Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

JAZZ NORTH WELCOMES HEATHER SPENCER AS PROGRAMME MANAGER

(Press release)


Jazz North are delighted to welcome Heather Spencer to the team as the new Programme Manager. Heather will be shaping and delivering activities that support the northern jazz sector, including responsive artist development, promoter and artist networking and sector consultation.

Heather brings with her a wealth of experience having worked in the jazz sector as a promoter, producer, and creative learning project manager across the North East. Alongside her freelance event work at arts festivals, she is co-founder and co-director of DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival. Previous positions include Jazz Development Coordinator at Sage Gateshead and co-programmer of Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender and Sunday Jazz at Middlesbrough Town Hall. 


As an alumnus of HMUK Jazz Promoter Fellowship, her work has continued to champion women musicians, educators, and young people with the endeavour to challenge the gender imbalance in the industry. She was also part of the production and programme team behind the planned 2020 edition of Gateshead Jazz Festival.    

 

“I'm thrilled to be joining the team at Jazz North and really look forward to working with the fantastic artists and promoters in our region,” says Heather. “I feel very privileged to join the ranks of an organisation I've admired and worked with for many years and although there are challenges ahead, I believe our sector will rebuild to be stronger than ever.” 

Heather will be working closely with the small team at Jazz North, which includes Director of Talent Development Steve Mead, Digital Director Nigel Slee and Chief Executive Lesley Jackson. “We are delighted that Heather has joined us,” says Lesley. “She brings a compelling blend of creative energy, solid industry experience and an innate understanding of the northern jazz scene as well as a personal passion for the music. We are looking forward to working with her to refine and develop programmes that will support the sector as it moves forward into a positive future.”  

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