Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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, June 28, 2015

Book now for weekend workshop 1-2 August at the Globe, Newcastle upon Tyne

Here's a good opportunity for anyone who plays a bit of jazz and wants to get better ... a whole weekend of listening and playing in the company of others who want to learn and improve jazz skills.
The weekend workshop has been developed following the success of our monthly Play Jazz! afternoon workshops held at Sage Gateshead. The weekend format will give participants the time and space to learn more and develop further. There’s also a great gig on the Saturday night and the opportunity to jam with professional musicians.
The tutors are James Birkett and Judith Thompson, two superb musicians and highly respected jazz educators.
The workshop is suitable for all instruments and a range of abilities. Vocalists are welcome. Minimum age 16.
For much of the weekend the participants will be divided into two groups – beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced. You’ll be able to improvise and interact with other musicians in an informal supportive situation.
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Saturday 1 August
9.30am        Registration and introductions
10am           Session 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Jazz
This session will cover the essential elements of jazz and aims to up your skills and knowledge. It’s available at two levels: Beginner/Intermediate and Intermediate/Advanced.
1pm             Lunch
2pm             Session 2: The Art of Making Jazz – Band Call
This session will cover the art and artistry of playing jazz with other people using well-known standards as a starting point. There will be two groups based on an equal split of instruments/participants to give two well-balanced bands.
5-7.30pm      Evening meal
Go out to eat locally with your band members. A list of nearby eateries will be available.
7.30-11pm   Gig and jam session
Performance by Williams – Tanton Quartet and a supportive and instructive jam session. A great opportunity to listen to and play with regular gigging musicians.
Sunday 2 August
9.30am         Welcome back
10am            Session 3: More Nuts and Bolts
This session will continue to present the essential elements of jazz and build your skills and knowledge. Again it’s available at two levels: Beginner/Intermediate and Intermediate/Advanced.
1pm              Lunch
2pm              Session 4: Taking Control – Band Call
Continuing from yesterday’s Band Call session, participants will arrange tunes ready for performance. There will be opportunities to write new music. The emphasis will be on the band members giving the band direction and focus with tutor guidance and input when necessary.
4.30pm        Performance
A performance by each band to the other
5pm             Thank you and goodbye
PRICES
The weekend workshop costs £82. This includes all tuition and free admission to the Jazz.Coop gig on Saturday evening featuring the Williams – Tanton Quartet.
There is an additional optional charge of £16 for the provision of two buffet lunches and tea/coffee breaks.
Overnight accommodation is not included.
To book
Places are limited so please book now.
For more information and bookings please email learning@jazz.coop and tell us what instrument you will be bringing.
We’ll email you with details of how to pay.


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