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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Monday, February 23, 2026

Album review: Aleph Aguiar - Sugar on my Blackbeans (Aleph Aguiar Records)

Aleph Aguiar (guitar); Quentin Collins (trumpet); Liam Dunachie (Hammond); Shane Forbes (drums); Will Fry (percussion)

Venezuelan born, UK based, guitarist Aguiar's third album is a nostalgic look at the Latin jazz that was emerging back in the 1960/70s by bands such as Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri.

Nine originals by Aguiar merge those Cuban influences with his Venezuelan heritage into a concept all his own and the perfect setting for his Montgomery/Martino inspired solos. Collins provides the perfect front-line partner with Aguiar pointing out how suited the trumpet is to Latin music and how well they complement each other. Equally important is Dunachie on the B3. Apart from his soulful solos he fills out the rhythm with juicy chords and accurate bass-lines. Forbes and Fry lay down the complex Latin grooves as if they'd been born and bred in Caracas.

The album's title, Sugar on my Blackbeans refers to a South American delicacy and this boogaloo track is also very tasty, Methinks this album will be number one on my car stereo - the highest possible accolade.

As a matter of more local interest Quentin Collins will be at the Globe along with our old friend Vasi X as part of Five-Way Split on March 29. Lance 

Panspermia; Mudwalk; Blue Trupials; Sugar on my Blackbeans; Little Daisy; One For Sorrow Two For Joy; Monk Lakes; Reflected Three; Mondongo

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