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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Duo performance.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
Fri 25: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton Mill. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Fri 25: Struggle Buggy @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 25: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £20.30., £18.00. All-star big band.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums). An Opus 4 Jazz Club event.

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

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.

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.

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!

Corey Mwamba said...

Absolutely disgusting decision. Chance of appeal??

Anonymous said...

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

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