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

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Body and Soul @ Dormans Jazz Club,Middlesbrough - August 1

Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugelhorn);Rick Laughlin (keys/synthesizer);  Keith Peberdy (bass); Stuie Ellerton (drums).
(Review by Ron H)

A good sized and enthusiastic audience turned out for this month’s guest band Body and Soul - a band with a reputation for playing exciting jazz.

Cantaloupe Island set the standard followed by a swinging Speak Low with impressive solos all round.

Tadd Dameron's Good Bait had a relaxed feel with Rick, Kevin and Richie in top form.

Kevin, on flugelhorn, was featured in Grover Washington Jr’s beautiful ballad Make Me A Memory, Rick's soulful sound on Synth giving a great dynamic build up to Kevin’s mellow playing.

The first half was brought to a close with Chuck Mangione’s The Hill Where the Lord Hides, Keith soloed and Stuie provided sympathetic support.

The second set opened with an up-tempo Miles Davis classic - Milestones - and more great solos.  Richie's sumptuous tenor playing was featured on Young And Foolish as well as a lyrical piano solo from Rick.

A number played for the first time by the band and featuring Rick with drum and bass backing, Chick Corea's Spain, held the audience spell bound with a skilful blend of piano and synthesizer.

After a fine Norwegian Wood. a well-deserved encore - The Crusaders’ Hustler - finished the night in great style.

A great night by a great band with one couple, new to these jazz nights, describing it as “magical”.

The usual thanks go to Dormans Club for their help and support to ensure the success of the evening.
Ron H

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