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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Giles Strong Quartet @ The Old Black Cat Jazz Club, Sunderland - Dec. 19

© Ken Drew
Giles Strong (guitar); Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ian Paterson (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

On a cold 'Blackeye Friday' evening Sunderland's Cultural Quarter was buzzing with numerous attractions - the Empire, the Fire Station, the Peacock, Vesta Tilley's, the Dun Cow and Sunderland Minster. 

The Old Black Cat Jazz Club made a considerable impact during its short time at 1719 in Hendon. Circumstances beyond the control of the OBCJC necessitated a move away from 'Old Sunderland' and when the opportunity arose to move to a more central location, it was grasped with all four paws. 

© Ken Drew
Sunderland Minster is an impressive venue. Standing in walled grounds, from the street (High Street West) it's all rather discreet. Once inside, a vaulted ceiling, stained glass window and brightly decorated Christmas tree made for a grand setting. This evening the Giles Strong Quartet would entertain the OBCJC congregation. 

Giles Strong could best be described as 'a guitarist's guitarist'. Standards or original compositions, GS is the epitome of restraint and impeccable taste. His bandmates - Pete Tanton, Ian Paterson and John Bradford - share similar qualities. Opening with Days of Wine and Roses confirmed the above. No fewer than ten numbers in the set list were compositions by G. Strong. Each and everyone of them stood comparison with more familiar standards. 

© Ken Drew
Merlin's Merlot (named after a piano-playing member of staff at the now closed Prohibition Bar on Pink Lane in Newcastle), Brother T (the unamplified bass of Ian Paterson in funk mode) and Lullaby for Lissa, all written by Strong, were but three highlights among an evening of  highlights. 

Pete Tanton (trumpet and occasional flugelhorn) made best use of the Minster's acoustics, Ian Paterson playing entirely acoustically was a delight, and in this setting, John Bradford's use of brushes resembled a percussion masterclass. The Giles
Strong Quartet doesn't 'shout', it's not that sort of gig. When you next see a Giles Strong Quartet gig in the listings, drop everything and go. Russell

© Ken Drew
Set list: Days of Wine and Roses; Mubo; Love for Sale; Merlin's Merlot;  A Song for a Friend; Brother T; I'll Remember April; Coco in Paris; Tune 22; Sakura; Lullaby for Lissa; Alone Together, Billy's Blues: On Green Dolphin Street; Miljarder Stjärnor.    
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