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

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Thomas Brown Affair @ Hoochie Coochie July 25.

Kenny Thomas (vcl); Wayne Brown (keys); Frank Felix (bs); Sophie Alloway (dms).
(Review by Lance).
"It's not Jazz" said Warren as I propped myself up against a tall table. It was a sell out gig and high chairs had been removed to allow the audience space to breathe. A guy built like a BSH positioned himself in front of me so I relocated to a spot nearer the stage albeit further from the bar!
As Warren said, it wasn't jazz. It was Soul, Funk, Rock it was... hang about, weren't Soul, Funk and Rock genres that had their roots in Jazz? 
If it wasn't Jazz, well, it was close enough for me and the London Jazz Festival where The Thomas Brown Affair (Wayne Brown, Kenny Thomas - get it?) are playing  on November 21.
More importantly, tonight they took Hoochie apart!
Despite still being in recovery from health problems, Wayne Brown played fine piano with more than a hint of Ramsay Lewis. His feature on Ain't no Sunshine - mint!
Buddy Rich wasn't the best looking drummer I ever saw - Sophie Alloway most certainly is! Cool and laid back the attractive, long haired blonde kept everything swinging and rocking and her solo (was it on River in the Sky?) showed why she's one of the most in demand players on the London scene. 
On bass guitar, FF was FF without being ff!
Of course, for the majority, KT was the main attraction and he drew many "Oos" and "Aahs" from the female fans.
He's got a good voice and put over the material, which included rock classics such as He Ain't Heavy, How Sweet it is, The Moon and New York City, Overjoyed, Just the Way You Are and a soulful Georgia on my Mind, brilliantly.
If Scotland votes "Yes" let's hope Warren doesn't get deported!
Great night.
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive