Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Julija Jacenaite (vocals).

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 14: NW FRQNC @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.00. Selina Albright, Gianni Vancini.
Wed 14: Jacob Egglestone Trio @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Friday, August 21, 2026

Edson Angus Trio @ the Black Swan, Newcastle - August 20

© Patti
Jascha Bingham (keys); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Edson Angus (drums, leader, composer)

The gig was billed as by the Edson Angus Quartet but I only counted three players so it begun as a trio and finished as a trio. When David Gray turned up during the interval I thought he might be the missing link but no, he was just passing through. Still it was a stellar performance by the trio, with all hands to the pump to contain the fire being ignited in the performance area.

I'd heard Bingham and Watkins in various settings but Angus was a new name to me - a one to remember. Watkins I only remembered as an electric bassist but he proved equally adept and agile on the larger instrument. He soloed at great length sometimes at too great a length. However, what he was putting down was always interesting and relevant.

© Patti
Bingham was quite sensational! In full flight he used every one of the Nord 2's 73 (?) keys. He also played with great feeling on the ballads. His take on My Foolish Heart brought Bill Evans to mind before he drifted into his own interpretation of the classic song which wasn't bad either.

Leader Angus was a veritable powerhouse behind the kit. Such was his dynamic attack that sometimes it was hard to tell whether he was soloing or pushing his henchmen to the limit - my kind of drumming.

The material was a well-balanced mix of GASbook gems, bebop classics and Angus' own compositions. All killers! I went out of curiosity and left with a virtual spring to my step. Catch them if/when you can. Lance

Solar; Body and Soul; Elements*; On Green Dolphin Street; Maiden Voyage; Oleo; Wave; My Foolish Heart; Hopscotch*; ?*; Sarah*; After You've Gone; ?*; Rhythm-a-Ning; Days of Wine and Roses; Saint Octopus*

*Original by Edson Angus.

1 comment :

Brian shine said...

Iam amazed the gig was free to attend, it was a pleasure to be there

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