Bebop Spoken There

Ethan Hawke (starring as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon): ''Larry [Lorenz] Hart would be so happy that his music and his words and his poetry are still alive.'' - The Northern Echo 27 November 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

18000 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 964 of them this year alone and, so far, 73 this month (Nov. 24).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sat 06: Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 06: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Minor Swing. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 06: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 06: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £3.76 (inc. bf).
Sat 06: Kaberry Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £15.00. (inc. hot buffet). ‘Christmas 1945’. Kaberry Big Band, formerly Vermont Big Band.
Sat 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ Platform 1, Bedlington. 7:30pm. £6.00. Rhythm & blues.
Sat 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00. Xmas Party with buffet.
Sat 06: The Jive Aces @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 8:00pm. £22.00., £20.00.
Sat 06: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 07: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. special guest Donna Hewitt (sax, clarinet).
Sun 07: Finn-Keeble Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 07: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 07: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 07: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Trio + Ruth Lambert.
Sun 07: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 07: Jason Isaacs Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 5:15pm (4:00pm doors). £21.50 (inc. bf).
Sun 07: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 07: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Support set from Play More Jazz! course participants. Note earlier start.

Mon 08: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 09: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm

Wed 10: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 10: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Mike Lindup Jazz Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £26.50 (inc. bf). Lindup, Yolanda Charles (bass), John Sam (drums).
Wed 10: Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £12.00.

Thu 11: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: West Coast (cool ) / Wordsearch (cool) Cool Jazz or ‘Cold’, ‘Cool’, ‘Hot’, ‘Warm’ in the title or lyrics.
Thu 11: George Robinson @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £5.42 (inc. bf). Vienna’s Voice charity evening featuring ’15 year old singing sensation the ‘Redcar Crooner’ George Robinson’. Over 35s only.
Thu 11: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. back tapes.
Thu 11: Ransom Van @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 11: Down for the Count Swing Orchestra @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:30pm. £37.70 (inc. bf). ‘Swing into Xmas’.

Fri 12: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 12: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ Northumberland Club, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £15.00. ‘Xmas Soiree’.
Fri 12: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00. Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax); Matthew Forster (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flute, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone);Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 12: Tony Hadley: Xmas Big Band Tour 2025 @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Fri 12: Alexia Gardner @ The New Ship Inn, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. 8:00pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy, Abbie Finn.
Fri 12: Jive Aces: Swingin’ Xmas Show @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 8:00pm.

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.

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