Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Monday, September 15, 2025

Suzanne Fonseca & Carole Williams Play Jay & Kai @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Sept. 14

© Jeff Pritchard
Suzanne Fonseca, Carole Williams (trombones); Robin Dewhurst (keys); Gavin Barras (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums).

In spite of spending a lot of time listening to the many legends of jazz I somehow never got to hear Jay Jay Johnson in a live situation, much to my regret. However, I did see live on many memorable occasions the great Kai Winding and although I still rate Johnson as No 1, Winding was my second choice. I recall seeing Kai alongside Curtis Fuller in a hotel in the Hague, doing a Kai and Jay tribute and I thought it was very impressive.  

This version that Suzanne and Carole probably assembled at relatively short notice and  without much rehearsal or perhaps only a pre-show run through was a worthy effort. The sheer number of tunes that were played during the two hour spot including a 20 minute interval was a feat in itself. 

The rhythm section tonight did a fine job of coping with the arrangements and it was good to see the great Gavin Barras who was making a rare appearance at the Moor Club. Gaz Hughes  was on top of things and it was good that Robin Dewhurst got time to be featured on Cute and Satin Doll.

I'm now going to attempt to list the tunes played but, as I'm having trouble  deciphering my notes, so please accept my apologies if I've missed any.

Next week Stockport Jazz are celebrating their first anniversary on Sunday  Sept. 21 at the Moor Club with Alan Barnes.

Stockport Jazz on Facebook for further info. or watch this space for Paul Hartley's update. Mike Farmer

Cute; This Could be the Start of Something Big; I Concentrate on You; The Theme From Picnic; Georgia on my Mind; The Song is You; Trixie; Side by Side; How High the Moon; Satin Doll; You'd be so Nice to Come Home to; I Should Care; In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning; Blue Monk; Just For a Thrill; Too Close For Comfort; 'S Wonderful.
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