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

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

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).

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, October 23, 2013

Havana Club 5 @ the Salsa Bar and Café – October 19

Sarah Travena (Sop Sax); Paul Grainger (Bs Gtr); Alan Law (Piano); Paco Rivera (Congas/Hand Perc.); Carlos Luis Rivera (Vocals, Timbales/Bongos).
(Review by Kath, Photo courtesy of Sara Sarita Lourenco)
The inaugural night of the Havana Club 5 at the Salsa Tapas Bar and Café just blew me away!
Spirited Latin and Afro Cuban music combined with delicious tapas and a superb ambience was the recipe for a perfect Saturday evening; the music had me dancing in my seat with a huge grin on my face, and looking around the audience the atmosphere was one of immeasurable enjoyment.
I have to confess that I am not an expert on Latin music, and some numbers I really didn't know the name of but I made it my mission to find out… courtesy of Mr Paul Grainger I was given the set list, the ones previously unknown to me wereChugo, How Insensitive, The Jody Grind, Carlito’s Way, Blue Bossa, and Chega De Saudade, which apparently was well known by another member of the audience who could not praise it highly enough as the Latin percussion was ‘just right’! These superbly played numbers were interspersed with delightful renditions of Como Fué, Green Dolphin Street, Song for my Father, Dinji, Besame Mucho and Caravan, each with a lovely deep Latin feel.
There were superb solos from every one of the musicians, I loved the way that Paco Rivera complemented Paul Grainger on Electric Bass with his varied percussion; Alan Law excelled on Piano… a true Pianista who brought a wonderful energy to the music. The lovely and talented saxophonist Sarah Travena was simply splendid, and the energy and contagious grin from Carlos Luis Rivera, mixed with some fabulous vocals and Latin moves made this night not one to be missed and if you did… your loss! Havana Club 5… more please!
Kath.

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