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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00-2:00pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Fiona Finden’s Jazz Express @ Flash House Brewing Co., North Shields. 8:00pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: MOBO Song @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 12 noon. Free, performances on the concourse. Line-up inc. Jazz Attack (on stage time TBC) & Jambone (12:20pm).
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. 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, February 06, 2020

Award Winning Jazz Composer and Clarinettist Arun Ghosh to Perform in Middlesbrough This February

(Press release)

Twice winner of ‘Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year’, Arun Ghosh is set to return to the North East for a one-off show on Teesside this month.

The British-Asian clarinettist will bring his signature fusion of jazz, rock, folk and South Asian music to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday the 16th February as part of the venue’s ambitious jazz programme, Sunday Jazz in the Crypt.

The fifth instalment of the monthly afternoon event brings together some of the leading lights of the Northern jazz scene. Arun Ghosh hails from Bolton and rose to prominence in the jazz venues of Manchester. Supporting Ghosh are two North East based ensembles; the award-winning Tyneside band, Archipelago and the celebrated trio fronted by Newcastle guitarist Mark Williams.
Ghosh is widely regarded as a leading innovator of the modern Indo-Jazz genre, captivating audiences with his passionate style, melodic outpourings and freewheeling improvisations.

Described by the iconic Sitar-player Ravi Shankar as “a natural born improviser”, Ghosh’s intensely charged clarinet-playing is propelled by driving drums, hypnotic basslines and psychedelic keyboard textures.

Joining Arun Ghosh is the genre-blending trio, Archipelago. Having toured extensively across the UK, including a slot at Latitude Festival on the BBC Introducing stage, the trio have made a name for themselves for their live performances, taking their audiences on a journey through chaos, freedom, darkness and joy.

The Mark Williams Trio utilise loops and effects to create a unique sound drawing influences from such genres as jazz, rock, blue and metal.

Lead Programmer and Founder of Gateshead International Jazz Festival Ros Rigby commented:

“February 16th’s Sunday Jazz is a real celebration of musical talent from the North of England.  Conceived in Calcutta, but having grown up in Bolton and Manchester, Arun Ghosh draws on his musical heritage to create accessible and emotional music with a mesmerising performance style. 

“His group is joined by two bands from the vibrant Newcastle jazz scene; guitarist Mark Williams and his trio and Archipelago, led by saxophonist Faye McCalman with John Pope on bass and Christian Anderson on drums.”

Sunday Jazz in The Crypt Featuring Arun Ghosh, Archipelago and Mark Williams Trio will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday 16th February 2020. All under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased for £12 (plus booking fee) and are available to purchase online via the following link: 

For more information about Middlesbrough Town Hall and their other events visit: 

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

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