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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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.

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

Saturday, November 05, 2016

The Paul James Band Bring Their Great American Songbook ‘Sisters Of Swing’ Show To Sage Gateshead

(Press release)
Kick-start Christmas with glamour and swing – plus a chance to win free tickets.
A North East band who’ve performed around the world as well as for stars including Alan Shearer and Ant and Dec are bringing their unique swing show to Sage Gateshead this Christmas.
The Great American Songbook ‘Sisters of Swing’ event on 1 December promises to be a glamorously entertaining night, guaranteed to kick-start the festive season in style.
Laura Adams and The Paul James Band have already taken the glitzy show around the globe and now they can’t wait to present it to their fellow Geordies.
The ‘Sisters Of Swing’ show is a tribute to the inspiring ladies who left a legacy of great swing music including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee and Nina Simone and features Great American Songbook classics such as ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’, ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘At Last’.
Laura and the band will also be swinging into Christmas with festive favourites such as ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, ‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’.
Lead singer Laura said: “I was born and raised in the North East, so to sing at this amazing venue is a really big deal for me. We’ll be aiming to create some real magic to kick start the festive season in style.”
Laura has enchanted audiences on board cruise ships, in theatres and at top venues across the UK.   She’s also performed at celebrity weddings and high-profile charity balls with clients including Ant and Dec, Marco Pierre White, Anton du Beke and Alan Shearer.
She added: “We’ve been lucky enough to perform at some fantastic events over the years, and performing at Sage Gateshead is going to be a real highlight too. We can’t wait.”
To see a preview of the show, visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pauljamesband.
WIN FREE TICKETS
The band is offering a pair of free tickets to one lucky reader. To be in with a chance of winning, email your name and telephone number to info@pauljamesband.co.uk or ‘Share’ and ‘Like’ the band’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/pauljamesband before Monday 21 November.
To book tickets, visit www.sagegateshead.com or call the Ticket Office on (0191) 443 4661
Proceeds from the night will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

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