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

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Alter Ego @ Ashington Jazz Club Jan. 7

Keith Robinson (alt);  Niall Armstrong (ten/fl);  Dave Hignett (tpt/flg);  Andrew Hawking (keys); Tony Abell (bs); Dave Francis (dms).
The attraction for me as a Jazz fan for almost 65 years is not only the music but also the manner in which it has evolved and developed over time and the creativity of the musicians who have pursued their ideas in changing the direction of the music. Each trend and style has appealed to many  who have adopted each innovation to their particular taste, whether this  be classic, swing, bebop, trad. modern or whatever label is put on it. This has been good for the music and given variety to the followers. The colourful and often crazy life styles of the musicians has also been of great interest.
With this in mind, we at the AJC have attempted over the years to provide variety on our stage for the members by introducing them to the variable forms.
Therefore, to open our New Year season the Alter Ego Sextet returned to our town to replicate the music of West Coast Jazz which was recreated with some style. The combo was a well oiled unit and gave an energetic and dynamic show of great arrangements interspersed with some disciplined  interplay and instrumental harmonies cleverly constructed. Art Blakey's Messengers would have been amazed by the skills and techniques of these admirable North East tribute guys. They gave us an evening to remember and a flavour of one of the acceptable diversions of the History of Jazz. A great little BIG Band.
PROGRAMME....Roll Call, In Walked Horace, Beatitudes, The Perpetrator, Grants Tune, Blues March, Wheel within a Wheel, Hit and Run, Coastal Breeze, Budini, Undertone, Karita, Mustard Mash, Sudden Samba,  A Bittadose.
NEXT MEETING AT THE AJC AT THE ELEPHANT ON FEBRUARY 4. AT 8.00 p.m.
                                           THE PAUL SKERRITT BAND.
See you there.
Peter S,

No comments :

Blog Archive