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

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Emily Masser w. the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Opus 4 Jazz Club, Darlington - Sept. 19

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Stockdale (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

A second gig of the day for Emily Masser. Earlier, a full house up the road at Newcastle's Lit & Phil enjoyed an hour of top class vocal jazz from Ms Masser supported by a stellar trio comprising Dean Stockdale (piano), Andy Champion (bass) and drummer Russ Morgan.

Masser and the very same trio made the short trip down to Darlington to play two sets, some of the numbers had been played a few hours earlier, some were getting a first outing of the day (evening). Old Devil Moon (excellent), Dat Dere (excellent), the tunes just kept on coming. Masser, generous to a tee, afforded many solo opportunities to Messrs Stockdale, Champion and Morgan. As Masser stood to one side, the thought occurred that the trio could/should play gigs here, there and everywhere - these guys are that good (see photo). 

A longish first set, a shorter second set (during the interval your correspondent bagged a CD raffle prize), it had been a long day for Ms Masser (on the road at 5:00am). One Note Samba (the one with a million notes), then a scorching Hackensack to close it out. Check out Emily Masser (and her album Songs with My Father), a 'rising star' for sure.  Russell      

Set list: Old Devil MoonDat DereA Foggy DayOn Green Dolphin StreetSecret LoveI'll be Seeing YouIf I Were a BellTake a Little Time to SmileThe Man I LoveEast of the Sun (and West of the Moon)One Note SambaHackensack. 

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