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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Monday, September 28, 2015

Jason Isaacs @ Bonbar, Newcastle - Sept. 27

Jason Isaacs (vcl/ten); Darren Irwin, Mark Webb (tpt); Dave Brock (tmb); Ray Dales (alt/fl); Lewis Watson (ten/fl); Stu Collingwood (keys); Neil Harland (bs gtr); Simon Ferry (dms).
(Review by Lance).
I'm running out of superlatives when it comes to Jason and the guys! As ever, the show moved along at a fast pace, the five horns sounding like fifteen, the rhythm section booting it like Basie and our man re-elected as King of the Swingers. And swing he did! Whether strutting on stage or boogieing on top of the bar, blowing tenor or telling awful jokes, he had the audience enthralled. The choicest of songs (apart from a certain Gershwin number) made this listener's night complete.
The songs: Lady is a Tramp; Ain't That a Kick in the Head; Mr Bojangles; Beyond the Sea; Come Fly with me; Why Don't You Do Right?; Cheek to Cheek; Summertime; One For my Baby; That's Life; Moon River; Minnie the Moocher; American Trilogy; Mack the Knife;
And that was just the first set!
Leroy Brown; Feelin' Good; It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't got That Swing). During this latter number the bartender mixed cocktails, throwing the shaker in the air and catching it, in perfect time to the music. Time for a Moon Dance and, as at another venue in the city, the dancers crowded the floor. Sway then the sax battle with Lewis on You're Indestructible followed by solo sax from Jayboy on Blue Monk. "A tune by Thelonious Monk" announced Jason leaving the younger element looking bemused! Can't Take my Eyes Off You; Suspicious Minds; Jump Jive; My Way and the inevitable New York, New York.
It had been quite a night.
Great music, good food and good company in the form of Coram and Evelyn - nice meeting you.
Lance.






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