Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 24: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. .

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Album review: Louis Stewart, Brian Dunning - Alone Together (Livia Records)

Louis Stewart (guitar); Brian Dunning (flute)

Originally released on LP in 1979 and on CD in 1999, this remastered version comes with two previously unreleased studio tracks that were uncovered during the re-mix process.

Recorded live at Dublin's Peacock Theatre this is a worthy addition to Stewart's ever growing legacy. With every album that is rediscovered the legend grows and the global recognition he received was no more than he deserved. 

He recorded in many different formats with legends such as Benny Goodman, J.J. Johnson, George Shearing, Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes to mention but a few. However, as typified by this album he was particularly at home in a duo setting with musicians of similar standing e.g. guitarists Jim Hall or Martin Taylor.

Flautist Brian Dunning is just such a musician. I must confess Dunning was an unfamiliar name to me. Listening to his breathtaking runs as he explores, at great speed, the full gamut of the instrument's capabilities I was gobsmacked. This was fluting the like I'd never heard before - or since. Why hadn't I a shelf full of his albums?! Seems like he was also an acclaimed player on the Irish folk scene both in Ireland, New York and Portland, Oregon. Sadly he died in 2022 six years after Louis.

The material is a well-chosen selection of standards plus a Stewart & Dunning original - Definitely Doctored.

An essential album for fans of Louis Stewart, Brian Dunning and good music.

The renowned jazz critic Derek Jewell is quoted as referring to Louis as a musician to be spoken of in the same league as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery or, among contemporary virtuosos, Joe Pass.

Big boots to fill but but no problem for Louis Stewart.

A special thanks to Dermot Rogers who has carried on the work of the late Gerald Davis in reissuing and bringing the work of Louis Stewart, complete with informative glossy booklet, once again to the fore via Livia Records. Lance

Release date Nov. 14, 2025.

There Will Never be Another You; Windows; Definitely Doctored; Inner Urge; Israel; Alone Together; Triste; Donna Lee; Some Day my Prince Will Come; West Coast Blues.

at

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive