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

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Gabriele Mit Zwei + Jam Session @ The Star Inn June 26

Gabriele Heller (vcl); Dave Parker (bs); Steve Glendinning (gtr) + Paul Grainger (bs) and several.others.
(Review by Lance)
Tonight, down in Soho, Sarah Ellen Hughes gave a farewell performance at The Spice of Life prior to returning to primary school teaching - from one jungle to another! We wish her well and have fond memories of her north east appearances at the Cherry Tree, Customs House and Sage Gateshead (with Sector 7).
So what has this to do with the Star Inn on Westgate Rd.I hear you ask?
Tonight was very much like the Wednesday nights at "The Spice" that I so much enjoy when I'm "in town" rather than "toon".
Gabby strutted her stuff brilliantly. After a hesitant Lullaby of Birdland the lady got into her stride with Come-On-My-House; Sister (great number with a familiar chord pattern); a self penned waltz (music by Steve Glendinning)), Broken Silence; Don't Mess Around With Me; Softly as in a Morning Sunrise; Speak Low; Come Into my Kitchen and All or Nothing at All.
Steve Glendinning played tastefully and sympathetically with outstanding solos. Dave Parker was rock solid with the occasional arco passage and the absence of  the piano wasn't enough to lessen the performance.
Gabby later compéred the jam session and Paul Grainger took over on bass as the wannabes had their moment in the spotlight.
Jen Errington had the difficult task of following Gabby, nevertheless, she did good, her Ipanema  showed that she is another emerging talent from the Sage  Jazz Vocal Class. Li-Dan gave us Cry me a River. The diminutive young Asian student had a surprisingly mature voice and drew lots of whoops and hollers. Mel Slattery took the place by storm with My Funny Valentine - not my favourite song although maybe it is now!
Our own Ann Alex announced that she'd moved house and now lived  On Green Dolphin Street. Well done Ann.
Next up we had some blues guitar from Jack Cummings who backed a young guy named Michael. Michael sang some down home earthy blues. Man this was like the Jazz Café all over again! The evening ended with Sue Straker saying It's Alright With Me
It was alright with me too!
Not sure at present who's on next week.
Lance.

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