Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18878 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 742 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 4.) 21.

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

September.

Fri 11: Esther Bennett @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £10.00. Esther Bennett (vocals); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass).
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £14.09 (inc. bf).

Sat 12: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 12: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26 (inc. bf).

Sun 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: King Bees @ Shape Patisserie, Darlington. 3:00pm. Free. Duo (Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor). A Rhythm & Blues Fringe event. Blues excellence.
Sun 13: Alligator Gumbo @ The Cluny. 5:00pm. £17.15.; £11.43; £5.72.
Sun 13: Eternal Triangle + Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Friday, April 24, 2026

Ben Crosland Quartet @ Sunderland Minster - April 17

© Ken Drew
Rod Mason (flute, curved soprano/alto/tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Dave Tyas (drums) 

Wooltown Reflections is Ben Crosland's new album (release date Monday, April 27) and the nationwide tour to promote it began in the splendid setting of Sunderland Minster. Arriving at the High Street West venue in early evening sunshine, Rod Mason was spotted sitting on a bench 'enjoying' a cigar. 

Bassist Crosland's quartet boasts two long serving bandmates - the aforementioned Mason (reeds) and, there from day one, drummer Dave Tyas. A more recent recruit, pianist Dean Stockdale, is, of course, a fixture on the regional jazz scene. At a little after half past seven, Crosland and co took to the stage. 

© Ken Drew
Across the course of two sets, Crosland connected with his audience, crediting the composer of each and every number in the set list (many of the compositions were written by Crosland, others composed by Don Grolnick or Steve Waterman), location (principally Huddersfield) and people (fellow musicians, non-musicians) and a 'jazz cat' or two (feline Billie being one of them!).

From Broadway Departure to Destination Unknown, there was a palpable 'feel good' factor to the performance. Clearly comfortable in one another's company, bandleader Crosland exuded confidence in his bandmates and they duly obliged, delivering first rate performances. Rod Mason delivered, whether delicate ballad or let-loose-and-rip material. Pianist Dean Stockdale produced the goods time and again: whether chordal accompaniment or in solo flight mode. As for drummer Dave Tyas, 'Rocky', as he is sometimes known, is your 'been there, done that' musician. 


© Ken Drew
Ben Crosland's Wooltown Reflections is on the road. Check out: www.jazz-cat.com. Russell                       

Set list: Broadway Departure; After the Fire; Fawlty Tenors; Glyding; Billie's Blessing; Anne's African Odyssey; Malecon; Monsieur BB; Down in the Basement; In a City Blues; The Cost of Living; Destination Unknown.  
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