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

Monday, March 08, 2010

Jim Birkett Quartet @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond.

Jim Birkett (gtr), Sue Ferris (ten/fl), Neil Harland (bs), Adam Sinclair (dms).
All of Me with Sue Ferris blowing tenor like Lester made for a good starter as indeed did my Confit Belly Pork with Caramalised Apple & Black Pudding Puree.
Bye Bye Blackbird was a fitting number to bid a reluctant farewell to the Black Pudding Puree whilst lingering over a bottle of Black Sheep Ale in anticipation of things to come which, musically, included the Theme From Black Orpheus played by the all in black Sue on flute. It was a gorgeous rendition helped along by some fine guitar work from Jim Birkett.
All The Things You Are was next up and I was amazed at the ease with which La Ferris, back on tenor, effortlessly rolled out chorus after chorus on this the most awkward of changes.
The girl came through unscathed setting a high benchmark for Jim Birkett - not to mention my Pan Fried Salmon to follow.
Needless to say, Jim did the business with some blistering chorii of his own and the Salmon, served amid Potato Gnocchi Gratin, Smoked Salmon & Horseradish - a rare combination in my experience - also worked well.
There were other delights, Clifford Brown's Daahaud, a couple of my fave Ellington's - In A Sentimental Mood and Sophisticated Lady, Have You Met Miss Jones, a soft and sensuous Willow Weep For Me played on flute. All of these aperitifs put me in just the right mood for Baked Vanilla Créme Brulee.
This was absolutely mouthwatering - my tastebuds will never be quite the same again or at least not until my morning cereal.
Nor will my musical tastebuds after a flutey Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square and a Doxy a la (ish) Rollins.
To make the night complete the interval CD was by Diane Schur and the traffic lights were on green all the way home!
Lance.
PS: Also compliments to the rhythm section - they were cooking on nuclear in a gentle sort of way.

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