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

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.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, 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

Sunday, April 15, 2012

New Orleans Z'hulus - Jazz in the (Boston) Spa, Saturday April 14

Brian Turnock (bs), Emile Van Pelt (pno), Phillippe De Smet (tmb), John Defferary (clt), Dan Vercruysse (tpt), Lielian Tann (dms)
At last, a real and tangible benefit to being "European" .... we were indeed fortunate to experience a band who are very popular all over Europe at Jazz Clubs and Festivals,and currently on a UK tour.
Boasting a truly European line up of Belgian, Dutch and German based stars, the Zhulus lived up to their name with a robust display of virtuoso jazz in the revival form of New Orleans Jazz.
Original member Brian - 28 years and counting - led the way with not only brightly coloured trousers but a fine display of bass playing. The "back row" was completed with Emile's hard driving piano in true New Orleans style, and the oustanding young - and beautiful - Dutch drummer Lielian. Dan on trumpet led the band, and his deft touch was a highlight. Alongside, to me, the star of the evening, John Defferary on clarinet ....50 years of experience gained with the likes of Chris Barber showed as this outstanding reeds man shone! Completing the line up, the very able Phillippe on trombone, another founder member.
Down in Jungle Town, Bogalusa Strut, My Josephine, Linger a While, Ballin' The Jack, Homer Louisiana, Bechet's Le Marchand De Poisson (the Fish Seller), then into an all too soon break with Redwing.
Back for the second half with Ostrich Walk, Jada, Where the Blue of the Night (meets the gold of the day), Running Wild, Solumente uno Veste, Jealous, By and By, Get out of here (and go on home).........all too soon it was indeed time to head for home .....but not before a beautiful I'll See You In My Dreams.
Having invested in their CD "Black Cat on the Fence" to while away the journey home to Tyneside to round of another great evening at the Spa, we did indeed see the Zhulus in our dreams ....
Ray Robson.
Next up at the Spa, Sat 21st April, Jazz Connection - Dutch jive 'n' swing band featuring melodies from Louis Jordan and Louis Prima

1 comment :

John Taylor said...

Lielian is a great marching band drummer. Lots on utube of her with the Dixiland Crackerjacks

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