Bebop Spoken There

David Bailey (photographer): ''When I was 16 I wanted to look like Chet Baker. He was my idol - him and James Dean.'' (Talking Pictures documentary : Four beats to the bar and no cheating April, 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

18482 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 346 of them this year alone and, so far this month (April 30 ) 80

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

May

Mon 04: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Pete Tanton’s Cuban Heels @ The Library, South Parade, Whitley Bay. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 05: Leah Kirk (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 2:30pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jenny Baker (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 4:20pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Tue 05: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 06: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 06: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 06: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 07: Robert Finley @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50. Excellent US falsetto soul/blues voice.
Thu 07: ALT @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Rob Walker. Thu 07: Liam & Shayo @ The Globe , Newcastle. 8:00pm. £5.00. Liam Oliver (guitar), Shayo Oshodi (vocals).
Thu 07: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 08: Alan Law Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Law, Mick Shoulder, John Bradford.
Fri 08: Giles Strong & Richard Herdman @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Guitar duo.
Fri 08: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 08: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 6:00pm . Free. A Late Shows event.
Fri 08: Nigel Kennedy @ The Hippodrome, Darlington. 7:30pm. Line-up inc. Alec Dankworth.

Sat 09: SH#RP Collective w. Lindsay Hannon @ Church of Holy Name, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £15.00 (inc. a welcome drink). Advance booking essential. Bring own snacks, drinks to be purchased at ‘donations’ bar. All proceeds to charity. A Jesmond Community Festival event.
Sat 09: East Coast Swing Band @ Jubilee Hall, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £10.00.

Sun 10: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 12 noon. Free. Note earlier start.
Sun 10: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: The Chet Set @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

Friday, January 16, 2026

JATLP Lunchtime Concert Series: The Giles Strong Quartet - Jan. 16

© Patti
Giles Strong (guitar); Pete Tanton (trumpet); Ian Paterson (bass); John Bradford (drums)

Another successful lunchtime session at the Literary and Philosophical Society - the Lit & Phil to you and I. These third Friday in the month concerts are always sold out well in advance so, as our genial host invariably suggests, book for the next one while you still can.

What makes these gigs extra special is the variety of jazz offered as well as the presence of a grand piano when needed and, a rarity at jazz gigs, a printed programme.

The piano wasn't needed for this afternoon's session by the guitar-led Giles Strong Quartet although the programme was useful with its mini biographies of the musicians as well as a set list which, within the allocated 60 minutes, was more or less adhered to.

As for the actual music it was well-played, sometimes exceptionally so, no pedal boards or distortion units to assault the ear drums, in other words the epitome of taste.

The material consisted of, in the main, original compositions by the leader. 

© Patti
However, the concert began with that strange pop song from way back, Nature Boy. It's a much improved song without the words and the solos by trumpet, guitar and bass lifted it to a higher level. Merlin's Merlot was inspired by a young ragtime pianist/bartender at the old Prohibition Bar who entertained the customers by serving up Scott Joplin rags in between pouring shots of liquor.

Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla composed Milonga for Three. Arranged by the leader, two music stands were required to accommodate the lead sheet. It was worth it. Giles explained at length how he came up with the title Tune 22 for the next piece. The explanation went over my head but, fortunately, the music didn't. A nice boppish theme and excellent solos particularly from Pete Tanton who was right on the money.

Pete sat the next one out and Giles played Lullaby for Lissa who beamed affectionately at her partner (Giles) and his beautiful melody. A traditional Japanese composition, Sakura, followed then Blues Clues. Again it had Tanton calling the children home with his big fat brassy sound. Bradford's brushwork was amazing. 

Mubo, which was mega fast, had Bradford on sticks for this one and his solo  brought the first big round of applause and deservedly so.

All too soon it was over. Miljarder Stjärnor by Swedish composer Per 'Texas' Johansson closed the show and the audience showed their appreciation with loud applause for four of the finest - the Giles Strong Quartet. Lance

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