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

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

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, March 12, 2014

Gala Theatre Lunchtime Update

May 23 – Swing City Trio
The Swing City came together in 2007, with the aim of recreating the small group, swing style jazz typical of the New York clubs of the late 30s and 40s. You can expect the music of Gershwin, Berlin, Cole Porter and other great songsmiths of the sophisticated 1930's era performed by Steve Andrews (Saxophone) Roly Veitch (Guitar) and Neil Harland (Bass). 
June 20 – Sue Ferris Quartet
Talented Saxophonist and Flautist Sue Ferris has performed in numerous groups in the North East and beyond. Her quartet featuring Neil Harland (bass) Rob Walker  (drums) and Paul Edis play swinging straight ahead jazz rooted in the music of the 'Great American Songbook'. 
July 16 – Paul Edis Sextet
Led by a ‘brilliant young pianist’ (Alyn Shipton, The Guardian) the Paul Edis Sextet is steeped in the straight-ahead tradition, but with an original and contemporary edge. Their début album There Will Be Time was voted 3rd best album of 2012 (Alyn Shipton, Jazzwise). With some intricate arrangements, solid grooves and exquisite melodies, this group has wowed audiences and critics alike with their performances to date.
July 18 – Northern Monkey Brass Band
Formed at the beginning of 2009, the band formerly known as Horn Dogs are a deeply funky collective of some of the finest drum and brass players in the North East of England.
Led by trumpeter Graham Hardy, the NMBB were initially inspired by Rebirth Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Youngblood Brass Band to name a few (as well as that bit at the beginning of Live And Let Die). They have rapidly earned a reputation for lively, energetic shows featuring well known covers in a way you've never heard them, classics of the genre and original music written specifically for the band. Whether they're busking on the street, playing at festivals or an intimate bar gig, Northern Monkey Brass Band show you a good time.
Gala Theatre. Millennium Place, Durham City. 1pm. £4.

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