Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. 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

Monday, August 18, 2014

A Celebration of Chris Hodgkins’ 29 years as Director of Jazz Services at PizzaExpress Jazz Club Tuesday August 26 doors 7pm, £15 - CHRIS HODGKINS QUARTET

Chris Hodgkins (tp), Diane McLoughlin (ss/as), Max Brittain (gt), Alison Rayner (bs)
plus Special Guests
Henry Lowther (tp); Christine Tobin (vc); Andrea Vicari (pn); Sophie Alloway (dm); Charlotte Glasson (ts); Juliet Kelly (vc)
In May 2014 Chris Hodgkins retired after 29 years as Director of Jazz Services, the UK’s national support organisation for jazz. Chris is a fine trumpeter and composer in his own right as well as being a tireless champion for British jazz. For this very special night Chris celebrates his long career as a leading advocate for jazz with a stellar line-up of top UK musicians.
In Chris’ regular Quartet he is joined by three top jazz musicians who are talented composers in their own right – saxophonist Diane McLoughlin, guitarist Max Brittain and bass player Alison Rayner. For this special show the Quartet is joined by several special guests representing some of the finest UK jazz musicians:
Christine Tobin – a multi-award winning jazz singer celebrated for her own songwriting as well as her acclaimed interpretations of songs by Leonard Cohen and Carole King.
Juliet Kelly – Singer and songwriter described by Jazzwise magazine as “an original talent rare amongst those who would call themselves jazz singers”
Henry Lowther – a true legend of British jazz, who can be heard on classic albums by Kenny Wheeler, Mike Gibbs and Brian Ferry, as well as in his own bands.
Charlotte Glasson – award-winning multi-instrumentalist who has worked with everyone from Oasis and The Divine Comedy to Will Gaines and Claire Martin.
Andrea Vicari – pianist, composer and renowned educator, described in the Penguin Rough Guide to Jazz as “one of the most brilliant young jazz musicians in the UK - an outstanding pianist and superbly fertile composer”
Sophie Alloway – a rising star of British Jazz. She has worked with Roots Manuva, played at Glastonbury and Bestival, appeared on Later with Jools Holland and is a member of the Lydian Collective.
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RW
Bookings: 020 7439 4962 / www.pizzaexpresslive.com

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