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, April 27, 2026

Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church - Apr. 22

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The monthly, Friday lunchtime Bishop Auckland Jazz concert series is attracting ever-increasing numbers. This first evening concert presentation, featuring Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche, would, perhaps, reveal the level of support for midweek evening gigs up on Cockton Hill Road. 

As the seven thirty down beat approached, a fair few had taken a seat, sufficient to make one think there is an audience other than for lunchtime (daylight!) gigs. DJM, that's Daniel John Martin, is box office material, or would be if more folk took a chance. If it's simply a case of 'Daniel who?', the simple answer is more publicity via social media, wider distribution of print material and word of mouth. 

The term 'virtuoso' doesn't tell half the story where DJM is concerned. Deuce AmbienceLulu SwingTroublant Bolero, to Djangologists this is the stuff of dreams. Familiar material? It is that. What of DJM's approach? Respectful of the tradition, yet unafraid to play it his way. And then there's Swing Manouche. Mick Shoulder as Django (!), Dave Smith immaculate in rhythmic support and Paul Grainger, in his element.  

CoquetteDanse Norvégienne, an affecting Sheik of Araby vocal, I Love You, Daniel John Martin and Swing Manouche could do no wrong. DJM's regional tour would call in at Sunderland's Ship Isis (read Ian Hodgson's review), Durham's Old Cinema Launderette and Gateshead's Central Bar. Russell          

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