Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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, 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.

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