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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Thu 29: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 35s only. Rescheduled from December 4th.
Thu 29: Oh No Noh + Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £16.45., £13.28., £12.22., £9.04. Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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: TBC.
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.

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

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Of All The Gin Joints in Newcastle...

Pete Gilligan (pno,bs); Eric Stutt (dms); Sarah Travena (ten); Matthew Office (gtr); Stuart Finden (ten, pno, bas); Fiona Littlewood (vcl, ten); Gaby (vcl).
The Jazz Café reminds me of Rick's in the film Casablanca. I'm not sure why - Keith ain't no Humphrey Bogart!
It's the cosmopolitan edge. In the film, Rick says 'I'm a citizen of the world' and you get that feeling in the Pink Lane Jazz Joint.
This afternoon there were Japanese, Portuguese, Mancunians and a Germanic vocalist.
Let's talk about Frau Gaby.
Gaby, one of Lindsay Hannen's protéges, is an ever improving talent.
Today, her chosen works were; I'm Beginning To See The Light, Love Me Or Leave Me, Get Out of Town, Lullaby of Birdland and God Bless The Child all done with great sensitivity. On the swingers Gaby's scat choruses were a blast.
Gaby - Der star!
Earlier, Fiona had demonstrated just how much she too has developed as a vocalist on There Is No Greater Love, Straight No Chaser, Corcovado, Gee Baby Ain't I Good To you, and My Baby Likes to Bebop.
Midst it all Sarah was blowing great tenor, Pete was kicking D dim 7ths into Clayton Street - ably abetted by Eric on kit. Stu Finden put in some basswork and Matt Office had a few moments of glory on guitar.
Casablanca it ain't but it's pretty damn close!
Play it Pete!
Lance.
PS: When Colin Aitchison sent me a Ned Kelly's tee shirt he requested a photo of me wearing it at a local jazz venue hence the above picture taken by Rick or rather Keith.

3 comments :

George Milburn said...

Must get along to this Jazz Cafe - the gang poured into the Head of Steam last night - hey Lance, aren't you supposed to smile!

Lance said...

It was so cold standing outside I was scared to open my mouth in case icicles formed!

Unknown said...

Gaby was also on superb form at the Jazz Cafe on Monday 13 Dec, where she was taking part in the end of term showcase for Blue Jazz Voices. There's another session on Wednesday 15 Dec. Lindsay is really doing a great job at bringing talented but shy vocalists out of the bathroom and into the bar room.

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