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

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Stedman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

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.

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, November 10, 2014

Am Jam @ The Globe. November 9

(Review by Russell).
Newcastle won. Time to head for the Globe. Taking the stairs (the recently installed lift didn’t seem to be working), that was the unmistakable sound of Fly Me to the Moon. As last month, Keith (guitar) lead the second Sunday in the month Am Jam session.
Three tenors (one doubling effectively on flute), a second guitarist, bass and drums. The tunes much the same as last time (the pad will develop over time); Blue Bossa, All of Me (the impressive Julie singing this one), Nica’s Dream with Fiona cruising on vocals, then Minnie sang Lullaby of Birdland. The heating on, the place seemed welcoming! Curtains hung since last time, things are taking shape. A few more listeners too. Take the A Train (Julie and Patrick’s sister vocals), Groovin’ High, then Patrick himself took the floor. He had recently written a poem a matter of days before marrying his third and last (current?) wife. He read it – For Whom the Scribe Scrolls. Ann arrived (late) and could hardly wait to reprise Fly Me to the Moon.
The band went for Billie’s Bounce (more work required on this one), then ‘up for it’ took on Pentup House. They took a second stab at it – Sonny Rollins won’t be losing any sleep over it! Julie returned to sing Satin Doll (good brushes from Alan) and that was about it.
Am Jam is a friendly, welcoming session. It isn’t a cutting contest. The least experienced players will receive a friendly welcome in a supportive environment. In two weeks’ time (Sunday 23, 3:00pm) Stuart Finden will lead the More Jam session (for ‘More’ best think ‘more advanced’), then Am Jam returns on Sunday 14 December, 3:00pm. All welcome.              
Russell. 

4 comments :

Jazz Co-op (On F/b). said...

Thank you Russell for nice review of our 'friendly, welcoming jam session'. And the lift is definitely working!

Minnie said...

Actually, I think we did forget to switch the lift on on Sunday - so sorry about that! We will remember in future!

Anonymous said...

From Ann Alex, I didn't even know they'd already done 'Fly Me to The Moon'. That's what you get for being late, but I was at a family do! Can't wait to try the lift next time!

Lance said...

Anonymous Ann Alex (AAA) - why weren't you at the Kate Daniels gig at Lit & Phil? You'd have had your singing batteries charged tonight! You could also dig Ruth at Caff tomorrow.

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