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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Stedman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

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.

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, May 31, 2021

Album review: Miguel Muziq - An Angel's Healing

Miguel Muziq (Michael Panteli) seems to draw from an innumerable amount of ideas, influences and styles, in creating An Angel's Healing; a sensitive, personal, inspired and inspiring work of art. He goes on a musical journey; exploring a variety of feelings linked to loss, acceptance and reconciliation. 

From its gentle, considered intro, rather like a lament, the music engages with some exquisite guitar playing, as well as emotive trumpet phases. The drums and percussion drive the music along at different beats; varying between slower to medium to more up-tempo.

As Miguel continues this musical exploration, his agility and flexibility as an excellent guitarist become evident. His Latin style blends well with Mediterranean influences and his dexterity and expressiveness is most impressive. Sometimes the guitar seems to be asking questions, sometimes it meanders, sometimes it seems to ripple along and sometimes individual notes are played with a beautiful tone.

The whole composition is well realised and although comprising a number of styles, fits together successfully. The other instruments blend brilliantly to create music that is sensitive, moody and exciting. The trumpet can be haunting, dramatic, flowing and gentle, for example. There are fourteen different tracks, which probably attests to the range of feelings Miguel was experiencing, as well as working through the expression of these through the creative involvement of the other musicians. So we can listen to the music, both as a creative and therapeutic process.

As we proceed through the CD, the feeling becomes lighter and more upbeat, celebratory and dance-like. We have salsa, with specific phrasing and the fluid flow of the trumpet. We have carnival, with different drum beats and rhythms, full of movement and energy. We finish with a track entitled Life Goes On, which seems to have a fiesta spirit about it; bringing the CD to a sacred and celebratory finale. You are left wanting more. It lasts around 37 mins. Recommended. Dave Sockett

Release date: June 18. Try/buy.

Miguel Muziq (guitars, synths, percussion); Tivon Pennicott (sax); Keyon Harrold, Yelfris Valdes, Jay Phelps, Jackson Mathod, Eikel Venegas, Andy Hornsby, Christopher Sharp (trumpets); Pablo Martin (trombone); Emannel Harrold, Stefan Brown, Aaron Lawrence(drums); Jansen Santana, Mario Yanez (percussion) Jahmal Nichols, AJ Brinkman (bass) ; Naomi Wilmhurst, Sabina Virtosu (violins); Susie Blankfield (cello).

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