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

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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.

Thursday, October 09, 2025

The Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham - Oct. 8

Joe Steels (guitar, double bass); Laurence Blackadder (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + John Weaver (trumpet); Jimi Savage (guitar); Liam ? (guitar, double bass) 

The Tannery's second Wednesday in the month jam session continues to attract its hardcore supporters - those looking to sit-in and those happy to sit with a pint, listening to the music. A pint of Landlord and a prime seat, the ace house trio for the evening - Joe Steels, Laurence Blackadder and John Hirst - stomped off with Stompin' at the Savoy.

This being a community pub, some sat on bar stools chatting at the bar (oblivious to the jazz), some wandered in with their pet pooch, others tucked into gigantic plates of fish and chips. Bird's Barbados, trumpeter John Weaver featuring on You'd be So Nice to Come Home to, Johnny Green's Out of Nowhere, all in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Half an hour or so into this evening's session one of the region's premier guitarists walked in - none other than Jimi Savage. Polka Dots and MoonbeamsMistyHere's That Rainy Day (at one point Joe Steels doubling up on string bass!), Jimi S eased his way into the jam session staples. 


The Carlisle to Newcastle train was a comin' down the line. Time to make a sharp exit, but not before listening to the house trio playing Victor Young's masterpiece, Stella by Starlight. Russell        

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