Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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, January 13, 2020

Renowned Scottish Jazz Artists to Celebrate Burns Night with Special Concert at Middlesbrough Town Hall

(Press release)

Ahead of Burns Night, Middlesbrough Town Hall is kicking off 2020 with an afternoon of live music, celebrating the unique energy of Scotland’s vibrant jazz scene.

Taking place on Sunday 19th January, some of Glasgow’s finest jazz musicians are set to perform in The Crypt within the historical Middlesbrough Town Hall. 

As part of a successful series of monthly Sunday afternoon Jazz concerts, this Burns Night celebration will be headlined by Tom Bancroft’s ‘In Common’, a musical project fusing the common elements of jazz, electronica, Scottish folk and Indian classical music to create a unique sound centred around drones, grooves and improvisation.
Support comes from BBC Introducing’s ‘One to Watch’, Georgia Cecile; winner of The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Joe Williamson, and Scottish Jazz Award winners, the Fergus McCreadie Trio. 

Leading a new wave of Scottish Jazz, Glaswegian up-and-comer Georgia Cecile is receiving acclaim from critics and audiences alike with her unique blend of jazz, pop, R&B and soul. With the release of her debut album just around the corner, Cecile will be bringing some exciting new music to her set.

Joining Cecile is Joe Williamson’s latest project, Animal Society; a heady mix of electronic jazz and stadium rock, with influences as far reaching as Rage Against The Machine, Pat Metheny and EST. Their acclaimed live shows balance fiery grooves and heavy riffs with ethereal cinematic soundscapes. 

Finally, winners of the best album at the 2019 Scottish Jazz Awards, the Fergus McCreadie Trio will bring their innovative blend of Jazz and Scottish Traditional Music, described by Jazzwise Magazine as “Simply outstanding”. 

Commenting on the forthcoming show, lead programmer, Ros Rigby said: “The gig on January 19th will get us all in the mood for Burns Night the following weekend, with four amazing bands drawing on some of Scotland's finest jazz musicians. Get there early as to fit them all in we’ll be starting at 1pm”.

Sunday Jazz Burns Night Special (ft. Georgia Cecile, Tom Bancroft’s In Common, Joe Williamson’s Animal Society & the Fergus McCreadie Trio) will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday 19th January from 1pm. All under 14's must be accompanied by an adult. 

Tickets are available via middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk priced at just £12 (plus booking fee) or by calling the Box Office on 01642 729 729.

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