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

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).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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, May 22, 2019

River City Jazzmen @ Ashington Jazz Club (Block & Tackle pub) - May 21


Gordon Solomon (trombone); Bob Wade (trumpet, flugel, clarinet); Tommy Graham (drums); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (sousaphone) + Maureen Hall (vocals).
(Review by John T).

A full house at the Block and Tackle, a few new faces as well as one or two from years ago who remembered the River City Jazzmen when they were regulars at the Elephant.

The band kicked off with Girl of my Dreams followed by Blue Moon with trumpet player Bob blowing clarinet!

When Your Smiling and Dr Jazz featured guest vocalist Maureen Hall. Limehouse Blues, an up-tempo classic, showcased Tommy Graham on drums, Keith Stephen on banjo and Phil Rutherford on sousaphone.
 Keith and Phil got a standing ovation for their brilliant rendition of Lover Come Back to me. These guys are world class!

My Blue Heaven, Rosetta, Jazz Me Blues and At the Jazz Band Ball (a special request) had everyone’s feet tapping before bringing Maureen back to the stage for the last four numbers - Careless love, Mean Mistreater, Sister Kate and I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.

Compliments to Maureen on her excellent vocals and her undisputed jazz ability. Maureen and her husband had to hire a taxi to get to the gig after their car broke down. This just shows their dedication and the living of the jazz life.

Attached photo is of the beam in the pub on which Phil Rutherford hit with the top of his sousaphone - nearly bringing the house down!

Ironical wording – the music almost died!

It was good to have the River City back on the scene - let's hope it isn't just a one-off.
John T.

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