Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Andy Sheppard to play historic Lanercost Priory

I received the following info on this rather unusual gig which, nevertheless, sounds as if it could be a rural gem.
Situated in rural North East Cumbria alongside Hadrian’s Wall Lanercost Priory was founded in 1169 by Robert de Vaux, Lord of Gilsland, and today the nave and the north isle of the original priory serve as the parish church. Lanercost Priory hosts a successful music festival each year in June however this may be first time that a jazz artist has graced its hallowed walls. Such a magnificent building is, if not an unusual one, a perfect setting for Sheppard’s sublimely beautiful sound on soprano and tenor saxophones. The high timber arched ceiling produces a resonance to sound that will add a new dimension to the masterfully melodic and irresistible rhythmic playing that Sheppard is known for. Now one of Britain’s foremost tenor and soprano saxophonists, Andy was introduced to the music of John Coltrane at the age of nineteen and immediately went out and bought his own saxophone. A successful recording artist, bandleader and composer (for film, TV and theatre), Andy Sheppard is one of a very few British jazz artists to have made a significant international impact. He has worked with an astonishing range of musical partners and is remarkably, one of a very few soloists to have played in the big bands of all three of the greatest post-war jazz composers, Carla Bley, George Russell and Gil Evans. Local man David Gosling is organising the concert as a way to raise funds for the up keep of this much loved church and, as a keen jazz fan, thought that Andy Sheppard’s playing would be the perfect match for the priory’s acoustics. “I have heard Andy Sheppard play in many differing venues and every time he surprises me with the width of his repertoire. Whether his duets with pianists Joanna McGregor and Rita Marcotulli or his latest quintet recording Movements in Colour, his music is always fresh, well crafted and wonderfully entertaining” At Lanercost Andy will play solo and David has no doubt that those in attendance will be treated to an unforgettable experience. Local band, Hip Graffiti (Jay Myerson – guitar, Laurence Blackadder – bass and Katerina El Haj – vocals) will open the concert and are delighted to be sharing the bill with someone as esteemed as Andy Sheppard and at the same time make their own contribution to the priory funds. The concert details are: Saturday September 12th 2009, 7.30pm Lanercost Priory, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria Tickets £15 available from – Brampton Post Office, Omega Music, Brampton Lanercost@hotmail.co.uk 016977 41829 For more information contact: Promoter - David Gosling: 016977 41829, 07803 282876 or dgos2@aol.com.
See you there,
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive