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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

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: 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.

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 20, 2013

Take it to the Bridge @ The Chillingham. June 19, 2013

Dave Weisser (trumpet, flugelhorn & vocals), Peter Hepplewhite (clarinet), Jack Courtney (trumpet), Barrie Ascroft (keyboards), James Creswick (electric bass) & Norman Redhead (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Clarinetist Peter Hepplewhite called the first number, a stately take on Misty featuring a round of solos and a vocal from bandleader Dave Weisser. Autumn Leaves introduced a new voice, that of trumpeter Jack Courtney. Of the new generation, the trumpeter took a muted solo with no little confidence and it was down to Weisser to pluck the lyrics from his memory bank of tunes.
On Green Dolphin Street proved to be unfamiliar territory for some but Weisser’s workshop set-up ensured all came out the other end unscathed; Hepplewhite stepped up, Weisser switched to flugel and Courtney hit the mark. Easy Living held no fears with all keen to grab a piece of the action - clarinet, trumpet, keyboards (mainstay Barrie Ascroft), flugel and vocals from DW, five string bassist James Creswick  and the man at the back - drummer Norman Redhead - kept them in order.
A first pint (Firebrick from Blaydon) hadn’t travelled well, so an interval refill called for a reliable brew - none better than Jarrow’s Rivet Catcher. Dave Weisser told tales - with photographic proof - of great days on the cruise ships, raffle tickets were snapped up and in no time we were treated to more Nostalgia (the tune that is) with Weisser’s flugel leading off, Courtney (mute left on the floor), Hepplewhite (clarinet), Ascroft’s crafted contribution and Creswick’s nimble fretwork. Falling in Love with Love did the rounds - more impressive work from Courtney and no surprise that Dave Weisser knew the lyrics, just like that. A relaxing session on a warm night at the Chilli. Oh, your reviewer won the raffle - two volumes of Duke Pearson. Oh, yes! 
Russell.            

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