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

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: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
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.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, 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, December 03, 2018

Classic Swing @ the Block & Tackle, Ashington - December 3

Bob Wade (trumpet/flugelhorn): Jim McBriarty (tenor sax/clarinet/vocals); Don Fairley (trombone); Colin Haikney (piano); Alan Rudd (bass); Ian Hetherington (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals) + Gordon Solomon (trombone).
(Review by Lance).

After a long and tedious X22 bus journey Jim McBriarty seemed to be commiserating with travellers when he sang Sent For You Yesterday (and here you come today). 

Fortunately, despite the devious route, it was all worthwhile. Ashington Jazz Club's new venue looks good and the room was packed, all enjoying the music and the free buffet. Whether the buffet is a one-off or a regular feature, only time will tell. What's for sure is that if you like your music north of Bourbon St. and south of 52nd St. then this isn't a bad place to be.

The band live up to their name of Classic Swing - they could have the dead lindy-hopping in their graves.
(Photos below courtesy of Russell)
Tried and tested material - if it ain't broke don't fix it - that somehow still sound as fresh as tomorrow. One number I hadn't heard them do previously was the closing Trombone Cholly featuring Olive and Gordon. Keep it in the book!

When Bob Wade announced It's a Wonderful World I thought great! The perfect number for Olive. Alas, it turned out to be What a Wonderful World - maybe next time.

Bye Bye Blackbird had the two trombones in Jay & Kai mode, something they also did on Caravan to great effect. The Juan Tizol tune also had some blistering trumpet from Bob Wade and the inevitable drum solo - this time from the impressive Ian Hetherington.

Jim McBriarty took to the mic again for Rockin' Chair, a number I'm sure some of the senior members in the audience could relate to, as well as hitting us with some gutsy tenor and nimble clarinet during the course of the afternoon.

Colin Haikney made the most of his few solos whilst Alan Rudd was, as usual, his solid, dependable self.

It may be out in the sticks but it's well worth the effort. Entry is free although the optional raffle isn't. Real Ale came in the form of Lancaster Bomber. Reasonably priced in today's economic climate at £2.90.
Back on January 7.
Lance 
at

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