Maja Bugge & Dave Evans - Live @ Union Lane, Brampton, Cumbria - Jan 24

Maja Bugge (cello); Dave Evans (piano)

The music created by Maja Bugge and Dave Evans enables the listener to immerse themselves fully in the subject matter of their carefully crafted compositions.

As well as their own compositions Maya adapts old folk songs from her native Norway into what is an utterly enchanting performance.

The almost minimalist approach to their playing leaves the space between the notes as an integral part in creating an evocative impression of the Norwegian landscape.

Evans’ lyrical piano perfectly complements Bugge’s imaginative cello and, although not an instrument you’d associate with jazz, in her hands it can go from delicate orchestral to a fat sounding funk and all ranges in between.

Wonderfully entertaining music from two masters of their craft – you’ll see, and hear, nothing quite like it. David Gosling 

Tina Carr - "Live @ the Mildmay" - Feb. 18

Tina Carr (vocal); Matt Robinson (piano, MD); Max Luthert (bass); Rod Oughton (drums); Tom Ollendorff (guitar); Kieran McLeod (trombone); Sam Newbould (alto sax); Mike Soper (trumpet); Àánú Sodipe (violin)

There are few album launches where an artist’s life, location and music fold so neatly into one another, but Tina Carr’s unveiling of Moon Over Mildmay at the Mildmay Club felt like exactly that kind of convergence.

A wet Wednesday night in Islington, a crowded Victorian hall glowing with anticipation, and a singer who has - remarkably - only been making music for seven to eight years..

Carr spoke to the audience between songs, a narrative that gave her music context and cut straight to the marrow of her musical journey.

Jazz on the Tyne heads towards Spring 2026

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead previews upcoming gigs in the North East and showcases new music, with tracks by House of the Black Gardenia, Giacomo Smith, the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, Matt Carmichael with Fergus McCreadie, the Brian Molley Quartet, Harben Kay, Trish Clowes, OUTRI, Nishla Smith, the Arnold Ludvig Quintet, and Knats.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request music for future programmes, or pass on news or feedback by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

Preview: Tonight @ Pilgrim - Geordie Jazz Jam

Geordie Jazz Jam

Open mic jazz jam, hosted by the jazz performance students at Newcastle Uni. ALL jazzheads and musicians welcome!

Wednesday 25th February

Doors 7:30pm

Minimum age: 18

Tickets: Free Entry

Stockport Jazz

This Sunday Stockport Jazz welcomes the Max Rosen Trio and Maria Sanderson to the Moor Club. The trio features Max on piano with Peter Hartley (bass) and George Bingham (drums), and they will be joined by trumpeter Maria Sanderson. 

The concert is being co-promoted with Jazz North’s New Northern scheme to support the development of new emerging jazz talent across the region. 

Max Rosen is an exciting young pianist based in Manchester. Graduating with a first-class honours degree in Music from the University of Manchester, Max can be found across the North’s jazz scene, performing  at venues such as Matt and Phred’s, Band On The Wall, Co-op Live and The Cavern Club. His festival credits include We Out Here Fest, London, Manchester and Cheltenham Jazz festivals and has performed with artists such as Nikki Yeoh, Mark Armstrong, Max Beasley and Rachel Burnett from The Voice UK.

Album review: Ricky Alexander - Ragology (Turtle Bay Records)

Ricky Alexander (clarinet); Jerron Paxton (banjo, vocals); Conal Fowkes (piano); Bob Adkins (bass); Kevin Dorn (drums)

It does what it says on the tin and if it's not on the tin then it's in Colin Hancock's album notes. Hancock, is well known to those denizens of the Village Hotel down North Tyneside way and he provides useful information on the musicians and the tunes.

Alexander is dexterous and fluent on clarinet - a worthy successor to the late Ken Peplowski on that instrument? Maybe. Whatever, he can certainly dance around the instrument delivering a master class on a set of early 20th century rags and jazz  classics including some from Sidney Bechet and Jelly Roll Morton. 

In Tune with Garland & Keezer (Tuesday 24)

At five o'clock this afternoon Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer will be performing live in the In Tune studio. Mezzo, the duo's new album, to be released on Friday (Feb. 27), is bound to feature in their performance. Tune to In Tune, BBC Radio 3. Russell  

Album review: Aleph Aguiar - Sugar on my Blackbeans (Aleph Aguiar Records)

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Aleph Aguiar (guitar); Quentin Collins (trumpet); Liam Dunachie (Hammond); Shane Forbes (drums); Will Fry (percussion)

Venezuelan born, UK based, guitarist Aguiar's third album is a nostalgic look at the Latin jazz that was emerging back in the 1960/70s by bands such as Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri.

Nine originals by Aguiar merge those Cuban influences with his Venezuelan heritage into a concept all his own and the perfect setting for his Montgomery/Martino inspired solos. Collins provides the perfect front-line partner with Aguiar pointing out how suited the trumpet is to Latin music and how well they complement each other. Equally important is Dunachie on the B3. Apart from his soulful solos he fills out the rhythm with juicy chords and accurate bass-lines. Forbes and Fry lay down the complex Latin grooves as if they'd been born and bred in Caracas.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Harben Kay Quartet - Feb. 22

© Russell

Harben Kay (tenor sax, alto flute); Peter Johnstone (piano); Ali Watson (double bass); Alyn Cosker (drums)

The Globe was at capacity. Seats were at a premium and on a person per square yard ratio probably had the edge on the Michael Jackson tribute concert at the nearby Utilita Arena.

The attraction? Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year Harben Kay touring their soon to be released EP Firn.

The material, all composed by Kay, in the main came from the new disc and the third of their three albums, The World I Live in. Indeed it was the title track of that last album with which they opened the first set.

Preview: Sunday night @ the Globe - Harben Kay Quartet.

Harben Kay (tenor sax, flute); Peter Johnstone (piano); Ali Watson (double bass); Alyn Cosker (drums)

Harben Kay is touring their new Firn EP stopping off at the Globe tonight - Feb. 22. With four of Scotland's finest on stage it promises to be an interesting and exciting concert of original material. Lance

TICKETS/INFO.