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.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Frank Griffith Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Oct. 19

© Jeff Pritchard
Frank Griffith (tenor sax, clarinet); Richard Wetherall (keyboards); Dave Lynane (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

Frank was  born in Eugene in the US State of Oregon but now resides in Liverpool after stays in New York and London. Coincidently my son Lester has just returned from a work trip to Portland, Oregon and was telling me he enjoyed his short stay. Frank had selected a total of eleven tunes by composers such as Jobim, Henry Mancini, Sonny Rollins, and Irving Berlin.

The opening number was played on tenor sax, Lullaby In Rhythm, reminding me that I first heard this on an early Dexter Gordon LP. This was followed by the Mancini  theme  for Breakfast at Tiffany's played on clarinet by Frank and ably assisted by Richard Wetherall on his Nord Grand keyboard. Frank gets a great sound on clarinet and it was good to  hear it featured so prominently throughout the evening.

Another composer I forgot to mention was the great Fats Waller, Keeping Out of Mischief Now.  The intro by Wetherall was spot on and full marks to Dave and Eryl for a fine job of coping with some challenging and unfamiliar material. 

Next Sunday, Oct. 26,  Gair Carson with the Paul Hartley Quartet will be here 8:00-10:00pm. Mike Farmer

Lullaby in Rhythm; Breakfast at Tiffany's; The Best Thing For You; The Theme From Peter Gunn;  Flamingo; I'm an Old Cowhand; Change Partners;  Keeping Out of Mischief Now; Recorda Bossa Nova; Two For the Road; Sonnymoon For Two 

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