Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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, November 10, 2013

Gavin Lee's Dixieland Band @ Ashington Jazz Club. November 6

Gavin Lee (Clarinet and Alto Saxophone), Phil Smith (Bass), Jimmy Stix Robinson (Drums), Brian Chester (Keyboard).
(Review by Peter S.).
Gavin arrived on this occasion with a group of musicians never seen at AJC within this combination. No soprano sax this time but with clarinet and alto sax which he plays with style and perfection. Always with him Phil Smith on bass and much to our surprise and delight Brian Chester on keyboard and on his first encounter with the AJC  Jimmy Stix on drums.
This was an unexpected combination but the perfect unit to perform Gavin's chosen programme for the evening. The selections were refreshing as the group introduced many melodies never heard before and not repeated popular requests that is often the format on these evenings. Gavin introduced each in his own humorous dialect which needed no translation here in Ashington. The dedicated trio behind gave wonderful support to his skill on reeds and delivered  a very enjoyable invigorating recital throughout the evening. It is a pleasure to be able to listen to these accomplished instrumentalists from our region. We are so fortunate. Our audience loved every musical moment as much as the group appeared to. They must be hiding some talent under those hats and the members showed their pleasure in the accepted manner.  Feedback  was very positive with expressions of delight and thanks. "Ecstatic" was one comment from one of our critical members, "wonderful" another , come back soon etc. What more can be said? Thank you gentlemen.
Programme (but may not be in the played order).
At a Dixie Roadside Diner, Alone in the Rain, After You, Broadway Rose, Dancing on the Stars, Every Evening I Miss you, Fine and Dandy, I Close my Eyes, Moon Over Miami, My Baby Just Cares for me, Mighty Blue, Madeleine, Susie, Seems Like Old times, When Mabel Comes in the Room, What a Difference a Day Makes, You're Driving me Crazy, and Transatlantic Lullaby."
NEXT MEETING - Wednesday December 4. at 8.00 p.m. (Early Start)
 Keith and Caroline with Gypsy Jazz.
We are always happy to see you there.
Peter S.

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