Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Thursday, March 04, 2021

Jazz On A Summer’s Evening - Cadogan Hall – 5th June 2021

(Press release)

Hampstead Jazz Club in association with Jazz FM proudly presents Jazz On A Summer’s Evening, an exclusive event showcasing some of the brightest stars in music.

Hosted by Jazz FM’s Nigel Williams, Jazz On A Summer’s Evening will take place at London’s Cadogan Hall on Saturday 5th June in front of a socially distanced audience. For those who can’t be there, this very special show will also be streamed live around the world, mixing a perfect Summer cocktail of classic jazz from an eclectic array of artists including Tara Minton, Jo Harrop, Carroll Thompson and Paul Lee.  After what has been an incredibly difficult year for musicians in the jazz community, all profits from live streaming ticket sales will go to the Hampstead Jazz Club musicians’ support fund.

Jazz FM will broadcast the concert shortly after the event. You can listen in colour across the UK on your digital radio, smart speaker, on DTV and on the app.

Tara Minton

Having cut her teeth working with everyone from Melbourne Opera to Björk, Australian-born singer and jazz harpist, Tara Minton, is the missing link between Joni Mitchell and Dorothy Ashby. She has just released the critically acclaimed Please Do Not Ignore The Mermaid, an astonishingly adventurous impressionistic dreamscape of an album.

Jo Harrop

Having recently received a raft of rapturous reviews for her Weathering The Storm album, Jo Harrop is one of the brightest new stars in the jazz universe. Described by BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop as “a very fine jazz singer,” she has a velvety voice that can melt the stoniest of hearts.

Carroll Thompson

Known the world over as The Queen Of Lover’s Rock, Carroll Thompson first burst into the spotlight 40 years ago with her ground-breaking million-selling debut album, Hopelessly In Love. Having worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson, Thompson is one of the most unmistakable voices in music. She will be showcasing songs from her forthcoming Where Did Our Lovers Go, a celebration of her lifelong love of jazz.

Paul Lee

Perhaps best known for his unforgettable performance of Stand By Me at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Paul Lee’s deliciously soothing gospel tones are the perfect tonic for these difficult times.

Featured Musicians

Alex Webb (MD and Piano), Phil Merriman (piano), Paul Edis (piano), Ciyo Brown (guitar), Tommaso Starace (saxophone), Freddie Gavita (trumpet), Ed Babar (double bass), David Ingamells (drums) all accompanied by the Amika String Quartet.

Alex Webb

Our Musical Director, Alex Webb, is one of the UK’s most in demand jazz pianists. He has written songs for everyone from China Moses to Liane Carroll. His critically acclaimed Café Society Swing show has enjoyed several theatre runs in London and New York.

Ciyo Brown

Award-winning jazz guitarist, has worked with a galaxy of stars including Paul Weller, Sly & Robbie and Annie Lennox, he’s one of the finest jazz guitarists of the modern era.

Freddie Gavita

Having worked with everyone from Gregory Porter to Dionne Warwick and appeared everywhere from Ronnie Scotts to the Royal Albert Hall, Freddie Gavita has built a reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and virtuosic jazz trumpet players.

Tommaso Starace

One of Europe’s finest saxophonists, Tommaso Starace has recorded 10 critically acclaimed solo albums and worked with a who’s who of jazz including Dave O’Higgins and Dave Liebman.

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