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

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 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.

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

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Something for everyone at Newcastle Jazz and Blues

I was so excited when I received the following press release. However my enthusiasm was somewhat dampened after I read the first sentence... 
Over 75 live bands will take over a town centre this weekend to show off their talents in the Newcastle-under-Lyme Jazz & Blues Festival.
This year there are quality acts from around the UK and even as far afield as Greece and the USA, amid a hand-picked selection of the best local talent.
The gigs will take place over the bank holiday weekend in 17 venues across town and most are free entry. This year gigs will take place in locations you would less expect – such as the market square on Saturday at 12pm, and the Roebuck Shopping Centre lobby, as well as people’s favourite venues around town.
But the event is not just for music fanatics. There will be plenty for people of all walks of life and the whole family to enjoy. On Sunday there will be a craft and artisan market featuring a host of handmade and specialist products, as well as funfair rides for the kids and the chance to join in free ‘jitterbug’ dance workshops at the Missoula bar at 3pm.
And on bank holiday Monday, there will be a charity market and fun day with a host of stalls and fun activities to entertain the family.
Town Centre Manager Matt Taylor said:
“The Town Centre Partnership has worked with licensees to make this a really great event, with a programme which is genuinely packed with quality jazz and blues.
“From the second the festival kicks off with the Remi Harris Trio through to when The Funkbreakers play the final slot, there is a non-stop line-up of talent which just should not be missed by music fans.
“There are also a few performances which blur the edges of the genre to keep everyone happy, although this year we have taken the festival back to its Jazz and Blues theme on the whole”.
To help bring in new talent from further afield and broaden the horizons of the festival, the Town Centre Partnership has also been working with Big Bear Music which is responsible for the Birmingham Jazz and Blues festival. Representative from Big Bear Music Jim Simpson said:
“Birmingham Jazz Festival is now in its 30th year and it is a pleasure to bring some of what we have learned to help Newcastle deliver such a fantastic event.
“We are very much looking forward to enjoying what can only be described as a great programme in action in the town’s venues this weekend”.
Newcastle Borough council is also supporting the event with free parking on all council car parks and on-street charging zones over the Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For the full festival guide, go to www.newcastlejazzandblues.co.uk 
Maybe next year we can substitute "under-Lyme" with "upon-Tyne"?
Lance.

1 comment :

Jim Fay (on F/b) said...

Ooops!

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