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.

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Sunderland Minster - May 15

Gerry Richardson (organ, vocals); Garry Linsley (alto sax); Rod Sinclair (guitar); Paul Smith (drums)

Sunderland's thriving Cultural Quarter was a hive of activity. The Peacock was preparing to host a rock band, the Fire Station was readying itself for the arrival of several hundred ticket holders to a reggae concert, the Empire Theatre was about to host its third performance of the day (The Choir of Man) and, over the road at Sunderland Minster, we were about to enjoy another Old Black Cat Jazz Club concert.

The Gerry Richardson Quartet is one of the banker bets.* Such is the pulling power of Richardson's long-established quartet this evening's Sunderland Minster gig would attract some who had never set foot in the Minster. Everybody's Cryin' Mercy (Mose Allison), All About McGriff (Richardson's tip-of-the-hat to Jimmy McGriff), Lady Day and John Coltrane (Gil Scott-Heron), tunes heard regularly at Sunderland Minster - not! If they were, the congregation might multiply by 1000...

Richardson's Crumar organ sounded just fine in the cavernous space, likewise Garry Linsley's soulful alto sax, Rod Sinclair's trademark stinging Telecaster sound and Paul Smith's in-the-pocket drumming. Lou Donaldson's Alligator Boogaloo featured Linsley's alto, Soul Shadows showcased Richardson's Mose Allison-style vocals, and again on Bobby Hebb's Sunny. Quite what the Minster made of it all, who knows? This evening's 'congregation' loved it (much hollering and whistling). The Stumble, Freddie King's signature number sent us on our way. 

Next month's Old Black Cat Jazz Club concert features pianist Martin Litton. A virtuoso musician, Litton will present a masterclass encompassing ragtime, Harlem stride and swing numbers, with an informative commentary on the great pianists of the era (broadly 1900-1940), including Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and Teddy Wilson. The date for your diary - Friday 19 June (7:30pm). Book now at: www.linktr.ee/blackcatjazz.                 
 
* On Sunday 5 July, Gerry Richardson's Big Idea (a roaring nine-piece outfit) will be at the award-winning Globe on Railway Street, Newcastle. Two recent Big Idea gigs at the venue attracted full houses. Don't delay, don't hesitate, book now at: www.theglobenewcastle.bar. Russell       

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