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, April 20, 2012

Wilbur's Fate @ Hoochie Coochie April 19.


(Review by Lance).
Jordie Cooke (gtr); Dave McKeague (dms); John Pope (bs/bs gtr); Matt Foster (ten/bs clt).
It were ne'er a fit night out for man nor beast - even the coolest of cats was huddled up to the CD (Cat Disc) player. However, I'm a fit knight so I ventured forth. My quest? To discover the Fate of Wilbur! Before this, however, I had to acquire some sugar free mints for 'er indoors, Simple task you may think?
Not in Newcastle! The Toon isn't a sugar free zone surprise, surprise! Jason's quest to find the Golden Fleece was child's play by comparison! After Fenwick's, Superdrug, WH Smith  and McColl's  failed to deliver I gave up and bought a pack of Tic Tacs.
I digress.


Wilbur's Fate are an adventurous band - they push the boundaries but don't quite exceed them. This for me is how it should be. Near the edge and peering into the vast unknown but hang on boys we're not quite ready yet to trust our gossamer wings.
They played some great numbers - my fave was the one about a puppet which Russell tells me was the first one Jordie ever wrote! Advice - don't set yourself such a high benchmark! I jest, his other comps were equally good as were tenorist Matt's.
John Pope played bass guitar as well as double bass even if he did - horror of horrors - occasionally use a bow! At one stage he pounded the bass's body with his fingers.
Matt on tenor blows it like midnight and he's emerging from the wreck of the Titanic.
The band could be playing Nearer My God To Thee but Matt is blowing what Coltrane would have blown if he'd been on the big ship.
The doomed passengers applaud and Matt says, "Okay - to the lifeboats - woman, children and saxophone players first....
I'm being facetious but it would be sad to see the band sink after the two frontmen fly off to Birmingham Uni. in September.
Getting back to Hoochie - another splendid night! Next week it's Zoe.
Lance

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