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, July 07, 2013

Budtones @ Ashington Jazz Club July 3.

Fiona Finden (ten.sax and vocals), Stuart Finden(ten. sax) Jim Crinson (bass), Eric Stutt (drums), Harley Johnson (keyboard).
(Review by Peter S.)

The Bud Tones were first time visitors to AJC and introduced their brand of modern Jazz in which they strongly believe.
I must admit that although not to everyone's taste you could not disregard their passion and commitment to the music or their instrumental skills. Our audience listened with interest and applauded warmly.

The marital sax team was a surprising innovation for Ashington and Fiona's vocals were a delight with influences of June Christy, Anita O'Day, Blossom Dearie, Manhattan Transfer and Annie Ross to name but a few. This Lady can sing as was demonstrated throughout the evening and she was supported creatively by the Bud Tones.
The second set was a subtle interpretation of established standards in the Jazz genre. The rhythm section drove the music forward at times like Formula 1. The keyboard young man with Roland Synth (is it keytar?) worked well with drums and bass as the trio followed each others’ moves in the development of the improvisation.
Overall this was an unexpected but interesting experience and there will be Jazz followers out there who would really enjoy the B.T. Bebop Spoken Here will no doubt keep you informed of future venues and dates.
Peter S.
Next meeting at AJC is on August 7  and is a Double Bill featuring the Dean Stockdale Trio (Tribute to Oscar Peterson) . Plus  Katherine Stone Quartet with an American Song Book Collection accompanied by the above.
See you there at the Elephant.

1 comment :

Jim Fay (on F/b) said...

Agreed with Peter's assessment with one negative thought. The backing was too loud at times and because of that we couldn't always hear Fiona's singing.

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