Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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

Monday, February 11, 2013

Katherine Stone Quartet @ Ashington Jazz Club. February 6.

Katherine Stone (vcl); Dean Stockdale (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Steve Doyle (dms).
(Review by Peter S.)
Jazz returned to the Elephant after what has been a long winter. Our members returned in numbers to welcome the Katherine Stone Quartet on a first visit to A.J.C.. 
Ms Stone was impeccably supported by the brilliant musicians behind her who delivered a selection of melodies from the Great American Song Book with style and spirited interpretations.
Katherine made an anxious and nervous start to the opening song but soon realised they were in appreciative and friendly company. She need not have worried as we at AJC respect the sincere and dedicated musicians who make the effort to travel this far North to entertain.
The musicianship was exceptional and enthusiasts listened with approval to a consummate and classical rendition throughout the evening. Some were inspired to dance thou none would be candidates for Strictly Come Dancing which was not important when enjoyment was the motivation.
Katherine and her boys were comfortable with the venue and relaxed as each song received rapturous applause. Within a comprehensive programme of 25 lyrics interpreted with style we got great value from a very accomplished and well organised foursome recreating the music of Frank , Ella, Nat, Dean, Billie and many covers from others performing this special music brand today.
Sadly, the evening inevitably came to an end with all satisfied and delighted to have had the pleasure of hearing an outstanding Quartet. 
We look forward to the next occasion when they appear on  at the AJC .Finally, thanks to John  T. who encouraged the group to appear. He has good musical taste.Also thanks to our members for their loyal support.
Next month (March 7 at 8.30 p.m.) Djangologie are on the Bill. They were terrific last appearance.
See you there.
Photos from Jim Fay (above by Peter S.)
Peter S.   

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