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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 10: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.CANCELLED!
Thu 10: Magpies of Swing @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. A Globe fundraiser (all proceeds to the venue).
Thu 10: Exhaust: Camila Nebbia/Kit Downes/Andrew Lisle @ Jesmond URC, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. JNE.
Thu 10: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guests Ray Dales & Jackie Summers.

Fri 11: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: John Rowland Trio: The Music of Ben Webster @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Fri 11: Imelda May @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 11: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ Cullercoats Watch House. 7:30-9:00pm. Free (donations).

Sat 12: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 12: Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra + House of the Black Gardenia + King Bees @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 6:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sat 12: Bright Street Big Band @ Washington Arts Centre. 6:30pm. £12.00. Event includes swing dance taster session, DJ dance session. Bright Street Big Band on stage 7:30-8:15pm & 8:45-9:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 12: Imelda May @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £42.20. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 13: Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 13: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 13: Hejira: A Celebration of Joni Mitchell @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £22.50.
Sun 13: Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble + Chojnacki @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20., £11.00. JNE.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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, October 21, 2019

Middlesbrough Town Hall Confirms the New and Improved Return of its National Jazz programme

(Press release)

Following the success of its inaugural launch last year, the popular Sunday Jazz Weekender is set for a welcome Teesside return, bringing with it this time a 6-month long programme of critically acclaimed live music to Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Kickstarting with a Sunday Jazz Special on Sunday 27th October and programmed by the founder of Gateshead International Jazz Festival at Sage Gateshead, and Europe Jazz Network's Ros Rigby (OBE), this year's festival will showcase the best talent from the North East of England and across the UK, from soloists like pianist Gwilym Simcock to large scale heavyweight line-ups such as the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.



The launch event on 27th October follows a successful preview event in September which featured local jazz hero Noel Dennis.

This time around, there will be two main events in the Main Hall. The award-winning Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - complete with pianist Brian Kellock - will perform the music of jazz legends Count Basie, Duke Ellington and 'Fats' Waller from 7:30 pm, preceded by three stellar acts; husband and wife duo Zoe Gilby & Andy ChampionTommy Smith (saxophonist & OBE award winner) & Brian Kellock (Scottish international Jazz ambassador), as well as UK pianist Gwilym Simcock, who continues to travel the world as a member of US jazz guitar icon Pat Metheny's quartet.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the 2019 Sunday Jazz festival, lead programmer, Ros Rigby (OBE), said“The Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender last year was just one weekend of music, and the first event of its kind in the town for 40 years, but the Sunday jazz Series now gives us a chance to bring a wider range of some of the most exciting and enjoyable jazz artists from across the UK to the Town Hall.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming the fantastic Scottish National Jazz Orchestra to the venue on October 27, particularly as they are presenting a programme of the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and my all-time favourite Fats Waller - I hope they include ‘Ain't Misbehavin’ and 'Honeysuckle Rose' in the programme!

“The newly refurbished Town Hall is a brilliant venue for jazz - particularly the Crypt with its informal feel, and the Sunday afternoon slot is ideal for people to come along and hear a variety of music in a relaxed setting. We hope that people from the Tees Valley and beyond will support it so that we can carry on presenting artists of this quality into the future!”

Assistant programmer, co-founder and director of DJAZZ, Durham City Jazz Festival, Heather Spencer, adds: “This year, audiences can expect to have a lush and varied Sunday afternoon of jazz with a bit of something for everyone“Our launch event on Sunday 27th captures the very essence of the amazing jazz we have coming to Teesside throughout the programme. As well as the iconic jazz heavyweights, you'll also find gems such as Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion and their incredible voice and bass harmonics. There is something for everyone. It's great to be back!”

The Sunday Jazz Festival at Middlesbrough Town Hall commences on Sunday 27th October.

This will be followed by another event on Sunday 17th November featuring the Michael Brecker, Barry White inspired Binker Golding Band, the Leeds-based electronic-soul quartet Noya Rao and North East rising talent Francis Tulip Quartet.

For more information about Sunday Jazz and to buy tickets visit: 

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