Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

Mon 26: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 27: Pete Roth Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:30pm. Feat. Bill Bruford.

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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