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, May 12, 2014

Alan Glen Trio @ Salsa Café, Newcastle - May 10.

Alan Glen (Keys) Paul Grainger (D. Bass)  Paul Wight (Drums)
(Review by Kath Jobes.)
A damp night in Newcastle and we opted to pop in to the Salsa Café, knowing that others would be reviewing the French Night at the Jazz Café … and to be honest, I had parked just across the road, and it was raining... and as you may know dear readers, Kats don’t like the rain!
The band had already kicked off with Its You or No-One and we arrived to How Deep is the Ocean.  A couple of visual songs followed: I’ll Close My Eyes and If You Could See Me Now… well actually Alan, this is probably the first time I have seen you in this setting, but hopefully not the last… this lovely soft and melodic music is ideal for dinner jazz…. And the diners certainly seemed to be enjoying it.  If I Should Lose You was followed by a lovely Alice in Wonderland and the first set was rounded off nicely by Nightshade and Miles Davis’ Tune Up.
Now I could wax lyrical about the superb piano playing together with the inimitable bass and drums from this superb trio, but really folks you need to hear it for yourselves… something I would recommend you do soon… superlative solos from all three musicians but I will highlight a couple…. The second set commenced with an Alan Glen original called Put That In Your Pipe and Smoke it… and of course with it being one of his own tunes, the piano solo was as expected… splendid!  Next up was one of my favourite tunes, But Beautiful… I love the way Lindsay Hannon sings this song… and connects so well with the audience… just as a quick aside, Lindsay will be singing at the Jazz Café as part of the late shows next weekend… so definitely worth a look out… I digress.  A lively Four was followed by I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, with a noteworthy bass solo from Paul Grainger and he continued to display his skill in the next tune, another favourite, from the musical Guys and Dolls… If I Were A Bell.  The final number of the night did not disappoint as Paul Wight was able to demonstrate his tremendous talent with an inspired solo section during Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Kath J.

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