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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, 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

Friday, July 24, 2020

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club to Reopen August 1

(Press release)

Ronnie Scott’s throws open its doors for the first time in 137 days having been closed due the global Corona Virus pandemic.  Embracing the recent government announcement that indoor live music venues can reopen from August 1, the world-famous jazz venue announces its first schedule of artists.

The Soho-based club will open with a reduced capacity of 50% and with strict social distancing measures in place.  Modelled on the heady jazz joints of yesteryear and blessed with a warm, intimate setting and a unique seating layout, Ronnie Scott’s is able to observe distancing guidelines without losing any of its cosy atmosphere.


The move comes after careful consideration and a poll amongst the club’s members. As testament to their loyalty and the appetite to return to live music, tickets flew out when offered to members ahead of general release.
Ronnie Scott’s will also join its Soho neighbours in the already buzzing vibe providing seated tables outside providing champagne & burgers.

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the last act to play before the closure, will  open the club on August 1.  Featuring vocal sensation, Natalie Williams and the club’s Musical Director, James Pearson, the band present the ‘The Soho Songbook’; classic music from the jazz greats.  Other confirmed artists include one of the UK’s top jazz vocalists, the charismatic Liane Carrol, singer-songwriter and Sam Smith-collaborator Reuben James.  Jazz vocalist and ex-Puppuni Sister, Emma Smith plays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and young lion, Mark Kavuma, a prominent trumpet player on the British jazz scene.
Simon Cooke, managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s said

‘It’s great to be back doing what we do, we have been looking on enviously whilst restaurants have reopened, especially as the club is laid out like a restaurant. We have been planning the relaunch for some time so as soon as we got the green light for live performance we moved into action. Our unique structure of seating lends itself to distancing, some may say the added space is an improvement! Safety of our customers, staff and artists is of paramount importance so there will be protocols for the customers, the staff and the musicians.

“It’s been reported that social distancing measures could be financially ruinous for many other music venues to open, but it would be financially ruinous for us not to!”

Full Line up
August.
Sat 1:  The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook

Sun 2: James Pearson Trio - 100 years of Jazz Piano (lunch)

Sun:2 The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook (evening):

Mon 3: Pete Long & Simon Spillett play Jazz Couriers

Tues 4: Mark Kavuma Milestones and more

Weds 5: Reuben James trio

Thurs 6: Emma Smith/Jamie Safir and friends - Portrait of Ella

Fri 7/Sat 8: Liane Carrol Trio

Sun 9: The Ronnie Scott’s Blues Band (evening)

Tickets and more information available www.ronniescotts.co.uk

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