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, October 14, 2016

Seven days and counting…

(Preview by Russell).
Until the return of Vasilis Xenopoulos! Master tenor saxophonist Xenopoulos will be at the Traveller’s Rest on West Auckland Road in Darlington a week today, Friday 21st. A whistle stop tour (Darlington, two dates in Cumbria, then Blaydon) reunites Xenopoulos with pianist Paul Edis. Friends since working together in London, Vasi makes an annual visit to the region never failing to wow audiences with his swinging tenor playing. A gig with Paul Edis, bassist Andy Champion and Russ Morgan, drums, is an occasion no one should miss.

So, you have not one, but two opportunities to hear Xenopoulos in action. First at Opus 4 Jazz Club at the Traveller’s Rest, then on Sunday 23rd at the Black Bull, Blaydon. They are pay on the door gigs but the best advice is to arrive early. Pitch the tent midweek and that should just about guarantee admission, although others ahead of you in the queue are sure to bag the seats. Darlington and Blaydon will be standing-room-only affairs with the clubs’ regulars operating a three line whip. Doors at Darlington will open at eight o’clock with the first set starting at 8:30. At Blaydon the first set gets under way at eight.
Tynesiders heading to Darlington by train should head to Tubwell Row to catch a bus out to Cockerton (Traveller’s Rest). Late trains to Newcastle run either side of midnight. The Black Bull gig is easily accessible from Newcastle. The 10A (6:40pm), and 12 (6:45pm) from Eldon Square Bus Station will get you there in good time to grab a seat and there is a reliable, convenient last bus at 10:55 arriving Clayton Street West at five past eleven. A Bebop Spoken Here Gold Star Award awaits those who make Darlington and Blaydon!       

Russell.        

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