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Bebop Spoken There

Abbie Finn: "Even though there's a lot of great work being done to promote women in jazz, I still come up against some attitudes! I pulled up at a recording session with my drums in the car and the studio owner said, 'I'm sorry, this space is reserved for the drummer!'" - (Jazzwise April 2023).

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Bar Loco, Newcasatle. From 6:30pm 'til late. Free. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra jam session. All welcome (students & non-students).
Thu 23: Kerrin Tatman + John Garner & John Pope @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 23: Sunna Gunnlaugs & Julia Hülsmann @ Sage Gateshead. 8:00pm. A two-piano gig. A Sage Gateshead-JNE promotion.
Thu 23: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano.
Thu 23: Sleep Suppressor @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00., £8.00. adv. Upstairs.
Thu 23: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tue 28: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 28: Sanaz Lavasani Trio @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 8:00pm. £12.00 (£10.00. adv).

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 29: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Preview: The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (Feb 28-Mar 1)

(Preview by Russell)

This weekend the GNBBJF returns to Park View Community Centre. GNBBJF? That's the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival being staged once again in Chester le Street from Friday 28 February to Sunday 1 March. A huge event, a mammoth undertaking, the GNBBJF is one of the most important weekends in the big band jazz calendar. Orchestras from across the country will be converging on Church Chare just off Front Street in Chester-le-Street to battle it out hoping to take home some silverware.

The action begins on Friday evening (7:30pm) with a double bill concert performance. Hartlepool based Musicians Unlimited will once again have the honour of opening a nonstop feast of big band jazz. Mick Donnelly's outfit has been on the scene for three decades and more and the current line-up boasts several big hitters within the sections and two accomplished vocalists - Jan Spencelayh and Paul Skerritt. A hand picked Festival Band will show the breadth and depth of talent in the region focussing on the many emerging musicians soon to become household names.

Saturday is the first day of two competition days with senior bands (college, university, semi-pro) up for examination. Adjudicators listen intently, scribble notes and make their final deliberations. At the end of a full day of big band jazz Park View Community Centre will be packed to the rafters with literally hundreds of musicians (and supporters) awaiting the results. The tension will be unbearable! Big bands from Bolton, Durham, Hexham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and further afield (this year including a band from Edinburgh) will raise a cheer for each and every band but, make no mistake, the winning band will be met with the loudest applause amidst wild scenes of celebration. The reigning champions, Bolton's Managers Big Band, will take some beating. Be there to experience the occasion for yourself.

Sunday (March 1) is the day guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. Some of the participants will stand little more than 1.372 metres high (that's 4' 6'' in old money) not because of stunted growth, no, these are young, growing (literally growing) musicians, school kids playing in school and youth big bands. The standard is amazingly high. Some will go on to make a living in the music world, some will play simply for their own enjoyment. This year St Aidan's School from Harrogate wil make a welcome return after an absence of a few years. Does this suggest the lads and lasses from Yorkshire fancy their chances? Get along to find out. 

A weekend ticket (£15) permits access to all three days, day tickets (£12) will be available on the door and under 16s gain entry for a fiver. Food and a licensed bar will be available all weekend. Please note the Great North Big Band Festival 2020 is a cash only event.   
Russell          

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