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

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Take It To The Bridge

Dave Weisser (tpt/flug/vcl), Doug Fielder (ten/sop), Steve Whitfield (pno), Barrie Ascroft (bs), Rob Bates (dms) + Fiona Littlewood and Gabrielle ? (vcl).
The 'Sound of Surprise' is never more appropriate than on an evening at the Chilli.
We called in at the Corner House first - The Informer suggested that the Black River Band were playing there - but, no River Bands of any shade were in evidence so it was on to the Chilli.
This turned out to be a good move.
Steve Whitfield was on piano and he did the business loud and clear - powerhouse piano by one of the best.
Dave again played mainly flugel whilst Doug played soprano early on and sounded good.
Drummer Bates and, for tonight, bass guitarist Ascroft, performed admirably solidifying the rhythm section.
Fiona, one of the Budvivarian saxophone players, tonight left the horn behind and exercised her vocal chords - oiled by a small Jack Daniels (if it was good enough for Sinatra...) - on Lester Leaps In and Beautiful Love.
It sounded okay albeit marginally over-powered by the rhythm section.
Then, just when we thought it was time to go home up jumped Gabrielle - Gaby.
Gaby, a charming German lady, sang Imagination with just that - imagination.
One of Lindsey's Sage protégés, Gaby didn't shy from taking chances with the melody and the gamble paid off with a fine rendition of one of Jimmy Van Heusen's finest. I look forward to hearing her again.
Appropriately, the band finished off with Horace Silver's take on Show Me The Way To Go Home - The Preacher.
Enjoyable evening.
Lance

1 comment :

Fiona said...

Yes indeed ..Gaby's performance was really lovely..an inspiration. By the way, thanks Lance for the comments about the Jack Daniels, especially noting its modest quantity..respect to the brew!
On the way home Gaby and I chatted about 'Singing' and there were some useful tips about knowing the song, and working with the band etc...
A good and enjoyable night for me too, with, as intended, dipping in to 'Take it to the Bridge at the Chilli..' an education in the Art.
Fi

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