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

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.

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: 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.

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

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Tony Irving & Massimo Magee @ The Globe - Jan 28

Tony Irving (drums); Massimo Magee (soprano & tenor sax)
(Review by Russell) 

It was billed on the Jazz Co-op's website as 'Tony Irving & Massimo Magee & Guests...seven o'clock'. In the event, the 'guests' failed to materialise and for a while your correspondent was the only bod on the premises, save for Jazz Co-op mover and shaker, Debra M. 

At quarter past eight, as Irving and Magee were about to begin (yep, an hour and a quarter after the advertised seven o'clock start - or should that have been 'doors'?) some of the usual suspects (they're rarely seen at 'jazz' gigs) had arrived, no doubt ready for some 'no-genre' music. Saxophonist Magee spoke briefly: drummer Irving would open the first set with a solo piece, Magee would follow with a solo piece of his own, then there would be a duo second set. For the remainder of the evening, neither Magee nor Irving said another word. Cool.

A drum solo, sorry, 'improvisation', took up fifteen minutes of our time followed by a similar span of time featuring Magee's circular breathing, uncomfortably pitched soprano sax workout. Technique to burn, Magee's approach owed something to the 'fire music' first heard more than half a century ago. 

The interval: a cassette tape (hey, kids, Google 'DIY underground retro music format') was for sale, bottles of Black Sheep were for sale at the bar. 

Second set - Irving and Magee served up some more free improv 'no-genre' stuff. No eye contact required, nor possible with Magee standing in front of drummer Magee, the men of few words let their improvisations do the talking.       
Russell

5 comments :

Debra Milne said...

Apologies for the inaccurate start time Russell, although it did state 7.30pm on the FB event page. I think it's worth noting that the Jazz Bar at The Globe was full (I had to relinquish my seat behind the bar) and Tony & Massimo chatted to many in the audience between sets. Clearly not Russell's gig of the year, but well received by many who were there.

Gavin said...

You think he'd be impressed that Magee managed to stand in front of himself playing drums. It is a shame they stuck to playing & didn't perform the standup routines they're renowned for.

Russell said...

Well spotted Gavin. Clearly Bebop Spoken Here could do with a proof reader!

Steve T said...

Cassettes are the new vinyls.

Anonymous said...

For those who would like to hear for themselves, the bulk of this performance forms part of an upcoming new album, available for pre-order now from New York's 577 Records: http://www.577records.com/5835

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