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

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: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
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: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.

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

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Ear Training and Improvisation @ The Lit and Phil.

Led by Dr Paul Edis, these four sessions are designed for any musician interested in developing their improvisation and aural skills. Based on the Aural Perception course that Paul taught at the 
University of York, each 90 minute session is intended to reflect the needs of those involved, and to develop a sophisticated approach to improvisation and ear training with analysis and discussion of 
music from Handel through to the present day. 

Each session will give specific theory and ideas that might help y
ou in your improvisation and ear
training, and if you want to bring your instrument along, there’ll be a friendly and supportive
atmosphere in which you can put some of these new ideas into practice.
This is not just a course designed for jazz musicians or enthusiasts! The approach is to look at the
fundamental elements in music and in improvisation and to see the similarities between different
genres and periods of music, and not just the differences.
Admission is FREE, and all are welcome!
If you are interested, please could you contact Paul, and answer the following 2 questions!

1) do you play an instrument? If so, then what?
2) how would you describe your abilities - complete beginner, some technique and decent ears, good technique but rubbish ears, supremely confident!

----------------------------

DETAILS

FREE ADMISSION!

Sessions are on the following dates: September 24th, October 8th and 22nd, November 5th

If you want to bring your instrument and setup, then please be there early for 7.15. Each class starts
at 7.30 and runs till 9.

Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE

www.pauledis.co.uk
paul@pauledis.co.uk

---------------------------

Paul Edis

Described as ‘one of the finest pianists in the North East’ Paul is a familiar figure on the North East Jazz scene. He appears regularly with a host of local musicians and with touring artists and guest soloists. He has performed at some of the UK's top venues, festivals and on radio. He has given classical recitals, played for numerous shows and recordings and is in high demand as a sight-reader and accompanist. Working as a freelance composer, Paul completed his PhD in Composition at the University of York in 2011. Alongside his busy performance schedule he teaches for the Sage Young Musicians Programme and Sunderland City Council as well as giving private lessons to pupils of all
ability and ages. 

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