Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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, January 30, 2020

Scarborough Jazz festival 2020 The Grand Hall | Scarborough Spa.

(Press release)

The 2020 Scarborough Jazz Festival will take place across the weekend of 25-27 September 2020 at Scarborough Spa.

Earlybird Weekend Tickets are now on sale!

Our 2020 Line Up!
Alan Barnes Octet plays Jazz Portraits
Alan returns alongside his long established octet, as usual, the music is swinging and accessible as well as serious and is always presented with humour, peppered with anecdotes. Visit Artist Website.

Dave O’Higgins & Rob Luft Quartet
Young 'firebrand' Rob Luft teams up with an established giant of the UK Jazz scene as their Quartet perform Thelonious Monk compositions and tunes played by John Coltrane. Visit Artist Website

Djanco featuring Andy Aitchison
The spirit of gypsy swing with the flair of flamenco to create a distinctive jazz flavour

Hans Koller - Bird Migration Big Band-A Celebration of the Centenary of Charlie Parker
A 13-piece ensemble exploring and celebrating musical ideas and imagined movements of Charlie 'Bird' Parker. Visit Artist Website

Ian Shaw, Iain Ballamy, Jamie Safir -What's New
3 leading solo artists collaborating to share the best of popular songwriting as they launch their new album.-What’s New (Released on 7 February) Visit Artist Website

Jean Toussaint Allstar 6tet
A genial presence on the UK jazz scene for 30 years, Jean presents his all-star 6tet which has been put together to mark what would have been Art Blakey’s 100th birthday. Visit Artist Website

John Pearce & Dave Newton
A Scarborough Jazz Festival regular joins 'A violinist of immense virtuosity’ (London Jazz News) to perform his ‘fine record’ (Jazz Rag) Just Friends. Visit Artist Website

Jonny Mansfield's Elftet
'A musical vision beyond his years'-Evan Parker Visit Artist Website.

Julian Joesph Trio
Virtuoso pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, broadcaster and educator, Julian Joseph is the undisputed heir to the global house of jazz and he performs at The Scarborough Jazz Festival for the very first time this September. Visit Artist Website

Karen Sharp Quartet
World class musicians who also happen to be great friends. Together they create a unique sound that is warm, spontaneous and exciting! Visit Artist Website

Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra
'A pianist of extraordinary imagination who thrives on fugitive melodies” Dave Gelly. Visit Artist Website

Phil Robson's Organ Trio
An award-winning, incredibly versatile and creative guitar player as well as celebrated composer, joins forces with the Hammond virtuoso Ross Stanley and the inspiring and powerful drummer Gene Calderazzo to bring this all-star band to the Scarborough Jazz Festival. Visit Artist Website

Rafe’s Dilemma
Celebrating literature, music and theatre. This young quartet brings together an eclectic mix of jazz, electronic music and rock to create an excitingly fresh and intriguing sound. Visit Artist Website

The Fergus McCreadie Trio
Winner of Jazz Album of the Year at The Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2019. Visit Artist Website

The Oxley-Meier Guitar Project
The exceptional musicianship of all members is unquestionable. The music is sensational, played with great energy and the incredible rapport between the three members is something that definitely sets this band apart. Visit Artist Website

VEIN feat. Stan Sulzmann
“One of Europe’s most exciting ensembles” John Fordham-The Guardian. Visit Artist Website

Zoe Gilby – Aurora
Winner of Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Vocalist of The Year 2019.  Visit Artist Website
Plus!...one more act still to be confirmed!

Compere: Alan Barnes

Tickets:
Earlybird Weekend Tickets (available until 31 May 2020): £105 (plus facility fee)
Day & Session tickets will be on sale very soon.

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