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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 2025).

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

18043 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 364 of them this year alone and, so far, 42 this month (May 15).

From This Moment On ...

MAY 2025

Mon 19: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 19: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.
Tue 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Pleased to Meet You, Bridge St., Morpeth NE61 1ND. 8:00pm.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public). b Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Nuevo Castillo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £5.00.
Thu 22: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:30-9:15pm. Free.
Thu 22: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 23: Dean Stockdale Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. ‘Celebrating Oscar’.
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 23: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Joe Steels Group @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. + £1.55. bf. A Northumberland Jazz Festival fringe event.
Fri 23: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 23: Gaz Hughes Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm.
Fri 23: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 8:00pm. £19.00.; £17.00. ‘Time After Time’.

Sat 24: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:15pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 24: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Bywell Hall, Stocksfield. 1:30pm. Northumberland County Show.
Sat 24: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 24: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm.
Sat 24: Dean Stockdale Quartet + Mingus Sings @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Stockdale (piano); Tim Williams (guitar); Gavin Barras (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums) + Mingus Sings: Sara Oschlag (vocals); Alan Barnes (reeds); Tim Lapthorn (piano); Arnie Somogyi (double bass); Clark Tracey (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sat 24: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 24: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sat 24: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 24: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 25: Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion: Bandstand Sessions @ The Sele, Hexham. 12 noon. Free. A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Spanish City Plaza (outdoor stage). 1:00pm. Free. A Whitley Bay Carnival event.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Catriona Bourne Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Bourne (harp), Francis Tulip (guitar), James Owston (double bass), Joe Bainbridge (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Struggle Buggy @ The Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sun 25: Joe Steels Group + Norma Winstone (vocals); Nikki Iles (piano); Mike Walker (guitar); Steve Watts (double bass). 7:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Steels (guitar); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (piano); Paul Susans (double bass); John Hirst (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 25: Xhosa Cole/Neil Charles/Mark Sanders @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A JNE promotion. Note: Xhosa Cole replaces Nicole Mitchell.

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

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Jazz at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM), York

NCEM Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
 Adriano Adewale and Benjamim Taubkin
Thursday 10 October 7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Brazilian pianist Taubkin has been making waves with his sensual mix of lush traditional arrangements laced with cutting edge technique and contemporary harmony. For this tour he has teamed up with exhilarating and innovative percussionist Adewale.Their work together revolves around the play of push and pull between two instruments, which are often considered the backbone of bossa nova.
Tickets: £12.00 (concessions £10.00; students £5.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
Look Stranger
Ruth Culver and the Utter:Jazz Quartet
with special guest reader Sir Derek Jacobi
Thursday 17 October  7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
To mark Britten’s Centenary, Utter:Jazz weave swing, samba, blues and grooves through their vibrant re-imaginings of Benjamin Britten’s WH Auden songs. Britten’s stunning harmonic soundscapes and Auden’s passionate and political lyrics are refracted through many diverse influences of contemporary jazz in these intriguing and entertaining new arrangements. In between songs are readings of WH Auden’s poetry by Sir Derek Jacobi.
Tickets: £17.00 (concessions £15.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
Rafiki Jazz
Declaration Kriol
Friday 18 October  7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Promising an extravagant blitz of dancing cross-continental world music wizardry, this project brings an expanded Rafiki Jazz ensemble, presenting an inspired collaborative show where global folk heritage traditions come up against the digital domain and our own very British babble of migrated languages. Rafiki Jazz return to the NCEM to showcase vibrant new music from their new album. 
Tickets: £12.00 (concessions £10.00; students £5.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
The Cobra Club
Featuring York Musicians and Dancers
Saturday 26 October 3.00pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Join Snake Davis and students from Burnholme Community College and Joseph Rowntree Secondary
School for a showcase extravaganza to mark the end of a 6-week jazz project run by Music4U and the NCEM. Helped by musician Sue Williamson and newly graduated Leeds College of Music students the newly formed band has learnt some of Snake’s material, jazz, pop and soul standards and also have written their own songs. Music lovers, Snake fans, family and friends are all welcome.
Tickets: £3.00 (concessions £2.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk  
 Snake Davis Band
Snake Davis saxophone, flute, shakuhach, whistle
Paul Birchall keyboards
Ali Thynne drums
Simon Goulding bass
Saturday 26 October 7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Top British soul, jazz and funk saxophonist Snake Davis will be showcasing the brand new ‘Missing You’ CD. Snake the ‘sax man’ is widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield’s ‘Change’, M-Peoples ‘Search For A Hero’ and ‘Moving On Up’ and Take That’s ‘A Million Love Songs’. A highly talented player, he is also a musical director, a writer, an arranger, band leader and sought after for his work in education.
Tickets: £17.00 (concessions £15.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
Jamil Sheriff Trio
Friday 8 November 7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Featuring Dave Walsh drums and Peter Turner double bass, this will be a real treat for anyone who loves the jazz piano trio. The group has a very original sound and their playful approach and joyous interplay is the perfect backdrop for a set of original, contemporary repertoire.
Tickets: £12.00 (concessions £10.00; students £5.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
Saxophone Giants: A Tribute to Jazz’s Greatest Saxophonists
Jean Toussaint saxophones Keith Loftis saxophones
Reuben James piano Dave Hamblett drums
Mark Lewandowski double bass
Sunday 1 December  7.30pm
NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Keith Loftis, American tenor player makes his UK debut with Saxophone Giants. He will be joined by tenor player, Jean Toussaint and the Reuben James Trio. This will be their first tour since the late, great Wilson passed away suddenly in June 2012. Through some of the 20th century’s most celebrated saxophonists Loftis and Toussaint will blow you away with their clarity of tone, honesty and passion.
Tickets: £15.00 (concessions £13.00; students £5.00)
Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk
Bethan Thomas
Box Office Manager
National Centre for Early Music
St Margaret’s Church
Walmgate
York
YO1 9TL
Tel: 01904 658338
Fax: 01904 612631
Twitter: @yorkearlymusic



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