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

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Abbie Finn Trio @ Sheepfolds, Sunderland. 5:00-10:00pm. Free. A National Macken Day event. AF3 on stage at 6:30pm. Tickets (free) from: www.eventbrite.co.uk. SOLD OUT!
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 26
Wed 12: Jam session @ The tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 12: Look Left @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: 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 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

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.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Press release: Henry Lowther's 85th Birthday Celebration & Record Launch with the London Jazz Orchestra

The London Jazz Orchestra is 35 years old, star trumpeter Henry Lowther is 85, and they will be celebrating in concert with the launch of Primetimea double LP of Henry’s music on his 85th birthday, Saturday 11 July, at 7:30pm in the beautiful acoustic of the American International Church, London.

Primetime is released on Analogue/October Records, best known for bringing important recordings from the past back into print. Every now and then, however, a project comes along that sits outside their usual remit; this project has been driven by a shared desire to celebrate and preserve the work of a living jazz legend. A limited run of 300 numbered and signed copies will be available.

Henry Lowther
 is a treasure - and one of the most loved and respected musicians in British jazz. Since emerging in the 1960s with the John Dankworth Orchestra and a host of jazz and pop artists, to his current band, Still Waters, and his 30-year stint with the LJO, his beautiful sound and fiery solos have thrilled generations of listeners.  Everybody wants Henry in their bands. You can read more here.

Directed by Scott Stroman, "the LJO is at the quality-plus-commitment end of the spectrum." Resident at London's Vortex Club since 1991, the band of outstanding soloists plays music written by its members, who have included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Norma Winstone, Tim Garland, Nikki Iles, Pete Saberton and a host of others. Today's band is just as vital:

Henry Lowther, Mike Lovatt, Miguel Gorodi, Andre Cannier (trumpets); Martin Gladdish, Ollie Martin, James Wade-Sired, Richard Henry (trombones); Matt Sulzmann, Martin Hathaway, Tori Freestone, Pete Hurt, Mick Foster (reeds); Liam Noble, Alcyona Mick (piano); Nick Costley-White (guitar); Calum Gourlay (bass); Paul Clarvis (drums); Scott Stroman (director).

Details:

Saturday 11 July 7.30 PM. 

American International Church 79 Tottenham Court Road   W1T 4TD.

Plus bar and refreshments.

Tickets £20, or £45 including signed and numbered double LP.

Available from Eventbrite and on the door.

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