Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18122 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1086 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 07: FILM: Blue Moon @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Dir. Richard Linklater’s biopic of Lorenz Hart.
Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 08: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones of 1976.

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: 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

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Preview: A Jazzy Christmas - not once but twice!

(Preview by Russell/photo courtesy of Jerry E from last year's event).

Last year's A Jazzy Christmas at Sage Gateshead sold out and this year's tinsel-strewn event looks like putting up the 'house full' signs once again. Friday's concert (December 21st, 8:00pm*) in Sage Two includes arrangements of perennial favourites performed by pianist Paul Edis and an all-star cast. 

County Durham's world-class singer Jo Harrop will make the journey north from her London home as will Yorkshire born saxophonist Matt Anderson to join MD Edis, Emma Fisk, violin and the unbeatable bass and drums partnership of Andy Champion and Russ Morgan. 
Santa hats at the ready, popular song, festive favourites, yes, December 25th is just around the corner. Joining in the fun will be a 'who's who' of the regional jazz scene including, one imagines, a few Early Birders and Jamboners, past and present.  

Last year's A Jazzy Christmas proved so popular that this year there is a further opportunity to catch the show. Tomorrow (Thursday 20th, 7:30pm) at Ushaw (formerly Ushaw College) Paul Edis and co will present the same, well-rehearsed show. There will be one personnel change - the fine violinist John Garner will deputise for the indisposed Emma Fisk, but fear not, Emma will be on stage at Sage Gateshead - and, a real bonus, Jason Holcomb will be playing trombone. 

To book your seats call Sage Gateshead on 0191 443 4661and Ushaw on 0191 373 8500.  
Russell

At 7:00pm on Sage Gateshead's concourse there will be a half hour set featuring a new band co-led by José Gonçalves and Inês Gonçalves. The Nu Bossa Band comprises the Gonçalves (José bass, Inês piano and vocals) and Thomas Dixon, reeds and pianist Ben Lawrence.              

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