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

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Northern Jazz Promoters Network Paid Internship Project and Promoter CPD Workshops

(Press release)

Established jazz promoters in the North of England are looking for people to come and learn how to promote world class jazz, whilst also providing a series of workshops available to existing jazz promoters to help support long term sustainability.

Jazz North East in Newcastle, Jazz Leeds, Wakefield Jazz, NQ Jazz in Manchester and Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues club will offer paid internships that will provide training in all aspects of jazz promotion in different environments.

The year-long internships will be open to anyone with an interest in jazz and the desire and potential to build their skills in promoting and developing audiences for the music. Available CPD workshops in audience development and related subjects will enable the interns and also other northern jazz promoters to develop appropriate skills and thus increase the long-term sustainability of the sector in the North.

The Arts Council England funded project will be delivered by Northern Jazz Promoters, the network of jazz clubs in the region, with support from Jazz North and line managed by Wesley Stephenson.

“Jazz musicians need places to play, and jazz audiences need places to listen to their favourite live music. These internships will give opportunities for people to learn all about the art of running and promoting jazz, and will also offer Northern jazz promoters new ways of developing their programmes” Steve Crocker – Chair Northern Jazz Promoters

“Voluntary Jazz promoters are at the heart of the UK jazz scene and we are really pleased that Arts Council England have recognised the strength and variety of promoters in the north of England through this innovative programme” Gill Wilde – Secretary Northern Jazz Promoters

“This is really good news for jazz in the North of England and Jazz North is looking forward to working with Northern Jazz Promoters to nurture new talent and develop skills across the whole sector
.”
Lesley Jackson - Executive Director, Jazz North www.jazznorth.org www.northernjazzpromoters.org Northern Jazz Promoters Network

Northern Jazz Promoters are a network of 20+ high quality jazz clubs and festivals in the North of England whose purpose is to provide spaces and promote the best jazz events within them. Started in 2011 as Norvoljazz, the Jazz Promoters Network rebranded and has since organised many promotional and training events, as well as the ‘Orpheus’ programme of top international artists touring Northern venues and working with Northern UK musicians.

Jazz North Jazz North are a dynamic and vibrant Jazz Development Agency that supports artists, grows audiences, inspires children & young people and builds networks in the North of England.

Jazz North East (Newcastle) Jazz North East are oldest grant-supported jazz promoting body in the UK and a leading specialist promoter of improvised music from around the world. The organisation promote year round across a variety of spaces including the prestigious Literary and Philosophical Society, the Parliamentary Award Winning ‘Globe’ and Gosforth Civic Theatre. Jazz North East are also the lead partners for the yearly autumnal Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.

Jazz Leeds (Leeds) Jazz Leeds run regular evening and afternoon concerts throughout the year with international, national and regional jazz artists at two venues: Seven Arts and Inkwell in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. They also run the Jazz Leeds Festival in July and the Village Jazz Festival in September, plus jazz workshops, a choir and regular jam sessions. They were UK Parliamentary Jazz Award winners in 2016.

Wakefield Jazz (Wakefield) Wakefield Jazz run by people who are passionate about great music they promote regular Friday night concerts as well as a Summer Festival, a Jazz Workshop and Jazz Choir. They featured in the ‘All About Jazz’ reader’s poll 2019.

Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club (Clitheroe) Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club is an arts-based charity in Clitheroe dedicated to developing and promoting the benefits of jazz and blues music in Lancashire. As well as a year round programme, their major event is an annual Jazz Festival on the first weekend of May.

NQ Jazz (Manchester) NQ Jazz brings the forefront of contemporary jazz and improvised music to Manchester, UK. Through partnership with Chetham’s School of Music and The Stoller Hall, and a weekly home at The Yard, the organisation promotes a varied programme of jazz and improvising artists from UK, Europe and US.

The Northern Jazz Promoters gratefully acknowledge the support of Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants. 

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