Bebop Spoken There

Jools Holland (on his 2026 spring/summer tour): ''With the mighty [R&B] Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows [including Darlington Hippodrome, June 19], we're in for some very special evenings of music.'' The Northern Echo February 5, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

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.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.

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, March 01, 2013

New Independent Vocal Jazz Academy

The first British and International Vocal (Jazz) Academy workshop course will take place from Sunday 7 April 2013 with rolling enrolment thereafter.
Where:           West London

When:Fortnightly on Sundays

Who for:         Around 12 individuals who are serious about developing their knowledge and skills with a view to creating successful jazz performance – all styles.
Why:               BIVJA is keen to encourage mature students as well as young people at the start of their careers.
There are very few bespoke courses for vocalists who wish to empower themselves with a greater understanding of the rhythm section, band leading and performance confidence.
Is it for me?    Call for an informal chat on 020 8992 1571 (leave message and we’ll call you back).
Further course details: www.veronachard.com/bivja
Scholarship:
One full scholarship will be awarded per term
This is a high quality enterprise implementing the skills and experience of a full rhythm section. A course for those who wish to acquire a greater understanding of the working of that rhythm section plus harmony, aural, jazz music theory and jazz style through practical sessions integrating performance, history, vocal technique and all ‘tools of the trade’.
UNIQUE
BIVJA promotes a safe but challenging environment and it’s different because of its very  'hands on' approach. As the course develops ALL students will have acquired some practical knowledge of piano, bass, kit and percussion playing and band leading skills in addition to vocal and technical skills.
Sessions will be followed by a de-brief, student feedback, career support and Q+A - again a unique opportunity
Specialist workshops:
Participants will have access to workshops on specific skills such as PA set up and mixing and workshops with visiting professional singers, instrumentalists and mentors.
The support group created by this enterprise will assist students in self-promotion and performance opportunities.
Schedule:
The course runs for 7 x 6 hourly sessions plus one performance session per term. The course allows us to accommodate working musicians and freelancers plus students and those in regular employment.
Course founder:
Verona Chard LRAM, Dip Ram studied at Trinity Laban and the Royal Academy of Music and is a jazz / classical crossover singer, lyricist, actor promoter and vocal coach. She has performed internationally – most recently at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory Festival in Nepal at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London.
She sits on the MU Jazz Section committee, is an Equity member and visiting expert coach on X Factor Poland and at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London on the BA (Hons) Acting course - Musical Theatre Pathway. She also collaborates with award winning jazz singer Claire Martin OBE and pianists John Horler, Gareth Williams and Chris Neill.
Thank you for your interest.
Please contact us as below:
Best Wishes,
BIVJA Director -

Verona Chard – 020 8992 1571 – leave message, and contact details

07985 440902

Course will initially take place at:
Ealing House 33, Hanger Lane, London W5 3HJ  - Room 24 – this room is accessible from street level. There is one step into the front of the building and we will help wheelchair users to access the building as requested.
Parking available in adjacent streets and there is good public transport – North Ealing, Ealing Common and Ealing Broadway.

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