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

Friday, December 17, 2010

A couple of things to look forward to at Blaydon.

Well, last night may have been a low point at Blaydon - the cancellation of Roy Williams with the Blaydon Jazz Quartet and the always popular Christmas Party was a bummer which ever way you look at it. However, the future holds at least two good gigs out in Sticksville (my little joke) to look forward to even if we have to wait till March by which time the weather will, we hope, have improved.
March 3 sees the return of that θαυμάσιος tenor player VASILIS XENOPOULOS. Vasi is in the region for a few days so expect to see him elsewhere but he will be at Blaydon first so that if you dig him (and who doesn't?) you can also catch him at other venues.
March 10 - no one man could follow Vasi so Roly, sensibly, booked 16 men and a girl! - The CUSTOMS HOUSE BIG BAND with RUTH LAMBERT.
Make a note in your diaries.
Lance.

4 comments :

Milov Watson said...

I was a bit surprised to see you using Greek fonts on the Blaydon Jazz Club preview, did you know that his name translates roughly as King Strangebird.
I wish you Euqumo Xristougenna kai Kalos Xronov sthn Tzaz.

Milov

Lance said...

Thank you for that Grecian Greeting Milov - it reminds me of the time a guy was talking to me in the pub about the Greek economy and it's effect on the Greek workforce.
I was bored to tears so, in an attempt to inject some levity into the conversation, I said, "all those Bouzouki players out of work eh?"
"Oh yes", he replied, "Sport will be effected."

Elaine said...

Thanks for the mention Lance.
I'm not sure about your description of the Customs House Big Band plus Ruth Lambert as "16 men and A girl" is entirely accurate!

Lance said...

Whoops! I must get my eyes tested!Apologies to Jill, yourself and the other lasses who pop in and out of the baritone and second tenor chair.

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