Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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

Friday, August 06, 2010

Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio w. Steve Andrews @ Ashington Jazz Club - Take 2

Steve Andrews (ten/alt/clt.whistle), Keith Stephen (gtr/bjo), Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl), Bruce Rollo (bs.)
The large audience were disappointed to hear that Caroline, the vivacious and energetic vocalist, was unable to appear due to illness. Caroline has a face and energy which launches big smiles from our mature audience... However, the versatile and accomplished Steve Andrews, who was depping for Caroline won the admiration of the audience as the evening progressed. It was Steve's first visit to our venue and what an enjoyable evening we experienced.
The unit played together in a very spontaneous free and joyful style and each number and solo received a deserved reaction. From the very start we knew we were in for some good Jazz.
Steve's Penny Whistle was introduced - a first for this Club and a surprise. His saxes were heard frequently and the rendition of Stardust a delight.
The group played gypsy jazz with style - they are outstanding in this idiom. Roly introduced his own West Indian composition, Calypso Joe, which created a holiday atmosphere and as we all know Roly sings a good tune on Sweet Sue and I'm Confessin' in the Chet Baker style. As always he found the moment to introduce a traditional Geordie Song and one known in our area as the Happenny Woods at Bedlington. Several numbers created excitement, pacy rhythms and fast moving fingers. The combo gave a professional, delightful performance and all went home happy after an evening well spent.
Our thanks to Keith, Roly, Bruce and our special guest Steve from Cumbria for a great evening's entertainment. We shall see you at our Christmas meet.
Can't wait.
Peter S.
P.S Keith managed to use the banjo on the final number and his singing voice.

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