Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise 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

18878 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 742 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 4.) 21.

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

September.

Fri 11: Esther Bennett @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £10.00. Esther Bennett (vocals); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass).
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £14.09 (inc. bf).

Sat 12: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 12: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26 (inc. bf).

Sun 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: King Bees @ Shape Patisserie, Darlington. 3:00pm. Free. Duo (Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor). A Rhythm & Blues Fringe event. Blues excellence.
Sun 13: Alligator Gumbo @ The Cluny. 5:00pm. £17.15.; £11.43; £5.72.
Sun 13: Eternal Triangle + Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Frank Griffith Nonet @ Morley Green Club, Mobberley Rd., Wilmslow - Sept. 8

Frank Griffith (tenor sax, clarinet); Andor Jensen (baritone Sax); John Padfield (alto sax); Cliff Ray, Martin Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn); Sam Crooks (trombone); Misha Grey (keyboards); Ed Harrison (double bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

With the exception of John Padfield who played on both gigs, this was a different line-up to the one that Frank brought with him on his last visit here.  Although the only name new to me was trombonist Sam Crooks, some of the musicians involved in tonight's show were guys I have known for ages like Ed Harrison, one of the best bass players around, and some, like baritone saxman Andor Jensen, I met at a jam session at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool back in the day when I could drive. Although sometimes  I'd take a bus to Liverpool from Manchester and stay in a hotel if I knew of a jam session happening.   

One thing that puzzled me about tonight was the low turnout for a show of this standard. I did notice that after the interval the overall sound balance seemed to improve somewhat. I  mentioned this to a couple of people sitting nearby and they agreed. I am a big fan of Frank's clarinet work and this was well featured in both sets along with great arrangements done by Frank, one of which was  Intermission Riff which he did for the legendary Lionel Hampton. Also a big thank you to Frank for providing me with a copy of the set list for both sets. I think there was a tune that was played that wasn't listed, a feature for Ed Harrison's bass, So What?

In case you may not have heard of Graham Brook he is the person who promotes jazz at Morley Green Club monthly on every second Tuesday. Tel 01625 528336 for info

Where or When; Funji Mama;  I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face; Dolphin Dance; The Chicken; Edward ?; Intermission Riff; So What?; Music to Watch; The Moon Was Yellow; Godchild; How Deep Is The Ocean?;Lester Leaps In; Tequila; C Jam Blues;

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