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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 02: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Album review: Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio - Wilson's Way (Independent)

Christopher Lucas Wilson (piano); Alex Austin (bass); Isaiah Spencer (drums)

Like Wilson's previous album, Solemn Moments released  in 2023, Wilson's Way is another joyful mix of originals, standards, Latin and bebop all played in Wilson's way - pardon the pun.

Years ago another Wilson, Teddy, was invariably described as elegant as indeed his playing always was. With the passage of time elegance  became a lesser-used adjective in jazz circles - until now that is. Thanks to Christopher Lucas Wilson, if this album is anything to go by, elegance is very much back in fashion.

This doesn't mean that it's dated but, like all good jazz, it's timeless. Wilson delivers five originals, a couple of standards and an emotional solo piano version of Jiménez's Tu Recuerdo Y Yo which translates as Your memory and me. It seems to me to be a second cousin of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.

The trio are very much an 'as one' unit which is exemplified by Bésame Mucho with Spencer laying down the rumba (?) rhythm, Austin soloing authentically and Wilson capturing the feel of the song.

Good Company swings (another 'dirty' word these days) as does Hallowed Be with its drum solo and boppish piano licks. Night Notes has all three strutting and Porter's You'd be so Nice to Come Home to is always a fave with player and punter and the trio do Cole's classic justice.

It's not out until October 9 so make a note of it NOW! Lance

Wilson's Way; Bésame Mucho; Stillness; Good Company; Hallowed Be; Night Notes;You'd be so Nice to Come Home to; Tu Recuerdo Y Yo  

No comments :

Blog Archive