SPLINTER @ THE BRIDGE - NEWCASTLE

This was a JAZZATHON!

Nonstop from Noon till late evening it was standing room only as the cream of the local crop were heard to their best advantage.

I missed most of the opening set from Splinter but what I heard sounded good.

Splinter were followed by HCW and AVC. Look to Russell for review of the three openers.

By the time the Mark Williams Trio - that's Mark on guitar, David Carnegie (dms) and Paul Susans (bs) - took to the stage I'd settled in ready to face the music if you'll pardon the pun. I should explain I was coming off the back of a cold and still felt a bit groggy.

Mark was simply superb playing original compo's that soon took my mind away from the fever. So smooth and mellow, or so I thought before he went into, according to Russell, a John Schofield blast. With David Carnegie punching things along and Paul Susans big fat bass sound adding to the overall this raised the bar by about ten metres and it was a 'follow that' situation.

Ruth Lambert took up the challenge and did indeed 'follow that' - in a duo set with Mark remaining on stage.

Not that it was easy for Ruth - a few mic./speaker problems caused some uncertainty but she kept her cool and the audience were behind her so that by the time she laid out "This is Always" it was okay.

Zoe and Andy Champion followed with their duo set which included "Take it Easy - But Take It" - words and music by Bebop Spoken Here correspondent George Milburn.

Nice one George.

Then came the surprize - a duet by Zoe and Ruth! No less a number than Peggy Lee's "I'm a Woman - w-o-m-a-n."

Brought the house down. Well done girls.

The Claude Werner Quartet with Claude on tenor, Mark Williams on guitar, Laurence Blackadder (bs) and David Carnegie (dms) played some interesting pieces. In particular, "Sweet Stories" caught my ear with it's delicate 3/4 rhythm that suddenly burst into flames with Claude's gladiatorial entry.

It was all very enjoyable then suddenly, in the final number, it exploded into a metallic like thrash that had guitar and tenor screaming into orbit like two comets soaring through an inter gallactic explosion.

Whew!

This was it - nobody could follow that! Not least the Safe Sextet.

Who?

This is the resident band from the Jazz Café and with Paul Gowland and John Rowland on tenors and Don Forbes, tumpet, they went for it!

An excellent hard bop set.

Saxophonics and Alter Ego were yet to come - Extreme Measures pulled out - but by this time I was ready to join the walking dead so I opted out.

All in all a successful day that I hope carries on in the coming Sunday evening gigs - next week it is HCW and Legoland.

Photos.

Lance.

More on the NCRO @ Trinity Church

A sparkling Christmas tree, sparkling instruments and a sparkling performance!!

A packed programme included some brand new numbers. "Let me be the first" & "Red hot Mama" was followed by a nice clarinet solo by Steve Andrews in "Someday Sweetheart". "Paddling Madeline home" & "Washing dishes with my sweetie" included a bari sax solo and vocal from Jim McBriarty. Caroline Irwin sang "I'm a dreamer" then came "I'll never be the same" with a trio comprising banjo, violin and clarinet. Marilyn Monroe's "I wanna be loved by you" was next. The first half ended with "Kiss and make up", "Not on my list" and "Doing the new low down" as featured by Twiggy in the 60's film The Boyfriend.

After the interval "Putting on the Ritz", "Crazy Quilt" &"Only You" with Keith Stephen and Caroline. Next came "Charlie my boy", "Reindeer rag", "After you get what you want you don't want it" &"Varsity Rag" featuring Jim McBriarty. " You'll be surprised" with Caroline vocals - ending with "Make fun for you".

Newcomer Alan Marshall (sax & clt) fitted in well with the band for his first time performance. It was a good sized audience with some folks in the upstairs balcony. A lovely venue, good acoustics and overall a pleasant night out

John Taylor

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Trinity Church, Gosforth

Tonight brought to an end to the current season of Jazz at the Trinity. And what an ending!

We in the north east are indeed fortunate to have The New Century Ragtime Orchestra on our doorstep. Wonderful, wonderful songs and tunes. Difficult to single anyone out on a night like this but I will. Tom Cook on cornet was someone special for me. Roll on next season. I never thought attending church would be quite like this.

George Watt.

Happy Birthday Dave.

Dave Brubeck is 89 today.
Best wishes from all at Bebop Spoken Here.

Just a reminder that TODAY is SUNDAY @ The BRIDGE ALL DAY!

Today, Sunday looks like being the Sunday to end all Sundays except it is but the beginning!

The action takes place in the Bridge Hotel, appropriately sited at the Newcastle end of the High Level Bridge, where a cast, comprising of the regions Prima "Donna Lee's," will strut it.

The event is entitled Splinter, so it is only fitting that 'Splinter' - the shavings from the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra should fire the opening shots.

They are a fantastic octet(?) with some brilliant arrangements and knockout soloists.

Splinter are there from High (Level) Noon.

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1:15 in the post meridien sees HCW step up to the plate. Christos Worsley on bass, Ed Carr on guitar and John Hirst on drums are known and fondly remembered from the Side Café so look for some jazz funk grooves.

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ACV was formed by Bassist Andy Champion as a vehicle to showcase his compositions. The music draws from his main influences - Jazz, Progressive Rock and Metal with a healthy amount of free-improvisation thrown in for good measure. 2:15 blast off.

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An hour later, Mark Williams - in my humble opinion, definitely the North-east's, probably the UK's, possibly even The World's most versatile Irish jazz guitarist living in Newcastle, takes over for a trio set. (ps: I bet he's pretty big on Jupiter too!)

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At 4:15 it really is High Noon with La deux Chanteuse d'Cullercoats going head to head. Zoe and Ruth are in training for this one!

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5:15 sees Claude Werner unleashing the fastest tenor saxophone around - this guy don't take no prisoners this guy. Nor does his quartet. Powerful.

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6:15 it's the turn of the Safe Sextet who tunnelled out of the Jazz Cafe to be here. They should take some fans back with them - solid band.

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7:15 If you'e still standing, Saxophonics will show you just how a saxophone ensemble should sound - their accuracy is frightening!

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8:15 Alter Ego tread the boards - bebop and beyond is spoken there!

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9:15 Tiptoe carefully across the dead bodies that, after 9 hours of drinking in the music and the ale, have succumbed to one or the other. Choose a seat facing the direction of your homeward journey because, when Extreme Measures light the blue touchpaper you ain't gonna need no Metro or taxi cab. This is music that will lift you out of your seat and send you home rejoicing on a wing and a prayer.

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All this for a mere £4! Sounds like a bargain to end all bargains - start queing now.

I said at the beginning that this was the beginning and it is - Sunday evenings at the Bridge are going to be the place to be beginning the week after.

Lance.

Farewell Chris...

As befitted his position in the jazz hierarchy, there was a good response from those of the jazz community able to attend the funeral of Jazz North East Secretary Chris Yates at Newcastle Crematorium.

"Take The A Train" ushered the assembled friends into a warmly conducted Humanist celebration of Chris' life.

Paul Bream spoke eloquently of Chris' long and dedicated service to jazz promotion in the north east and went on to read a selection of emotive emails from fans and musicians including one from American pianist Jessica Williams.

Stephen Yates, Chris' son, spoke lovingly of his relationship with his dad as did sister Kate.

That they belonged to a close and loving family shone through with every word and their consolation must be that their lives were enriched by Chris' influence.

Likewise Laura, dignified and gracious throughout, must have felt proud to hear so many accolades for her husband even though she'd known he had those qualities for years!

Miles' version of "There is no Greater Love" allowed time for reflection and Louis' "What a Wonderful World" played us out. Possibly a surprise choice but, today, it seemed just right and, unlike at more traditional funerals I for one left feeling uplifted.

Afterwards, at The Sage, more casual memories were exchanged between musicians and fans - many of whom hadn't seen each other for years.

There was much love in that room.

Farewell Chris.

Funeral Service.

Lance.

A GIRL NAMED SUE - Charles Gordon & Friends @ The Black Horse, Boldon

Charles Gordon, Mike Oxnam (kbds), Ken Hewitt, Lance Liddle (ten), SUE DENT (vcl).

This was a belter! I'd heard of Sue Dent but never actually heard her. This girl is something else with a smoky sultry voice that makes your hackles rise on a ballad such as "Summertime" or "My Funny Valentine" then, just as you are wallowing in a dreamy sense of security, she delivers both barrels on some funky, down home blues. Praise the lord and pass the amunition brother this was Tina Turner meets Aretha meets B.B.King and then some. Behind Sue, and playing solid groove merchant material on 3 keyboards, Mike and Charles kept Sue in business by feeding her big fat chords as well some meaty solos. Both keyboard players used their voicings intelligently and avoided duplicating each other. At times Mike had a guitarlike fluency whilst Charles was full of soulful intensity. The only hiccup came when Charles' Korg Keyboard fell off the Yamaha piano it was resting on and landed with an expensive sounding klunk! on the floor. Hopefully the cure won't be too painful.

Ken Hewitt blew some powerful tenor choruses - he gets a great modern sound - and I chipped in with a few myself. In fact "Stormy Monday" had frantic solos all round as well as an even more frenetic vocal from Sue.

Earlier, Ken and I had worked out on "Black Orpheus" and "Canteloupe Island" - I felt good.

It's a nice intimate venue with stacks of atmosphere and the food, they tell me, is also superb.

Photos (Taken by Ken Hewitt).

Lance.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie Malone's

Olive Rudd (vcl), Herbie Hudson (tmb/vcl/hca), Jim McBriarty (clt/vcl), Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Tommy Graham (dms).

Usual afternoon of fun-filled jazz with Olive in good voice having just broken the speed limit on "Just Friends" - it worked! "Back in Your Own Backyard" was taken at a more sedate tempo. Herbie worked out on "Sweet Lorraine"

whilst Jim's piece of resistance was "Nobody's Sweetheart".

Usual powerpiano from Malcolm with Tommy and Alan driving it all along.

Olive sang "When Your Smiling" but, having just learned of the death of Darren Grainger I wasn't in smiling mode. This has been a week and a half - two deaths and a heart attack...

Lance.

More Sad News - DARREN GRAINGER

The word has just reached me that sax player Darren Grainger passed away last night.

Darren, tenor player at right of picture, was, until recent months, a regular at the Wednesday night Take it to the Bridge sessions at the Chilli.

He'd had a traumatic time of it but it looked as though he'd been given the all-clear however, it wasn't to be.

He was a fine fellow and a good musician and he will be sadly missed.

Sincere condolences to family, friends and his very dear partner Marta.

Rest In Peace.

Lance.

A BBC question and answer session with Darren from February 2009 can be read here.

Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio @ Ashington Jazz Club

Caroline Irwin (vcl/uke), Keith Stephan (gtr/bjo), Roly Veitch
(gtr/vcl).
Two gigs are never the same but there can be similarities. At the Cherry Tree. Osborne Road on Monday night it was great to see the Paul Edis family supporting their son. At the Elephant last night Caroline Irwin's parents were also in attendance enjoying her performance.
Both Ruth and Caroline sang "Santa Baby" as their interval numbers. We did have the advantage of having Santa himself to give out crackers and presents at the Elephant. Mince pies continued the festive theme.
Caroline was on top form having fully recovered from the flu. A very entertaining programme was well received by an audience of 65 members. Roly did a solo in tribute to the well known local composer Eric Boswell who died at the weekend. Eric was best known for "Little Donkey" which was a hit for many artists worldwide. The solo, a folk ditty called "Wi Ma Pit Clays On" had the audience laughing during every verse.
As part of the first half, fast moving "Running Wild" was followed by the slow ballad "Wonderful World". A Betty Hutton number "Murder She Says" came after "Lets Talk Dirty in Hawaii"!!After the interval we had "The Sheik of Arabi", "Only You" and "Sweet Georgia Brown". The floor space allowed the dancers a bit of a twirl.
Next, a sort of Christmas number - "A Date With an Angel". Other numbers included "Judgement Day", "Alright, OK You Win" and a vocal by Roly, "Shine". The encore was "Red Hot Mama"- a particular favourite of mine.
Reubin, our regular barman sees to the needs of one of our disabled lady members who uses a wheelchair . As our venue is on the first floor, and there is no lift, he helps her to get upstairs. He says that its great that the lady is motivated to come to the jazz every month. He's now so keen on jazz that he can't wait for the return of his favourite artist, James Birkett .
Photos.
John Taylor.

Jazz is all around

On Tuesday I was invited by the North East Music Co-operative (NEMCO) to a musical event which has helped to solve a question often asked of me and by me. "Where will the next generation of jazz musicians come from?" In truth they must be all around us. At yet another church venue in Gosforth (All Saints) I was privileged to see and hear about 100 young people performing a variety of traditional and swing pieces. Mack the Knife, Bandstand Blues, I'm beginning to see the light, Fire Dance and Blue Skies were just some of the delicacies served up. Take a bow Sue Belshaw and all you other dedicated leaders.

George Watt

Hot House Dragons invade the Chilli

Judith Thompson (vln), Willie Angus, Mathew Office (gtr), Jack Lowes (bs).

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Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Mathew Office (gtr), Jim Crinson (bs), Barrie Ascroft (pno), Eric Stutt (dms.)

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Another good evening at The Chilli with a stomping set by The Hot House Dragons being the icing on the cake.

Perhaps not as well known collectively as some of the other 'gypsies' lurking in the caravan park the 'Dragons' are, nevertheless, un equipe formidable.

Judith does the Grappelli thing with much aplomb - watch and listen to her sail effortlessly through "Dinah", "Stella By Starlight", "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Georgia on my Mind" and "Lady Be Good" - and Lady Judith can swing good - witness a scintillating version of "Bernie's Tune" and "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing".

The two guitarists offered contrasting approaches. Willie, more like Django, with his Takemine amplified acoustic had that hard metallic sound associated with the idiom whereas young Mathew had the smoother post Django sound. A nice thing about this band is that they add folkier elements into the mix so that it isn't totally Djangolic and they didn't play "Nuages"! Also, unlike many gypsy jazzers, lead and rhythm isn't set out on plectrums of stone which means both players are given equal solo space which they used to display their talents effectively. Jack, on bass soloed imaginatively and kept the pulse rock steady. A band to watch.

Earlier, The Take it to the Bridge gang had played a satisfying set with Barrie Ascroft in particularly fine form. He was up there with the best tonight - his double helping of "Winter Wonderland" more than did justice to that much maligned song; Dave's vocal too was something else verging onto Tormé/Greco territory by way of Bobby McFerrin. For the finale both bands combined for a spirited blast on "St. Thomas".

There were some illustrious visitors tonight. Paul Booth's parents were in town and it was good to meet them. They run the Harbour Jazz Club in Ramsgate and seem to get some decent names including of course their son so, any time you're Ramsgate way...

No Jazz next week - room let out for private function - back on 16th with Alan Glen Trio.

Photos.

Lance.

CHRIS YATES FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

The funeral of Chris Yates will take place at West Road Crematorium, Newcastle at 3:30 pm on Friday December 4 then afterwards at a venue to be announced after the service.
NECLL Tribute.
Lance.

Night of the Cookers

I'm not starting a "Sayings of the Year" post but if I was I think that it would be difficult to top Jerry Edis' "Chefs and jazz musicians are alike - they are alchemists transforming the known and familiar into unexpected delights".

Lance.

Nick Pride and the Pimptones @ Queens Hall, Hexham

I’d listened to the Pimptones before, after listening to literally one minute I’d decided that they were a cool band, cool most certainly being the definitive word in this case. So when I arrived, sat down by the table next to them and saw Pride eating an omelette, I instantly decided that it was the coolest food ever.
The band were on with the newest addition to their line-up, brand new trumpet player Keith Nicholson so I was looking forward to hearing what he’d bring.

As soon as they played their first few bars, I instantly knew I was going to be in for a treat. Straight away, bassist Ian Patterson and head man Nick Pride had visibly got into the groove starting with the funky number “Come and Get It”.

In the first two songs, the Pimptones had already shown off their variety, moving from funk to a very British 60’s jazz number. It wasn’t long before the technical talent was shown, sax/flute player Dave Wilde, trombonist Alex Leathard, and drummer Oscar Cassidy all showing off excellent abilities in their solos.

From the entire band, it truly was effortless musicianship the entire night. It was easy to see that they enjoyed playing together and they totally dispelled the stereotype of moody jazz bands. This just furthered their appeal, I wanted to get up and play a few riffs with them myself! Pride was an excellent leader, guiding the band through numerous complex arrangements and playing fantastically himself. I can’t say anything critical about the music for the night, though there was one technical thing that bothered me very slightly during the night; Pride’s vocals were very quiet compared to the band during the two or three songs that they played. Apart from this though, perfect.

As soon as they left the stage, there was raucous applause and calls for more from the audience, and they delivered, doing a brilliant cover of Britney Spears to finish. (The only non-original material of the night). All in all, a fantastic night of music, and a band I’d love to see again, perhaps in a standing venue next time!

Stuart Shevlin.

Ruth Lambert Quartet @ The Cherry Tree

Ruth Lambert (vcl), Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs), Rob Walker (dms).

Lance built up this gig and the expected gastonomic treats: the evening lived up to billing on both counts.

Three sentences (one of Dickensian length) on my choice of food should suffice.

Squid starter - brilliant (that's Pinteresque brevity)!

Pudding - Spiced Plum Crumble and double cream - crunched as well as crumbled and was spicy enough to prepare you for the mean streets where gritters were already out (increasing verbosity)!

As for the main course: chefs and jazz musicians are alike - they are alchemists transforming the known and familiar into unexpected delights; if "haddock" prompts images of batter, chips and mushy peas, try "Roast Haddock with Savoy Cabbage, Morteaux Sausage, Bacon & Red Wine" - amazing -think of rich, warming Coq au Vin, but with delicious, flaky haddock, and you are getting close. A great winter dish: how do they do it at the price? (Sorry - four sentences and one of them is a cheat, grammar-wise!)

Ruth, relaxed from the start, was in excellent voice throughout and was more than ably supported by the band. Easing into the evening with the silky-smooth "You and the night....", they worked through a lovely selection of standards such as "The way you look tonight" and "Long ago and far away" as well as some I'd not heard before such as the ballad, "But beautiful". I'm always amazed at the cleverness of the lyrics: "Santa Baby" and "Let's do it.." can raise a smile on the printed page - well-performed they are little gems. No modern lyricists, in any genre, come close in my opinion.

All of love's paradoxes were there in the set-lists: "I fall in love too easily" being followed immediately by "Let's do it, let's fall in love", but I suppose there is logic in yearning for "Someone to watch over me" after chronicling "A day in the life of a fool". In spite of the vicissitudes of love and the recent monsoon weather, optimism prevailed in "Wrap your troubles in dreams" which reminds us that "sunshine always follows the rain": Paul, enjoying having a baby-grand to play, also managed to sneak "Somewhere over the rainbow" into a second half solo (or did I imagine it?)

My pick of the night has to be "Santa Baby". Ruth was grateful for the restaurant's Christmas tree legitimising a song which she would "gladly sing all the year round". The way Ruth sings it, I, for one, would gladly hear it all the year round. Reserving it for Christmas?? Bah, humbug!

Jerry Edis.

Wednesday Night @ The Hot Club(s)

One thing is sure - the spirit of Django lives on in the North East. On Wednesday there are TWO hot club style bands performing in the area - I wonder if there are as many in, say, Toulouse?

Up at Ashington the KEITH STEPHEN'S HOT CLUB TRIO with Caroline Irwin, Roly Veitch and Bruce Rollo will be laying down their take on gypsy jazz in the Elephant Pub - home of the Ashington Jazz Club who, celebrate 25 years of bringing jazz to that part of Northumberland.

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Meanwhile, in Heaton, at the home of Bebop - the Chilli - Take it to the Bridge diversify with a set by the HOT DRAGONS. We heard a sample of the Dragons in last weeks jam but tonight is the complete McCoy with Judith on violin, Willie Angus and Matt on guitars and an as yet unnamed bass player.

Seems like there is no shortage of hot clubbery at the moment.

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I wonder if DJANGOLOGY are playing anywhere on Wednesday?

Lance.

Stop Press

Roy Willis on road to recovery expected to be out of hospital tomorrow.

The Three Faces of Ruth

Tonight, Ruth Lambert fronts Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs) and Rob Walker (dms) at Jesmond's Cherry Tree Restaurant.

This is the ideal setting for one of our favourite divas - a congenial atmosphere, nonpareil backing from Paul, Mick and Rob, and food that will make your taste buds do the Lindy Hop.

Expect some tasty tunes too from Ruth's latest album.

Ruth has been a busy girl of late wowing them at the Bascule on Thursday, stepping back in time on Friday at the Fell and tomorrow big banding at All Saints Church in Cleadon - each gig displaying a different facet of her style.

Tonight however, has the look of a good night particularly as it is the last of the 'two courses for £10' menu until after Xmas. Next week it is the Xmas Table d'hote menu with Mo Scott and Stu Collingwood's Trio - that sounds/tastes pretty good too!

Lance.

Update on New Century Ragtime Orchestra

Just to let you all know that the next appearance of the NEW CENTURY RAGTIME ORCHESTRA will be at a new venue for us, the Trinity Church Centre on Gosforth High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle NE3 4AG this Saturday evening, 5 December, starting at 8pm.

As ever, the show will be fronted by ace saxophonist Steve Andrews and will of course feature Caroline on vocals and cornet. For those of you who were deprived of Caroline’s vocals at our last concert, I’m pleased to report that her voice is now very much back in business! Further details can be obtained from the church office on 0191 285 6130 or office@trinitygosforth.org.uk It would be great to see you there.

Phil Rutherford.

USE IT - OR LOSE IT - Jazz at the Saville.

Hello everybody – please do read all of this!

On Friday December 11 at 8.00pm we hold our celebrated Christmas Extravaganza: this year it's KEITH NICHOLS with the WEST JESMOND RHYTHM KINGS. Our theme will be “The Good Old Good Ones”.

The WJRK, augmented by the celebrated Mr Nichols, will play a session that reveals two very different interpretations of this phrase: in the first half, a selection of classic jazz pieces from the 1920s repertoire of Oliver, Morton and Armstrong, followed in the second half by a programme of “traditional jazz favourites” – the tunes for which we most frequently get requests, played more in the Barber/Colyer Bilk style of the 1950s.

In the true spirit of Christmas, Mr Nichols will make his own special gift to the audience in the shape of his inimitable piano and vocal renditions of the works of Mr Thomas Waller.

There will also be our celebrated Grand Christmas Raffle, with more than a dozen prizes of seasonal goodies, wines and spirits and the odd CD or two.

We hope that there will be a really strong turnout for this event: in the last twelve months, we have lost a fair amount of money, but a mere 15 more paying customers per concert would have seen us breaking even. The cash reserves we had carefully built up over the preceding two years have now been just about exhausted. We hate to utter gloomy thoughts at Christmastide, but with costs set to rise in the New Year, with the loss of help from the North Tyneside Arts Support Team - sadly made redundant as the Council struggle to balance their budget - and with no continuing support from Arts Council England, we really need a boost in audience numbers in the months ahead if we are to continue to present overseas bands and UK bands from outside the North East. So, do make the effort to get along to the Exchange, maybe drag a friend or two along with you, spread the word whenever you can, and hopefully we can keep the flag flying for high-quality traditional jazz at the Saville Exchange. Like our American cousins say, it really is a case of “use it or lose it”……….

Lastly, the latest word on Box Office arrangements is that the phone number will remain the same (0191 643 7093) but there will be no-one on hand at the Saville Exchange to take advance bookings in person. Also, the Council inform us that from January onwards it will not be possible to reserve specific seats - while we have no fears of anyone being turned away for lack of space, we can only advise you to arrive early if you want to be sure of sitting with friends or in your favourite spot. Doors will be open from 6.00pm.

With best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a splendidly jazzy New Year,

Mike Durham.