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

Friday, April 03, 2015

CD Review: Paul Riley Quintet - Into View

Paul Riley (alt/sop); Ant Law (gtr); Mitch Jones (pno); Matt Ridley (bs); Dave Hamblett (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Paul Riley, described by Russell van den Berg, as "a sheer joy to listen to, and a sleeping giant" has, until now, been off my radar. 
Not any longer!
A sleeping giant probably is an apt description as this, his debut album, indicates that while he may not - yet - be Goliath he's certainly no midget!
Very much a part of the London scene, Riley is no mere follower of fashion but a lyrical and innovative player producing music that compels you to listen without jarring the senses like some of the current crop of angry young men do.
Don't get me wrong! This is the UK jazz of today and it swings (if that isn't a dirty word these days) in the sense that the pulse is never far away - albeit not where it used to be!
Eleven compositions by Riley that, whilst they may never have lyrics added to them. do have a sense of form. The ballads - Song for Laura and Looking Back - could, just by their titles, prove the exception. Gorgeous to hear such lyrical playing in this often harsh musical world.
With Ant Law blowing unison guitar on many of the 'heads' you quickly realise that this is a band who share a mutual empathy. Ant's solos indicate why he is held in such high regard by many and Riley surely couldn't have wished for a better partner to blow alongside and, maybe, buy the beers after the session.
The rhythm section keep the frontliners in check and this contributes to an overall CD that could be the dark horse in this month's choice!
The band's tour, starts at Ashburton (April 12); then St. Ives (April 14) - a couple of weeks to chill out from their hectic schedule before heading up to NEWCASTLE for a gig at the Lit and Phil (April 27). After that it's all downhill to Liverpool (28); Bournemouth (29); Poole (30) and Bristol (May 1)
Catch them at one or all of them!
Lance.
The CD: Paul Riley Quintet - Into View is available from April 6. for further info visit www.jellymouldjazz.net. 
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