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

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).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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, May 05, 2013

Swing City Trio @ Ashington Jazz Club May 1.

Steve Andrews  (sax/clt), Roy Cansdale (bass), Roly Veitch (gtr/vcls).
(Review 
and photo by Peter S. )
Although Steve and Roly have appeared at the AJC in the past this was the first visit of the Swing City Trio with bassist Roy and together our members experienced a sublime evening of quality musicianship, wonderful melodies and attractive lyrics. The Trio blended together with a refreshing cocktail selection of compositions, some familiar and some lesser known but never the less presented within pleasing arrangements.
Sadly the room lighting was so bad that tunes When Lights Are Low and Moonglow came to mind. Fortunately the quality of the music shone through the gloom. Roly sang so gently with the dedicated accompaniment of the bass and guitar while Steve played lyrical Saxes interspersed with appealing improvisation. Roy's bass was always subtly in the background alongside Roly's rhythm guitar creating support for Steve's smooth and sometimes out front sax. Within the group desirable improvisations enhanced the experience.

At the interval Roy introduced his electrical know-how by managing to restore an overhead light and "Oh, Oh, Oh, what a littile moonlight can do to you."

We enjoyed a second set of good quality swinging Jazz warmly applauded by the audience who had received a nicely balanced and varied programme.

You will not be disappointed supporting this band and in addition to the music Steve added his own historical knowledge on each master piece. I must not forget his humorous comments- always a bonus.

Next Meeting- Wednesday, July 5th. at the Elephant .8.30 p.m. when Gavin Lee's Dixieland Band will appear.
See you there.
Peter S.
Photos by Jim Fay.

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