Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

From This Moment On

September.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Love Jazz! Love the Black Swan jam sessions!

The ever-enterprising Newcastle Arts Centre has taken delivery of a first batch of specially commissioned jazz badges. They come in two or three different colours and designs. Black Swan jam session regulars will want to get their hands on one as soon as the adjoining crafts shop re-opens. 

A mere £1, wear it the next time you're at a jam session to show your support for Mike T & co. It's the best free show in town so don't forget to drink a bottle or three as you'll be helping to rebuild the ever-fragile jazz economy. Love jazz! Drink beer! Cheers!
Russell

4 comments :

Patti said...

What a great idea - we love jazz, we love Mike, and we absolutely love the Jazz Cafe ...... and can't wait for the grand reopening! I'll be cheering it all on with a glass or two of the finest white wine. Let the good times roll!

Anonymous said...

Very commendable but, shouldn't we at this point in time be buying badges supporting the NHS? Is the Newcastle Arts Centre donating a percentage of their anticipated badge sales towards something, dare I say it, even more important than jazz?

Russell said...

A percentage of sales (profits) to the NHS is commendable - it's called taxation. Some argued and voted for tax cuts for the rich and further so called 'austerity measures'. The result? A chronically under funded NHS. How many of those 'clapping for the NHS' voted for this, dare I ask?

Chris Kilsby said...

I have to agree with Russell.

The NHS cost £134bn (2019), not the few ££s raised by well meaning individuals.

This cost demands support (from taxation) across the whole of the economy, not from charitable giving (often from those who can't really afford it). We're already familiar with charity (PTAs) supporting our schools for essentials (books and staff costs for God's sake!) due to un-necessary "austerity" while the wealthy enjoy tax cuts and tax evasion, along with big multi-nationals.

Let's not be "guilt-tripped" into stunts like the (remarkable) Capt Tom Moore's fundraising - we should be demanding properly resourced essential services. Clapping (yes, and playing jazz) to show our appreciation of our carers and the NHS is a human response and the least we can do, but the nation's duty is surely to hold government to account to resource and pay them properly !

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