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: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
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, June 24, 2010

R.I.P. Stan Martin

Unfortunately a bit of bad news. Just had a call to say Stan Martin passed away last night.
As most of you will know Stan was a great tenor and clarinet player and also a fine pianist (except he only played on the black notes, I backed him once and everything was in 5 sharps or 6 flats!)
He spent lengthy periods in the Panama Jazzmen and the River City Jazzmen, and had a fine quartet at the Airport Social Club in later days.
Not sure yet about funeral arrangements.
Alan Rudd.

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

God bless Stan Martin a fine musician, sad news indeed, he always used to call me kid no matter how many years passed by, he will be missed on the jazz scene in the North East.

Colin Aitchison
(Hong Kong)

Lance said...

I remember Stan playing with the River City Jazzmen at the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland. Not only did the band win first prize in the competition but Stan was judged to be the best soloist.
Sadly missed.

Roly said...

I never heard Stan play a weak solo. He always seemed to conjure up excellent solos, every gig, every tune.
Roly

Catherine Martin said...

Hi thanks for your comments just came across this whilst googling grandad and his jazz out of interest. Nice to know he's still so highly thought of I'm sure he's thrilled.
Thanks.
Catherine.

Catherine Martin said...

Funeral 12.15 at the crem in Newcastle and then afterwards at Benwell Cricket Club opposite. announcement to be made in Chronicle Monday night.
Catherine.

Gordon Solomon said...

Hi Lance, - just heard about Stan. As you know he played for the River City for many years, and I know that we all rated him the tops, whether on clarinet or tenor sax. He always gave 100%, never stopped trying and maintained his enthusiasm for as long as he was able to perform. He had a heart problem for some years, and I remember the last gig we played together,when he passed out in the middle of a tenor solo. His first words when he came round were "I suppose this means I don't get paid!". Needless to say we made sure that Stan was paid. He was a talented musician, sadly missed.
Gordon.

John Taylor said...

Pete Sanderson, Jim Charlton and all at Ashington Jazz Club send their condolences. Lots of great sessions at the Elephant in the early days with the River City Jazzmen
Stan's Joke that we all remember - "Earl Bostic was really stuck on playing the sax"!
John

Blog Archive