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: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
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

Monday, February 02, 2015

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Red House Farm, Monkseaton. Feb 1

Peter Wright (trumpet) ,Paul Gowland (tenor saxophone), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Bill Colledge (bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals) + John Broddle (vocals.)
(Review by Russell/photo by Kath.)
The timeless Vieux Carré Jazzmen (a significant milestone is reached in April – Bebop Spoken Here will have more on this nearer the time), have established a well-supported pub gig at the coast on the first Sunday in the month at the Red House Farm. A housing estate hostelry, the Vieux Carré’s Sunday evening audience is drawn from a dedicated, knowledgeable fan base and Monkseaton locals.
Four reasons to seek out the Red House Farm:1) Nice pub 2) Nice people 3) Decent beer 4) Good New Orleans/Dixeland jazz. Arriving at eight o’clock proved to be a very good move – the pub has a two for the price of one ‘happy hour’ between eight and nine. The barmaid said: ‘Would you like two pints?’ Silly question, really! A regular got his order in and lined them up on the table – all EIGHT of them! ‘Do as the natives do’, they say. Three trips to the bar before nine (3 x 2 = 6) seemed like a reasonable effort. One or two of the Vieux Carré also did their bit to help the ‘jazz economy.’
Fred Thompson sang On the Sunny Side of the Street with Peter Wright providing typical strong lead trumpet and tenor man Paul Gowland winning applause (as he did throughout the evening). New Orleans trombone specialist Lawrence McBriarty knocked-out his to be expected quality solo (the first of several) and the rhythm section worked away in the shadows (Brian Bennett, Bill Colledge and Fred Thompson). East Coast Trot then When You Wore a Tulip were second set highlights and John Broddle joined the band between one of several trips to the bar. The Vieux Carré Jazzmen’s March date (Sunday 1st) will once again feature Peter Wright. A post-gig pint with Paul Gowland led to the subject of one of the great alto players on the local scene – the late, great Nigel Stanger. If anyone who heard Stanger play would care to post a comment as to the man’s abilities, please do so. Mr Stanger was no mean Hammond player either!   
Russell

1 comment :

Brian said...

Thanks for that, Russell! Seems you really enjoyed your Sunday evening at the coast. Wainwright's or Cumberland? Both, maybe?
Hope you found your way home ok!

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