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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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, April 22, 2019

A Starry Jazz in the Afternoon @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Easter Monday (April 22)


(Review by Russell)

Easter Parade - what else? - for starters. Nobody's Sweetheart Now - frontman Herbie Hudson singing, a typical Monday at Cullercoats Crescent Club's long-running, weekly Jazz in the Afternoon session. Well, it was a regulation start alright, but, on this glorious afternoon on the Costa del Culler, we were soon to be in the presence of several superstars - on and off the stand.

Our first superstar, Cullercoats' number one songstress Teresa Armstrong, not only sang beautifully - Almost Like Being in LoveOnce in a WhileAfter You've Gone - she arrived with a soon-to-be star of the silver screen.

The Old Potting Shed's Cheeky Beaky was but one of four tempting hand pulls on the bar - a tip-top choice! The house band did what it usually does in letting drummer Ollie Rillands off the leash to rattle through a quick-fire rock 'n' roll medley. Every time, it never fails, Ollie had 'em up dancing. Doris Fenn, everyone's favourite banjo player, brought along daughter Anne Shackleton to sing Dream a Little Dream of Me. Doris playing ukulele, Anne singing splendidly, this an early highlight of what would turn out to be an afternoon of highlights.  

Messrs John Broddle and Miles Watson got up to do their thing; John singing a selection with his usual panache, including I'll See You in My Dreams and Stardust; trumpeter Miles blowing well and singing a couple into the bargain. Stew Rickard leaped into action, Hohner squeeze box in hand, singing, with audience participation, There's a Bug Goin' Round before standing toe to toe in a harp attack duet/duel with the fearless Herbie Hudson. 

It was an afternoon of star performers on and off the stand - Teresa, Stew et al on the stand and, visiting her aunt (Teresa) on an off duty afternoon, Debbie Honeywood. You'll soon be hearing much more about Debbie. Chosen from a long list of hopefuls, Debbie recently landed the lead role in Ken Loach's forthcoming film Sorry We Missed You. Next month down to earth Debbie will be walking on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival as she attends the film's premiere! Later in the year Debbie (and Teresa!) will be at the British premiere in Newcastle. It had been a memorable afternoon on the coast.
Russell

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