Bebop Spoken There

Jools Holland (on his 2026 spring/summer tour): ''With the mighty [R&B] Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows [including Darlington Hippodrome, June 19], we're in for some very special evenings of music.'' The Northern Echo February 5, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

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: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
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.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.

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, May 28, 2014

Musivate Predicts the Ukulele Could Transform the Face of Corporate Team Building

Music may factor in very few board meetings but it could be a new and crucial ingredient to corporate success according to one teacher who is setting out to change the face of team building forever.
Ukulele teacher, Lorraine Bow has taught several thousand people to play the Hawaiian instrument, including TV presenters Ant and Dec. She founded Musivate to bring people together through music, reasoning that those who make music together cannot be enemies.
Ms Bow said, “Team building as a concept is an incredible tool for managers and stakeholders looking to motivate staff, build closer bonds between colleagues and increase collaboration, productivity and ultimately profitability. But, many CEOs and employees alike feel a sense of dread at the very mention of the word.”
Musivate’s use of the Uke to bring corporate teams together is totally unique. Already finding favour with household names like Google, Comic Relief and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, Musivate is helping brands around the country realise that there is a new, more modern face to team building.
“We’re determined to challenge the outdated notions of team building and have created a truly enjoyable, proven method of building teams using the Uke – it is a novel approach and a marked departure from traditional exercises but the results are genuinely exceptional,” added Bow. “Learning to play an instrument such as the Ukulele is fun and inclusive. It’s a really enjoyable way to spend time and engages participants like few other forms of team building do.”
Easier than most instruments to learn, Ukulele team building participants can be making music together in one hour, giving an immediate return and sense of achievement. The skills learned relate back to the work environment and can help create a more sharing culture of enjoyment that also performs a purpose.
The string instrument actually disguises a range of team building powers. In each Musivate session, the use of the Ukulele means that participants have to listen to each other and work together. The act of music learning also stimulates creativity and can help to break down barriers. By the end of the session, participants are able to play at least one song and can receive a music video to keep the community and team spirit alive long after the event itself.
Musivate have also turned their concept into conference icebreakers and refreshers. Acting as an unexpected and fun way to break up the day, a Ukulele icebreaker or refresher can keep delegates on their toes between presentations and key note speeches, ensuring everyone is involved and paying attention to get the most from the day.
Ms Bow said, “It's always difficult for conference organisers and event managers to keep the attention of their audience and ensure that delegates are absorbing and retaining information. Musivate helps out with a short burst of musical activity that can serve to break the ice with new colleagues or distant colleagues, banishing awkward small talk from the day. The change of pace can also reenergize attendees and help them to refocus so they get more from the main event.”
To find out more, visit http://www.musivate.com

2 comments :

Anonymous said...

So Lance,
when can our team of writers on this blog begin our ukelele lessons for team building, or would you prefer us to use banjos?

Lance said...

Banjos at dawn on the Town Moor.

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