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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Album review: Tom Ollendorff - Where in the World (Fresh Sound New Talent)

Tom Ollendorff (guitar); Aaron Parks (piano); Conor Chaplin (bass); James Maddren (drums)

Ollendorff's third album finds the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama virtuoso guitarist in the A-list company of American Blue Note recording artist Parks, Chaplin and Maddren. The latter two being longstanding partners of Ollendorff as well as first callers in a variety of settings.

All four are as one over the guitarist's nine compositions - no overcooked standards to pull the doubters in. In truth, in a perfect world (has there ever been one?) Ollendorff's compositions would be the staple fare of a future Great British Songbook.

The heads are catchy, the solos dynamic and fiery over rich harmonies that occasionally have a classical overtone but never enough to hurt.

They also commit the dastardly deed of swinging their butts off. Not in the old-fashioned a-tissue-paper-tissue-paper-tissue-paper rhythm of days of yore but in a way that is very much of the moment without sounding like second hand rockers.

Where in the World is so seductively appealing that I think my CD player is falling in love with the album and the players.

Release date (for your diary) is Nov. 21. Lance

Past Lives; Where in the World; Three Bridges; Last Leap; Tokyo Waltz; West Lake; Meaningless Mirror; Worried World; Atlantic Angels.

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