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

Friday, September 30, 2016

The return of Daniel John Martin!

(Preview by Russell)
Earlier this year Djangologist Mick Shoulder put together a short tour of northern venues working with Daniel John Martin. The County Durham-based Shoulder was taking a new venture on the road – Swing Manouche – and the opportunity to share a stage with Martin wasn’t one to be spurned. Swing Manouche goes from strength to strength and once more DJM will link up with Shoulder, Giles Strong, guitar, and Paul Susans, double bass.
 A run of three dates in the northeast will see Paris-based Martin entertain audiences in an archway, a café and a rural music centre. The violin virtuoso will renew acquaintance in a Gateshead speakeasy with Shoulder on Tuesday (4 October). Prohibition Bar is all things decadent; a converted railway arch space located at the Gateshead end of the Tyne Bridge exudes ‘Jazz Age’ chic. Its discreet entrance belies the 1920s’ delights hidden therein. At eight o’clock sharp guitarists Shoulder and Strong will set the rhythm. Martin will amaze those hearing him for the first time – ‘virtuoso’ scarcely does him justice. An ‘entertainer’, that’s DJM. A brilliant violinist, a singer too, and, perhaps, a whistled tune or two!
Mick Shoulder is known to many as being a fine bass player (Djangology, Paul Edis Trio and Sextet, small group, big band and more), Swing Manouche features Shoulder playing guitar alongside Giles Strong, with double bass-playing duties undertaken by another top class musician, Mr Paul Susans. Mitch Mitchell’s Prohibition Bar is likely to be busy, so, to be sure of your seat, arrive early. The Manouche caravan will wind its way into Bishop Auckland on Wednesday for a gig in the Town Hall’s comfortable café/bar. The Market Place venue should attract jazz fans from across County Durham and beyond. Tickets are available from 03000 269524. The following day DJM and Swing Manouche pitch-up in Hexham to play a set for Core Music based right in the heart of the market town at 14a/b Gilesgate.
(Also Blenkinsopp Castle nr. Haltwhistle on October 8 - see comments)
Three dates, be sure to get along to at least one of them. Daniel John Martin enjoys a high reputation in France, working regularly in prestigious Paris clubs. This short tour offers a rare chance to hear up close Manouche Hot Club and subsequent musical developments – a guaranteed (revelatory) night out!
Russell.                            

2 comments :

Patti D (on F/b) said...

Shame it clashes with the Jam Sesh at the JC - but then we don't know when he'll be back up in the North East! I'm going for sure .....

Mick Shoulder said...

There's a fourth date been added. Saturday October 8th at the Blenkinsop Castle Inn near Haltwhistle. Tickets via them - www.blenkinsoppcastleinn.co.uk

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