Jobim bossa followed and then a fast Just One of Those Things brought the first set to a close. 

In spite of the lack of any form of p.a. system the sound of the horns came through loud and clear. However, as I had a seat near the front I may have been lucky. 

Graham Brook co-promoted the gig with his friend Brian and they must have been pleased with the turn-out as the car park was full by 8:00pm.

The second set again started with a Baranek keyboard solo - Body and Soul - the trio followed with Lullaby  of Birdland  before Clarke and Barnes did some standards and finished with a soulful rendition of that great Jazz Messengers' classic  Moanin'. Good tune to wind things up with! Mike Farmer

You and the Night and the Music;  Blues;  Fried Bananas; Triste; Just One of Those Things; Body and Soul; Lullaby of Birdland; Invitation; Gone With the Wind; Love For Sale;Darn That Dream; Moanin'

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