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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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 Theatre. 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: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, 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, March 17, 2014

Salsa Cafe Jazz Jam: Sunday March 16

Pete Gilligan (keys, drums); Steve Brown (bass guitar, keys); Joel Brown (keys); John Usher (guitar); Kay Usher (violin); Stuart Mckie (guitar); Stuart Findon (tenor sax, bass guitar); Fiona Findon (tenor sax, vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Paul Ruddick (alto sax);  Peter Ninnim (drums); Someone Else? (drums); Jenny Lingham (vocals); Ann Alex (vocals).
(Review by Ann Alex).
Readers will be able to tell from the above list that this was an informal, lively, thoroughly enjoyable session, with lots of mixing and matching, and people trying instruments that they don’t play so often.  I could maybe find myself on drums next time, so bring earplugs just in case. 
Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, but my excuse is that it was also a very sociable afternoon with lots of chatting, though that didn’t stop us from listening to some fine interpretations of standards such as Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (Pete G totally on form, many solos, lovely constant whisk, whisk of cymbals); How High The Moon (led by a tenor sax); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (young Joel on keys cutting across with chords, less is more); Green Dolphin Street (sliding alto sax, contrasted with Stu’s more staccato tenor); All The Things You Are (Stu has switched to bass guitar); Pete back on keys for Fly Me To The Moon.  
We singers did our bit, Fiona with Softly As In A Morning Sunrise and a beautifully sung God Bless The Child, every word had meaning; I did Secret Love, which went well, with many solos, even from Pete on drums; Jenny did a skilled version of a difficult song, Speak Low.  One more tune from the band and that was it for another smashing week.        
Ann Alex.

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