Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Preview: Hot Club du Nord @ Sage Gateshead - June 20

(Preview/photo by Russell)
The Rye introduced Emma Fisk to the joys and rigours of touring up and down the land in a transit van. After a few years on the road the County Durham based violinist decided the time was right to go to university – Newcastle University, as it happens – with her sights set on becoming a BA, then an MA. Mission accomplished, Fisk accepted an invitation to join Djangology and in no time the Hot Club outfit established itself as one of the best-loved bands on the northeast jazz scene.

Djangology, later to become Djangologie, recorded albums, chalking up countless gigs, then, as is often the way, decided to call it a day, the four musicians keen to work on new projects. And this is where Hot Club du Nord came into the picture. 
A desire to play the music of 30s and 40s Hot Club giants Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli brought together Fisk, guitarists James Birkett and Dave Harris, and bassist Bruce Rollo. Where Djangologie left off, Hot Club du Nord took the baton, ran with it, and in double quick time played sold-out gig after sold-out gig.

At Sage Gateshead, on Wednesday, June 20, Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord will headline a superb double bill alongside the Joe Venuti-Eddie Lang inspired duo of Fisk and Birkett. Sage Two is likely to sell out as patrons just can’t get enough of ‘classic era’ jazz. It helps, of course, that violinist Fisk and guitarist Dr James Birkett are virtuosi. Numbers written by, or associated with, pioneers Venuti and Lang, notably their Blue Four, will feature in the duo’s set. Fisk will provide a commentary that is both informative and entertaining in equal measure.

The four members of Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord are busy people working with many other fine musicians, fulfilling teaching engagements and goodness knows what else. Wednesday, 8:00pm in Sage Two, is a golden opportunity to hear them in world class surroundings.    
Russell

To book your tickets telephone Sage Gateshead’s ticket office now: 0191 443 4661.       

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