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

Thursday, April 09, 2015

CD Review: Babelfish - Chasing Rainbows

Brigitte Beraha (vcl); Barry Green (pno); Chris Laurence (bs); Paul Clarvis (perc).
(Review by Lance).
Brigitte Beraha, it would appear, has been round the block a few times - her CV includes commendations from Dame Cleo and the late Sir John, two folk who know/knew a thing or two. John Fordham also gave her the thumbs up 2/3 yearsback. Our dear friend Sebastian Scotney tells me of the high regard Babelfish is held in UK jazz circles and it far beholds me to disagree.
How could I? This is quite a momentous recording!
Beraha has an amazing range that she uses creatively rather than for mere effect although effective it certainly is. The blurb makes comparisions with Norma Winstone and this singer is up  there in that league.
And what a choice of material - not a Gasser among them - instead we have originals by the lady herself and pianist Green - Steve Lacy, Aaron Copland, Fred Chopin, Yeats and Benjie Britton are also in there.
Birgette's Confusion is indeed that! Your Turn to Ask is Lacy's take on Monk's Ask Me Now. You want WOW! - you got it!
My apologies if  I've given the impression that this is a one woman show - BB does dominate but Barry Green's piano should not be overlooked. Barry, from, I think, Teesside, is an ace accompanist and most times when I've been to the Spice of Life in Soho Barry has been the power behind the performers. He also provided solid support for Sarah Ellen Hughes when Sarah was treading the jazz boards (How are you doing these days Sarah?)
Laurence and Clavis do there bit.
Quite a voice! Quite a band!
Superb!
Lance.
Babelfish - Chasing Rainbows released on Moletone Records (006) on April 27.
CD Launch @ Pizza Express, Dean St., London on April 21.

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