For the past seventeen years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world. WINNER of the Jazz Media Category in the 2018 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Contact lanceliddle@gmail.com
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From This Moment On ...
April 2025.
MAY 2025
Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (piano); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Mark Hawkins (drums);
Adrian Beadnell (bass).
Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Struggle Buggy @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. Free.
Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 04: Boys of Brass @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Ben Crosland Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £14.00. Tel: 0191 237 3697. ‘Victory in Europe Afternoon Tea’ (VE Day 80th anniversary).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: FILM: Whiplash @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:15pm.
Wed 07: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Reviewers wanted
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Brunswick Battle of the Blues Finalists.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Play it "Again" Doris, Mel, Nat...
PS: Olive, you could make this your own!
Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
Anticipate an evening of unmitigated pleasure....
Lance.
Local band The Groove-A-Matics (featuring Johnny Whitehill) from Gateshead one step nearer to performing in New Brunswick, Canada - New Brunswick Battle of the Blues announces North East heat winner and runners-up
Six blues acts went head to head at the North East heat of New Brunswick Battle of the Blues at St Peter’s Social Club, Walker Rd , Newcastle on 27 January - part of a UK-wide search to find Britain ’s best Blues talent. The judging panel voted The Groove-A-Matics from Gateshead as the winners and they’ll now prepare for the London final, where they will compete against acts from the other 3 regional heats. Runners up from the North East heat were How Askew from Newcastle and Lee Bates & Billy Newton, from Gateshead . They also have a chance of going through to the London final due to a public vote for the favourite runner up. So with the heat in Newcastle and winners and runners up coming from the area it was a great night for Newcastle and Gateshead musical talent! The Canadian Province of New Brunswick has been looking to the UK to provide new performers for its world-renowned Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, which celebrates its 21st Anniversary in 2012. Says competition organiser, Lee George; “The competition at this heat was fierce. Six excellent acts provided a great evening of live entertainment. But there had to be just one overall winner and The Groove-A-Matics was chosen. After winning The Groove-A-Matics said; "It was a brilliant experience to perform live with 5 other really talented blues acts. We’re really excited and can’t wait to play in the final in London . I’d like to thank Tourism New Brunswick for providing this great opportunity and for taking us one step closer towards Canada …..’ But the story doesn’t end there. There is also going to be a public vote so from 1st February you can go to the website (www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk ) to hear 2 runners-up acts from each of the 4 heats – and choose your favourite. The 'winning' runner up will then join the finalists from the heats at the final in London . The final is taking place at The Garage, Highbury in London , on 27 March. The winner will get an all-expenses paid trip to the beautiful maritime province of New Brunswick to perform on one of the main stages at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in the provinces’ capital Fredericton in September. They will also be given the chance to look around – last year’s winners went whale watching and sampled the very best of the province’s hospitality! Lee George again; “New Brunswick is not only a wonderful part of Canada , but it has a musical heartbeat like nowhere else in the world. Travelling to the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival could be a life-changing opportunity to perform amongst the very best and to sample ‘the jewel of Atlantic Canada’ and all that the Province has to offer.” The line-up at the North East heat was: Half Deaf Clatch from Hull , Greg Wilson and the Big Caffeine Fix from Carlisle, Stephen Murphy from Washington , Sunderland, Groove-A-Matics from Gateshead , Lee Bates and Billy Newton from Gateshead, and How Askew from Newcastle . For more information about the competition and the province of New Brunswick , visit www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk.

The Fantastic Fantastics @ Hoochie Coochie. Sunday Jan. 29
PS: Oh yes and Norton also played flute and wailed a mean blues harp. Collinson put down some riveting solos as well as playing jazzy riffs with Norton. Bass, drums and unidentified percussionist knocked out hypnotic rhythms, latin beats, funky grooves - they gave it the punch.
Debrett recognises GIJF
Sunday, January 29, 2012
New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gateshead Old Town Hall Sat. Jan.. 28
CD Review: Animation Agemo
Friday, January 27, 2012
Where is Al Gay?
Someone out there has the answer - hopefully Al himself.
Lance.
Thank you from Hilary Gilby.
Hil.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Pete Gilligan/Mark Williams @ Hoochie Coochie.
Not far behind were Chick Corea's Spain, Jarrett's Memories of Tomorrow and a couple of Metheny's as well as Herbie Hancock's Cantaloup Island.
Pete's back again next Thursday hosting a jam session in place of the previously advertised Frith Street.
This Sunday (Jan. 29) it's The Fantastics - an exciting jazz/funk/soul mix - and it's free!
Photos by Kaveh Emami.
Lance.
Variety isn't always the spice of life. Jo Wallfisch Band @ the Spice of Life
Photos.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Martin Wheatley and the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band - Boisdale, Canary Wharf.
Tonight @ Boisdale
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tasha Seale @ The Cherry Tree.
Maine Street Jazzmen @ The Porthole.
Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Mark Williams Trio @ The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle..
CD Review - Bruno Heinen's Dialogues Trio with Julian Siegel Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle Twinkle (Babel BDV 1192) is released on Monday 5th March.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
PG3 @ The Jazz Café
Bobby Wellins Quartet @ Darlington Arts Centre. January 20
Veteran tenor player Bobby Wellins made a welcome return (and farewell) to 'Darlo' in the stellar company of bassist Andy Cleyndert, drummer Mark Taylor and Italian pianist Andrea Pozza. Wellins played with undiminished vigour, eager to share his enthusiasm for the music and generous in support of the musicians working with him on this poignant occasion. Ellington (In a Sentimental Mood), Jobim (No More Blues and If You Never Come to Me) and Leroy Anderson's Serenata were but some of the first-set gems. Wellins referred to Andy Cleyndert as one of the finest bass players of his generation. I thought that was about right but there again he could be the finest. Drummer Mark Taylor - British born, New York resident (seventeen years and counting) - is, perhaps, the heir to Martin Drew.
Throughout 2011 the north east has heard some astounding drummers and here we are in January 2012 and Taylor continued the trend. If I formed a band (It won't be any time soon!) he'd be my first call, ditto Cleyndert. To Pozza...young, supremely gifted and a Steinway to play with. This boy has got it all. Wellins loved his playing. Accompanist, soloist, he would appear to have at his fingertips the entire history of jazz piano. A Modernist gig it was, yet Pozza dug deeper into the tradition. He was on a short visit to Britain to work and record for the first time with Wellins. Upon his return to these shores make sure you check him out. Our tenor man paid tribute to a native of these parts with Angel of the North - the Scot had a long association with the late Peter Jacobsen and it was rather apt to include it in the set list at this gig in the north of England. The curtain came down with Bye Bye Blackbird. Bye Bye Darlington.
Thank You
Hilary
Which band is this?
RIP Johnny Otis
Otis gave gave Etta James her big break and, ironically, Etta died yesterday.
Rest in peace.
Obituary.
Lance.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Farewell Etta James
A Tribute to Mike Gilby (take 2) Corner House, Newcastle.
100 years of jazz in 90 minutes - Saturday night at the Customs House.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mike Gilby - they did you proud! - Corner House, Newcastle.
With him were Graham Hardy on trumpet and flugel, Graeme Wilson on tenor, Stu Collingwood on keys and Andy Champion on bass.
For more big band photos from the concert go to the band's website.
Corner House: Tonight - Tribute to Mike Gilby.
*:Lewis Watson replaced by Graeme Wilson (See comments)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
CD Review - Daryl Sherman Mississippi Belle:Cole Porter in the Quarter
Everything ain't coming up Ros(i)es for Maine Street Jazzmen.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jesse Fuller - but where?

Rosie's still getting a facelift - No jazz this week.
Lance.
PS: I hope I'm wrong but I'm starting to get an uneasy feeling about this...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Will Haywood-Smith, a star in the making, and Lickety Split!
The Northern School of Jazz (Manchester).
Lance.
Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Noel Dennis Quintet @ The Bridge.
So a fitting farewell to Noel - our loss, Glasgow's gain - although no doubt he will return from time to time wearing a Tam O' Shanter and playing cool bagpipes.
Photos.
Lance.
Mo Scott Band @ The Central Bar Gateshead.
Tonight @ The Bridge and elsewhere.
If however you're more into soul and funk then Hoochie Coochie offer the Teapad Orchestra for free!.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
No Redemption
Friday, January 13, 2012
Jazz Singing Class - A Poetical Account
We don’t go to strangers
Congratulations Jo Harrop and J.C.Caddy.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Redemption Jazz @ Hoochie Coochie - Hallelujah!
Tonight @ Hoochie Coochie
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Rosie's getting a facelift - No jazz this week.
Blog Archive
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2012
(
1004
)
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January
(
64
)
- New Brunswick Battle of the Blues Finalists.
- Play it "Again" Doris, Mel, Nat...
- Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
- Local band The Groove-A-Matics (featuring Johnny W...
- The Fantastic Fantastics @ Hoochie Coochie. Sunday...
- Debrett recognises GIJF
- New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gateshead Old Town...
- CD Review: Animation Agemo
- Where is Al Gay?
- Thank you from Hilary Gilby.
- Pete Gilligan/Mark Williams @ Hoochie Coochie.
- Variety isn't always the spice of life. Jo Wallfis...
- Martin Wheatley and the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band ...
- Tonight @ Boisdale
- Tasha Seale @ The Cherry Tree.
- Maine Street Jazzmen @ The Porthole.
- Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
- Mark Williams Trio @ The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle..
- CD Review - Bruno Heinen's Dialogues Trio with Jul...
- PG3 @ The Jazz Café
- Bobby Wellins Quartet @ Darlington Arts Centre. Ja...
- Thank You
- Which band is this?
- RIP Johnny Otis
- Farewell Etta James
- A Tribute to Mike Gilby (take 2) Corner House, New...
- 100 years of jazz in 90 minutes - Saturday night a...
- Mike Gilby - they did you proud! - Corner House, N...
- Corner House: Tonight - Tribute to Mike Gilby.
- CD Review - Daryl Sherman Mississippi Belle:Cole P...
- Everything ain't coming up Ros(i)es for Maine Stre...
- Jesse Fuller - but where?
- Rosie's still getting a facelift - No jazz this week.
- Will Haywood-Smith, a star in the making, and Lick...
- The Northern School of Jazz (Manchester).
- Tonight @ The Cherry Tree
- Noel Dennis Quintet @ The Bridge.
- Mo Scott Band @ The Central Bar Gateshead.
- Tonight @ The Bridge and elsewhere.
- No Redemption
- Jazz Singing Class - A Poetical Account
- Congratulations Jo Harrop and J.C.Caddy.
- Redemption Jazz @ Hoochie Coochie - Hallelujah!
- Tonight @ Hoochie Coochie
- Rosie's getting a facelift - No jazz this week.
- New Brunswick Battle of the Blues
- Chris Hibbard w. Paul Edis Trio @ The Cherry Tree ...
- Ronnie Scott Band at Wheatley Hill.
- Tonight at the Cherry Tree
- Ruth Lambert @ The Bridge Hotel.
- Come in and hear the T(Ruth)
- Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party Videos.
- Gershwin @ The Proms
- Djangologie @ Hoochie Coochie Thurs Jan 5.
- Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie Malone's. Plus CD rev...
- "Der Bingle" at Trinity - Saturday Jan 14.
- Sheila Jordan Interview
- Off The Page Sound and Music Festival.
- Gig of the Year Result
- Jazz in the Afternoon @ The Crescent Club, Cullerc...
- Happy Birthday Lindsay Hannon
- Competition! A Free Pint of Ale from Lance - a rar...
- New Years Eve Jam @ The Jazz Café
- R.I.P. Dave Savill
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January
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64
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