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, June 05, 2015

Ashington Jazz Club Celebrating Thirty Years Of Wonderful Music.

James Harrison (keyboard), Anthony Ord (bass), Tom Chapman (drums) and  Ray Dales (alto saxophone). (Review/photo by Peter S).
Ashington Jazz club was born in June of 1985 when a group of enthusiasts decided to meet on a monthly basis to listen to the music we love and so the dream began at the North Seaton Hotel now known as the Elephant.  No one could have believed then that 30 years on the Club would still be attracting great musicians to the town. To celebrate the achievement John Taylor suggested a mini Jazz Festival at locations across the town. With support from Ashington Council and with the direction and drive from John the Festival became a reality.
It was appropriate to arrange the first event at the AJC on the regular first Wednesday of the month of June. The James Harrison Trio accepted the invitation and introduced Saxophonist Ray Dales on his first visit. Never let it be said that in Jazz Music there is a shortage of respect among the young for the older generation of musicians. Throughout the development of the music there have been many small groups who have made an everlasting mark in influencing styles and tastes. To name but a few the small Goodman groups, Brubeck, M.J.Q., Shearing, Peterson, Manhatten Transfer and Davis all inspired positive responses from the listening public. There are many more we admire and applaud.
The James Harrison Trio – a collective of very young musicians have formed a good working relationship with Ray, 50+ years older and a blend of music like rum and coke. The respect for each other is evident and the joy of working together produced an exciting musical evening for all.  The quartet exploded onto our stage attacking the music with a grand opening tune. From that moment onwards the experience reverberated throughout the evening with excitement, crescendos and amazing improvisations. The participation of all the musicians in the most technical and lyrical compositions was breath taking. The energy and joy of performance was written on their faces and on behalf of AJC I applaud your contribution to a memorable evening for our CLUB.
Music – Secret Love, Summer Samba (so nice), There’ll Never be Another you, My Foolish Heart, Four, Sunny, That’s All, Misty, Our Day Will Come, Southern Samba, Blue Monk, St. Thomas, Cherokee.
Peter S.
Next Meeting Wednesday July 1st. At 8.00 p.m.   See you there.   

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