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, October 31, 2016

CD Review: Ingrid and Christine Jensen – Infinitude

Ingrid Jensen (trumpet, effects & kalimba), Christine Jensen (alto & soprano saxophones), Ben Monder (electric guitar & hammertone guitar), Fraser Hollins (acoustic bass) & Jon Wikan (drums)
(Review by Russell)
The Jensen sisters have previously worked in small group settings and written for larger jazz ensembles. Infinitude – the concept of boundless possibility – is the Canadians’ CD recording debut for Whirlwind Recordings. Ten tracks, five written by Christine Jensen, three by her younger sibling Ingrid, one by guitarist Ben Monder, and the most welcome inclusion of Old Time composed by ex-pat Canadian, the late Kenny Wheeler, this is an album of fine writing and sublime musicianship.

The quintet – the Jensens, bassist Fraser Hollins, drummer Jon Wikan and guitarist Ben Monder – have close personal ties and working relationships: trumpeter Ingrid and Jon Wikan a married couple, the Jensens and Ben Monder a shared experience in the music making of Paul Motian and Maria Schneider. The playing on this new Whirlwind album is that of listening, schooled section players, their solo contributions subservient to their collective endeavour. Christine Jensen’s Blue Yonder and Swirlaround open the CD with the composer heard playing alto saxophone on the former and soprano on the latter. The muted trumpet of Ingrid sets the mood for Monder’s beautifully judged guitar playing on Swirlaround underpinned by Wikan’s deep groove.
Monder’s Echolalia hears Ingrid’s free-flowing trumpet, Christine Jensen’s Octofolk is a conversation piece between the composer (alto) and Monder (guitar) and Duo Space frees Ingrid Jensen to explore an echoing, distant dreamscape. Margareta engages a restrained swing time feel; Christine (alto) solos, then Ingrid, and late into the piece comes Monder with another outstanding contribution. Closing the recording is Ingrid Jensen’s Dots and Braids; Lyrical, languid, masterful playing by the quintet.                         
Russell.

Infinitude by Ingrid and Christine Jensen is available now on Whirlwind Recordings (WR4994).      
at

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