Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

From This Moment On

August

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Preview: Jo Harrop, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Paul Edis Trio, Ed Cross String Quartet @ Sage Gateshead

Forget about the Spice Girls at the Stadium of Light on Thursday (June 6) There's a much bigger deal at Sage Gateshead that very same night.

The Paul Edis* Trio with super songstress Jo Harrop and the ever popular saxist Vasilis Xenopoulos are in concert having just played a reportedly tremendous gig down at London's 606 Club.
Let Paul tell us more about the upcoming Sage gig.

"About 10 years ago I got a call from my good friend, saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. I’d met Vasilis when I was studying at music college in London. We’d played together loads as a duo then, and since I returned to the North East he’d started making what have now become almost annual trips to perform (he now considers himself an honorary Geordie!). 

Vas was on a gig that day with a London based singer, originally from 'up north' who was looking for a pianist for a gig later in the year. The singer was Jo Harrop, who it turns out had grown up in Chester-le-Street, just a few streets away from my family home! It took a Greek - based in London - to introduce us..! Since then, Jo too has made regular appearances in the region performing at Sage Gateshead, Ushaw College, Gala, Jazz Cafe and elsewhere. 

On Thursday next week (June 6) I'm really excited to be joined by Jo and Vasilis, alongside Russ Morgan (drums) Andy Champion (bass) and the Ed Cross string quartet to perform original songs and new arrangements from the Great American Songbook inspired by the themes of ‘Time and Place’. 

Tickets are still available via this link: https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/paul-edis/
YouTube clip from '606' Club."

However, there is more! On Friday lunchtime (June 7) Paul and Vasilis perform a duo set at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Early booking is essential for this popular venue.

And still more! On Friday evening at Ushaw College Paul, Vasilis, Andy Champion and Russ Morgan play a quartet gig in a truly majestic setting.

Three unmissable gigs!
Lance.

* Paul Edis is currently Sage Gateshead’s Associate Artist which is funded with support from PRS for Music Foundation. Sage Gateshead support artists by creating opportunities for performance, commissions and touring as well as the chance to work closely with Royal Northern Sinfonia and their classical, jazz, folk and choral youth ensembles.

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