Bebop Spoken There

John Donegan: ''What you take in through your ears can come out through your fingers.'' (Notes to Which Direction October, 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

19,041 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 905 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 26) 84.

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.

Tue 27: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. guest Julija Jacenaite.
Tue 27: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).

Wed 28: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 28: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 28: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 29: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 29: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 29: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 29: Simon Taylor Band @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. £8.00.
Thu 29: King Bees @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 31: Saltburn Big Band + Durham Alumni Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Sat 31: East Coast Swing Band @ Cramlington Village Club, Park View, Cramlington NE23 6QJ. 7:30pm. £10.00. (from venue).

November

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet w. special guest Donna Hewitt (tenor sax, clarinet)
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Sarah Heneghan Trio : The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Monday, October 26, 2026

Sunday Night @ the Globe: Sara Oschlag w. Arnie Somomgyi Trio - Oct. 25

© Sylvia
Sara Oschlag (vocals); Richard Wetherall (keys); Arnie Somogyi (bass); John Hirst (drums)

After hearing Sara at the Lit & Phil's sold-out gig on Friday lunchtime I couldn't wait to hear her again - two days and change seemed a lifetime away. 

The rain, the storm and the uncertainty of the rail network precluded my intended trips to the highly successful Durham Jazz Festival so I subjected my self to watching soccer on Sky with wins for Boro, Toon and a windswept draw for the Mackems.

At last the wait was over and I arrived at the Globe. The downstairs bar was wall to wall crammed with folks 'drinking for England'. I correctly surmised they were heading for the nearby Arena where some pop/rock band or other were appearing. I stood perplexed and wondered if I'd put the clocks back by a day rather than an hour until some one informed me that the jazz gig was, this particular Sunday, being held upstairs. Methinks a meeter/greeter would have been useful!

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Preview: Tonight @ the Globe - Sara Oschlag w. Arnie Somogyi Trio

There is a treat in store for you tonight at the Globe. If you saw Sara Oschlag at the Lit & Phil on Friday lunchtime  or the Ship Isis on Friday evening you will know what I'm talking about. I heard/saw her at the Lit & Phil and it was out of this world. I can't wait to repeat the experience tonight.

Sara's also at Hexham this afternoon as we speak - do both if you can but, come hell and highwater (which might be the case!) but don't miss out or you'll live a life of regret! Lance

Jazz is where you find it...

A couple of new (to me) sites that are worth checking out.

The Jimmy Deuchar Archives. As the name implies this F/b site is dedicated to the memory of the late, great Scottish trumpet player Jimmy Deuchar who many of us remember either live or on record from his work with Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes and the Kenny Clarke, Francy Boland Big Band to mention but some. Lots of info here for us boppers to absorb.

Jazzland, the longest running jazz club in Austria, was brought to my attention yesterday by Mike Farmer who'd flown over by a circuitous route to Vienna to hear Greg Abate. There's a host of interesting items including photos of the many greates who have played. Looking at the names I guess a lot of them crossed the North Sea to play UK gigs including Newcastle's Corner House.

Just goes to show that the adage seek and ye shall find applies very much to jazz in all its many forms. Lance

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Oct. 22-29)

Coleman Hawkins & Ben Webster
: Tangerine.
Dave Brubeck: That Old Feeling.
Peggy Lee: Fever.
Clark Terry: For all we Know.
Diana Krall: Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You?.
Bill Evans: My Romance.
Fats Waller & Peggy Dade: Georgia on my Mind.
Kay Starr: He's Funny That Way.
Oscar Peterson: Night Train.
Jack Teagarden: We Called it Music.
Joe Venuti & Zoot Sims: The Girl.

Greg Abate with the Matyas Bartha Trio @ Jazzland, Vienna, Austria - Oct. 15, 16, 17

Greg Abate (alto sax/flute); Matyas Bartha (piano); Denny Zeimann ( bass); Christian Salfeliner (drums)

When I learned that Greg was going to be in Vienna I just had to get myself over there. Not an easy task as all the direct flights were booked up but, with the help of my travel agent, I got there on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 1.00pm having had to change planes at Frankfurt.  I decided not to attend the opening night gig as I had not slept for 24 hours. However, I did make it for the Friday and Saturday gigs and both nights were amazing with Greg playing at the top of his game.   

Caroline Loftus & Honey Boulton @ Cafe Boheme, London - Oct. 16

Caroline Loftus (vocals); Honey Boulton (guitar)

A flying visit to Cafe Boheme. First set and a bit only, then a mad dash up to King's Cross to catch a northbound train. The attraction? Vocalist Caroline Loftus, the unknown quantity (to BSH), and, the far from unknown quantity (to BSH), London-based Antipodean guitarist, Honey Boulton.

Exactly Like You sang Ms. Loftus, accompanied by the impeccable - musically and sartorially - Honey Boulton. Cafe Boheme's clientele, comprising 'up-close' listeners and 'gentle-hubbub' conversationalists, liked what they were hearing. 

Joe Webb & Will Sach @ Bechstein Hall, London - Oct. 15

Joe Webb (piano); Will Sach (double bass)

A first visit to Bechstein Hall. More than a century ago the Wigmore Street premises closed its doors, seemingly for good. A little under two years ago, following major investment, the concert hall and piano showroom reopened to the public.

Jazz concerts, principally jazz piano performances, are to the fore during this autumn season. This evening's star attraction was none other Joe Webb. 

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen. 


Playlist 25/10/26 (repeated Tuesday 27/10/26)


Seasonal: Paul Desmond.

Requests/Memories. Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Heath Quintet, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Red & Miff's Stompers, Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra.

New Releases: John Donegan, Noel Langley.

Requests: Regina Carter/Jimmy Rosenberg.

RIP: Norah Jones/Dolly Parton, Oliver Jones.

Requests: J Martin, Duke Ellington.

What’s on in the NE: Sarah Heneghan.

Centenary: Miles Davis & John Coltrane.

Friday, October 23, 2026

R.I.P Barbara Jay (!932 - Oct. 15, 2026)

The sad news has filtered through that singer Barbara Jay passed on October 15.

I first encountered her immaculate vocals at The Hopbine, in Wembley, where her husband, tenor saxist Tommy Whittle, hosted a regular midweek session.

Fast forward maybe 40/45 years to 2003 when I came across a CD - Reminiscing with Barbara Jay. Although Barbara was now turned 70 the voice seemed as good, if not even better than I remember. She even managed to make sense of that piece of nonsense Mairzy Doats!

One of the most underrated of British singers.

Sadly missed. Lance

Tonite! Up from the Streets on Sky Arts (11:00pm)

Tonight (Friday 23rd) tune to Sky Arts at eleven o'clock to catch Up from the Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music. Directed by Michael Murphy, the 2019 documentary looks at New Orleans through the lens of music. Hosted by Terence Blanchard, talking heads include Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr., Bonnie Raitt and one Gordon Sumner. Russell   

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