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

Thu 18: Paul Skerritt @ YOLO, Ponteland. 7:00pm. ‘Swing & Jazz Night’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 18: Joe Steels & Friends @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:30pm. Free (donations).

Fri 19: Fraser Urquhart @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! .
Fri 19: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00..
Fri 19: Castillo Nuevo @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:00pm. Free. .
Fri 19: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy..
Fri 19: Paul Skerritt @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes. .
Fri 19: Giles Strong Quartet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club..
Fri 19: Creakin’ Bones & the Xmas Dinners @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £13.01 (inc. bf)..
Fri 19: Mark Toomey Quintet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.

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.

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