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.

Tuesday, June 02, 2026

Munch Manship Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - May 31

© Jeff Pritchard
Munch Manship (tenor sax, flute); Richard Wetherall (keyboards); Dave Lynane (bass); Dave Hassell (drums).

On my way to the gig, I wondered if Munch, who I know is a big fan of Sonny Rollins, would  feature any of his music tonight. 

The first tune was Shining Hour but the second number was a Rollins' composition - Paul's Pal. The  other Rollins' tune St Thomas, which I think is his  version of an old calypso number, popped up in the second set and featured Munch on both tenor sax and flute.

This reminded me of the occasion when, during a jazz cruise, the ship had to miss St Thomas due to a fierce hurricane. The  tour company, Chancery  Cruising, put a band together with Joe Farnsworth and Russell Malone and there was great  jazz, dancing and free cocktails.

Anyway  back to the gig. One number that was well received was Smoke Gets In Your Eyes announced by Munch as being in the Coleman Hawkins style. Good choice as I was expecting  Body and Soul which is overplayed.

Next Sunday, June 7, another great saxman, Rod Mason is the featured guest. 8-10:00pm. Mike Farmer

My  Shining Hour; Paul's Pal; Ceora; Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; Voyage; East of the Sun; St Thomas; Smoke Gets in Your Eyes; Up Jumped Spring; Speak Low.
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