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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Thu 29: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 35s only. Rescheduled from December 4th.
Thu 29: Oh No Noh + Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £16.45., £13.28., £12.22., £9.04. Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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: TBC.
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.

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.


No comments :

Blog Archive