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

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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 Community Hall. 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.

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

Monday, August 10, 2020

Press release: Newcastle Jazz Festival Online - August 15

After taking the hard decision to cancel Newcastle Jazz Festival at our venues around the city this year we’re very pleased to offer online events on Saturday 15th August. We’ve compiled eight artists to take you through an afternoon of live music and discussion this Saturday. 

Starting at 2pm with a concert featuring Gateshead based guitarist Lloyd Wright, followed by Durham born saxophonist Paul BoothNeither will be a stranger to jazz fans in the North East –
Lloyd’s acclaimed band Lego Head was a Newcastle staple for some years; Paul’s status as one of the UKs finest tenor men is sealed with recent projects including Bansangu Orchestra and most recently TRYPL

Following at 4pm is a discussion lead by BBC radio legend Alyn Shipton on the effects of lockdown on jazz musicians. 
We’re thrilled to be hosting panellists Dennis Rollins (NJF 2020 headline artist), Paul Edis and Jo Harrop. Along with discussing the effects of Covid-19, they will be speaking about music which they have produced during the period, and what the future holds for them and the industry. 

Finally, at 7pm two artists who were expecting to play at this year's festival: JASMINE, and Jay Phelps

Leeds based saxophonist Jasmine Whalley will be performing her own blend of jazz and hip- hop creating a unique and distinct sound with her trio.
Then, to bring our online events to a close trumpeter Jay Phelps will take the reins till 8pm. Jay has been a regular on the London and wider UK jazz scene for over a decade – a founding member of Empirical, and having performed alongside Courtney Pine, Wynton Marsalis, Jamie Cullum and many more, his contemporary genre blending jazz and recognisable warm and projecting tone will mean this is not a session to miss. 

All sessions on Saturday August 15 are free of charge online, streaming links can be accessed at our web site newcastlejazzfestival.co.uk 
Donations to Newcastle Jazz Festival are welcome and can be made at paypal.me/newjazzfest 

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