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

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

That was the year that wasn't

As 2020 draws to a close I don't need to remind anyone what a terrible year it has been. It's difficult trying to be optimistic in face of the ever increasing complications of the virus that are sweeping the world but there have been some bright spots.

The advent of the live stream has made virtual access to many venues available to those who otherwise wouldn't have been able to attend in person. On our doorstep in Newcastle, The Jazz Co-op via The Globe has presented top quality music from many genres featuring both local and national bands and artists. The Sunday night jazz gigs epitomise what that organisation is all about and there are more to come in the new year.
The Prohibition Bar provided some entertaining Sunday afternoons with an assortment of permutations from SSBB. 
Sage Gateshead has also kept ahead of the times albeit with only a smattering of jazz.

In London, there have been some unmissable sets from Kansas Smitty's, Ronnie Scott's, The 606 and several other jazz venues in the capital.

As well as the established places mentioned above there have been a number of lower profile gigs from bedrooms, living rooms and home studios that, nevertheless, were no less enjoyable and hopefully helped the performers to put a crust on the table. Among the many who deserve a special mention are Paul Edis; Jo Harrop; Lindsay Hannon; Zoë Gilby; Michael Lamb and the Strictly Smokin' Big Band; Adrian Cox; Enrico Tomasso; Liane Carrroll; The Jive Aces; Paul Booth; Dulcie May Moreno and Wendy Kirkland. My apologies to those I may have overlooked.

Nor did the live streams limit us to within these shores. New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Baltimore and many more cities have opened their doors to those of us prepared to burn the midnight oil. 

From our own point of view we have continued to try and keep our readers up to date as to what's happening and, sadly, more frequently what's not happening. It's a time consuming labour of love but, when you love jazz as much as we do, it's worth it and, as always, we invite anyone who shares our interests to get in touch and share their jazz thoughts. It can be a single sentence or a 1000 word résumé on your favourite band/musician - ideally somewhere in between those extremes.

To wish everyone a Happy New Year may be a bit premature so I'll wish every one a Happier and Safer New Year.
Lance

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