Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sat 17: Homer’s Lane + John Garner & John Pope @ St John’s Church, Riding Mill. 2:00-4:00pm. Free. Gabriele Heller’s audio play + Garner & Pope.
Sat 17: Martyn Roper @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 5:00pm. Free. Roper’s ‘One Man Blues Band’.
Sat 17: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 17: Alexia Gardner Trio @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). Gardner, Alan Law & Jude Murphy.

Sun 18: Louis Louis Louis @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 2:00pm (doors). £15.00. Swing, jump jive, rhythm & blues. Fundraiser for St Oswald’s Hospice.
Sun 18: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Trio + Rod Sinclair.
Sun 18: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm.
Sun 18: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 18: Herdman-Strong Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 19: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

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).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Monday, January 06, 2014

And you thought Warren was charging over the top for Gregory Porter? Read this and you'll see he's practically given them away!

George Benson tickets sell out in six minutes - Ronnie Scott’s fastest selling show ever!
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the greatest legends of jazz, soul and popular music in the intimate surroundings of Ronnie Scott’s sold out to club members within six minutes of going on sale earlier today. The two shows which will take place on 18th June have been the club’s fastest selling shows to date.
Ten-time Grammy Award winner George Benson’s career spans 5 decades and over 30 albums. The jazz master has used his jazz roots as the foundation for an engaging mix of pop, R&B and other shades that add up to a style that appeals to a broad mainstream audience.
Those lucky enough to have got tickets will see Benson showcase his masterful guitar playing as he performs some of his greatest hits from his impressive back catalogue, including Give Me The Night, Turn Your Love Around and In Your Eyes. More about George Benson: http://www.georgebenson.com. The only way to get tickets now will be by Returns
George Benson, Ronnie Scott’s, June 18, 2014. 7.30pm and 10.30pm. Tickets at £200-£275 (Members: £160-£220). ronniescotts.co.uk
at

3 comments :

Nick Pride (on F/b) said...

Does anyone *really* think Warren is overcharging for bringing international artists to Newcastle to play in a tiny venue? I hope not, maybe people just like to grumble, but this story definitely puts it into perspective. Nice one, Lance.

Monday, January 06, 2014 5:31:00 pm
Lance said...

Hoochie also sold out the same day for Gregory Porter.

Monday, January 06, 2014 5:32:00 pm
Hugh said...

I don't think Warren is overcharging, given the size of the venue and limitations on numbers. The question remains though - do you want to see Gregory Porter enough to spend £40 on a ticket. It would appear that for 200 people the answer was yes!

The George Benson gig at Ronnie's certainly puts it into context.

Monday, January 06, 2014 9:04:00 pm

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