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, September 03, 2009

Bob Ludlum and the Maine Street Jazzmen @ Ashington Jazz Club.

Bob Ludlum (tpt/flug/teapot), Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl), Barry Soulsby (clt), Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Ian Hetherington (dms), Olive Rudd (vcl).
Most of the membership at Ashington Jazz Club turn up in groups or with their spouses. A guy from Newcastle (who I spoke too on the way out) said he had come especially because he had seen the notices on "Bebop Spoken Here". Many thanks for your publicity Lance.
Herbie Hudson led from the front. With ease, guest star Bob Ludlum did one or two numbers he had not played before. An absolute star player - so inventive.
Dep Barry Soulsby played clarinet all night and surpassed himself. First time I've heard Ian Hetherington on drums - so right for the night. A real pro. Spot on.
Alan Rudd was featured several times and worked well with Ian. Malcolm Armstrong kept the whole thing going, directing from the front line - where I feel the piano player should be. Olive Rudd sang with the radio mike which gave a well balanced sound.
Hope I got all the numbers:- April Showers, Tishomingo Blues (vocal Bob),All of me (vocal Olive), That's a Plenty, Sweet and gentle (Bob on flugal). If I Had a Talking Picture of You (vocal Herbie through trombone mute to give that 20s sound), Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (vocal Olive), Ain't misbehavin', White Cliffs of Dover, Jeepers Creepers, Singing in the Rain (+ Brolly Dollies), Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, Basin St Blues, Just a Gigolo, All the Girls go Crazy 'Bout the Way I Walk (Bob Ludlum on teapot), Just a While, Bourbon St Parade (+ Brolly Dollies).
It was a very very inventive and spontaneous session. The band were resplendent in their white shirts with the Maine street logo and red ties. Afterwards the band groupies sang "The Stripper" as Bob took his shirt off to give back to Herbie! Almost everyone in the audience said it was the best night we have ever had at Ashington. I agree - all we need now is Bob Ludlam to move from Yorkshire to the North East!
John T.

No comments :

Blog Archive