Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Charlie Parker was my introduction to the religion of music. And so he's always with me .'' - Downbeat November 2025.

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

17950 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 914 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Nov. 7).

From This Moment On ...

November

Sat 08: Durham Alumni Big Band @ Number One Bar, Darlington. 12 noon. Free.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm.

Sun 09: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free. RESCHEDULED TO NOV. 16 OWING TO ILLNESS
Sun 09: Salty Dog @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:30pm (doors). Jazz, blues, Americana.
Sun 09: Graham Hardy’s Eclectic Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Sun 09: David Gray’s Flextet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 11: Laura Jurd @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Thu 04: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Seasonal/Festive Music & Songs - autumn into winter.
Thu 13: Awen Ensemble @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £5.00. Jazz-folk.
Thu 13: SwanNek + Ellen Beth Adbi + Phantom Bagman @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. A BBC Introducing event.

Fri 14: Dan Johnson Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 14: Giles Strong Quartet @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £32.00.
Fri 14: Guisborough Big Band @ Saltburn Golf Club. 7:30pm. £12.00 (inc. pie & peas). SOLD OUT!

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

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra presents Spirit of Light composed by Tommy Smith and featuring Kurt Elling and Cappella Nova

(Press release)
Spirit of Light is a celebration in music and song that combines the sacred and the secular in an illuminating new work composed by Tommy Smith.
The celebrated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and the ten voices of Cappella Nova will join the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra to perform this new music inspired by the seasonal iconography of the Star, Three Kings, Christmas Night, Winter Snow and the dawning of Christmas Day, and featuring settings of poetry by eminently humanitarian writers such as Liz Lochhead, Rainer Maria Rilke, Norman MacCaig, Robert Frost, Franz Wright, Jim Heynen, and St. Francis of Assisi.

Kurt Elling is a profoundly versatile American singer and a Grammy Award winner who is recognised worldwide as a leading figure in jazz. He is noted for his ability to transcend genre through his dedication to the power of song and the strength of great melody.
Cappella Nova is Scotland’s finest vocal consort, noted for its unrivalled reputation as champions of Scotland’s unique treasury of early vocal music and their dedication to original music by contemporary composers like James MacMillan and John Tavener.
Tommy Smith is a leading light in European jazz, first and foremost as one of the best saxophonists of his generation, and latterly as the founder and director of the SNJO.  He will join the orchestra for Spirit of Light as principal instrumental soloist.
The songs of Spirit of Light summon the traditional, the hymnal, the poetic and the modern for a series of memorable performances in the acoustic splendour of Scotland’s finest Cathedrals.
As we approach the turn of the year, a time for reflection and observation, Spirit of Light is the sound of hope restored and optimism renewed with strong messages of lasting peace, quiet joy and genuine understanding. We warmly welcome audiences, young and old, to share in this extraordinary choral and orchestral jazz experience.
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra is supported by Creative Scotland

*Friday 15th December:  Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow
Saturday 16th December:  St. Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen
Sunday 17th December: St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
World Première Performance

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