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

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: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
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: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.

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, July 05, 2015

Blaydon Jazz Club Update

Here is the program for the rest of the year. I think this year’s set of concerts is maybe the nicest we've ever had.
You can also get the detail on the Black Bull website (lots of other nice activities at this lovely pub too)
http://www.blackbull-blaydon.co.uk/
Roly
TONIGHT!
Sunday 5th July - 8pm - £5.00 (EXTRA DATE)
Colin Aitchison tpt, Franco Valussi clt, Steve Andrews sax + Rhythm
An extra Blaydon date featuring Hong Kong ex-pat Geordie Colin Aitchison (a Satchmo styled trumpeter), Benny Goodman styled Italian clarinetist Franco Valussi, both over here for a short visit, and our own great Hawkins styled tenor sax man Steve Andrews.

Sunday 19th July - 8pm - £5.00
Ruth Lambert Trio
Ruth is one of the region's finest and most experienced jazz singers. From solo (with her guitar) to small group to big band - she can do it all. Here she is with her new trio featuring two great north east musicians - Giles Strong on guitar and Mick Shoulder on double bass.
Sunday 16th August - 8pm - £5.00
Paul Edis Trio play music associated with Duke Ellington
Pianist Paul Edis is deservedly acquiring a national profile. A wonderful young player! For this concert his trio explores music associated with one of the seminal jazz artists - Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington.
Sunday 6th September - 8pm - £5.00 (EXTRA DATE)
James Birkett / Bradley Johnston Jazz Guitar Duo
Bradley Johnson is a young guitarist who is gaining quite a reputation. Over the past few years his playing has progressed remarkably due to a combination of natural talent and dedication. In September we feature him in two settings. This date with his mentor James Birkett with a selection of repertoire across the spectrum of jazz guitar through the ages.
Sunday 20th September - 8pm - £5.00
The Bradley Johnston Quartet
Brad's second September date at Blaydon features his new quartet with some fine local jazz musicians - pianist Pete Gilligan, bassist Paul Grainger and drummer Tim Johnston.
Sunday 25th October - 8pm - £6.00 (NOTE - THIS IS A WEEK LATER THAN OUR USUAL MONTHLY DATE)
Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet

He's back! The wonderful tenor sax player - warm toned, lyrical and exhilarating. Vas is supported by three of the region's finest - Paul piano, Andy Champion bass and Russ Morgan drums.
Sunday 15th November - 8pm - £5.00
Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio plus singer Caroline Irwin
A return visit by Django styled guitarist Keith Stephen with the great slap bass player Bruce Rollo and Roly Veitch rhythm gtr. And of course the vivacious Caroline Irwin vocals and uke.
Sunday 6th December - 8pm - £8.00 (EXTRA DATE)
New Century Ragtime Orchestra

A first visit to Blaydon by this unique ensemble. A 12 piece band playing with great flair and musicianship the early dance and ragtime music of the jazz age. Fronted by the masterful and witty reedman Steve Andrews and featuring the delightful, 'naughty but nice' singing of Caroline Irwin.
Sunday 20th December - 8pm - £5.00
Christmas Concert with DIY buffet
BB Trio with guest James Birkett gtr
 (BB Trio - Jeremy McMurray pno, Neil Harland bass, Roly Veitch gtr)
Great Teeside pianist Jeremy joins master guitarist James Birkett, bass player Neil Harland and Blaydon's own Roly Veitch for an evening of the Great American Songbook. As is the custom we ask everyone to bring some small item of food to contribute to the grand buffet.

No comments :

Blog Archive