Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18621 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 485 of them this year alone and, so far this month (June 14) 37

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

From This Moment On

June

Tue 23: Alan Law Trio @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free.
Tue 23: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 24: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 25: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 25: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Forgotten Ones & Any Quintets.
Thu 25: Edgar Ho Trio @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free. Brilliant alto sax, piano & double bass trio. Unmissable!
Thu 25: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 26: Finn-Keeble Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9:00.
Fri 26: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 26: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 26: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 26: Clark Tracey @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Newcastle Jazz Festival. £26.00. Day 1/2.

Sat 27: OUTRI @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £13.01. 1:00-1:45pm. Newcastle Jazz Festival. Day 2/2.
Sat 27: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Richardson & Westgarth Sport & Social Club, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. Note change of venue.
Sat 27: House of the Black Gardenia + Magpies of Swing @ The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sat 27: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 2:15-3:15pm. £13.01. Newcastle Jazz Festival. Day 2/2.
Sat 27: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 3:45-4:45pm. £13.01. Newcastle Jazz Festival. Day 2/2.
Sat 27: Rory Ingham @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 5:30-6:30pm. £19.51. Newcastle Jazz Festival. Day 2/2. Ingham w. Dean Stockdale, Ian Paterson, Dave McKeague.
Sat 27: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 27: Laura Jurd @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £26.00. Newcastle Jazz Festival. Day 2/2. Sat 27: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 28: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 28: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: Tim Kliphuis Trio @ St Mary’s Church, Wooler. 3:00pm. £18.00., £6.00. A Wooler Arts Summer Concerts event. Tim Kliphuis (violin); Nigel Clark (guitar); Roy Percy (double bass).
Sun 28: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: An Evening of Jazz @ St James’ Church, Copper Chare, Morpeth. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 from 01670 788869 or 01670 519923. Mid Northumberland Chorus (MD Robin Forbes, Emma Straughan, piano) w. jazz trio featuring Edgar Ho, Oscar Ho & Dave McKeague & special guest Emily Masser. Performance inc. Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass + George Shearing’s Songs & Sonnets.
Sun 28: Led Bib @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £15.00., £12.00. JNE.

Mon 29: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Arts Council Pull the Plug.

(From Paul Bream's Jazz Alert) I am numb with shock. . . the Arts Council has rejected Jazz North East’s application for the essential funding that would have enabled them to continue and expand their activities into 2014 and beyond.
The adventurous programming policy that has earned Jazz North East an outstanding national and international reputation means that they have long operated close to the financial edge; this funding decision means that there is a very real possibility that JNE will be forced to shut up shop by the end of this year, depriving the North East audience of the chance to hear a wide range of brilliant musicians, and also leaving a gaping hole in the touring plans of many developing artists for whom a gig on Tyneside was regarded as a crucial component in building their experience and reputation.
The Arts Council claims that its mission is that of “Achieving great art for everyone”, and its first stated goal is to ensure that “talent and artistic excellence are thriving and celebrated”. Their decision in respect of Jazz North East runs directly counter to both aims.
Ironic, then, that the first gig I list in this week’s ‘Jazz Alert’ is a prime example of JNE’s exciting, risk-taking programming. And there are more examples in the weeks to come, with, for instance, bands from Canada and Luxembourg who have chosen to come to Tyneside for their only English gigs outside London. The Arts Council clearly don’t recognise the value of this; the best riposte from local audiences would be to show their support by packing the gigs.  
Paul Bream Jazz North East.
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4 comments :

Exasperated from Tynemouth said...

So really, the Arts Council's claims are just a load of bollocks? Well, someone had to say it. It would be interesting to find the true reason (and not the initial explanation which will no doubt be vague) for their DISCRIMINATION against the North East. Very sad, no doubt the "experts" that make these decisions (an "ex-spurt" being a drip under pressure) - will not be affiliated in any way to the North East. Very disappointing. I look forward to seeing the allocation of funding, and the subsequent justification from the "ex-spurts". In the meantime people, GO TO ALL THE GIGS, and prove them wrong.

Friday, September 20, 2013 6:22:00 pm
Lee Paterson said...

that is shocking Paul! sure you were only asking for a very modest amount. Jazz NE has long and wonderful track record of taking risks and booking outstanding musicians, and respecting that audiences are up to the challenges and delights. Shame on Arts Co. and commiserations to all those at JNE who have worked so hard..we salute you! I second comment above, vote with your bums on the seats!

Saturday, September 21, 2013 6:08:00 pm
Corey Mwamba said...

Absolutely disgusting decision. Chance of appeal??

Saturday, September 21, 2013 7:52:00 pm
Anonymous said...

how much shortfall will there be as a result of this?

Sunday, September 22, 2013 12:56:00 pm

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