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

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

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

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Marsden Jazz Festival is bringing back live music this October!

(Photo © Liz Baker Photography)
 (Press release) 

The Yorkshire-based jazz festival is returning with it’s 29th annual event, bringing world-class live jazz to the village of Marsden. 

September 2021

After a tough 2020 which saw the first-ever cancellation of Marsden Jazz Festival in almost 30 years, the award-winning festival based in Marsden WILL be returning in just under a fortnight!

Taking place over the usual second weekend in October (8th-10th this year), the festival is going to be ‘simpler and safer’ with most events happening outdoors and extra safety measures in place for indoor spaces.

“Audience research at the end of 2020, asked our supporters what events they would feel most comfortable attending this year,” said Barney Stevenson, artistic director, “Over 70% of people said that outdoor events would be most attractive, and so we have planned a festival for 2021 which is mostly outdoors”

The newest attraction for 2021 is the Peel Street Stage which will be located outside Marsden Mechanics and which is being programmed in collaboration with Jazz re:freshed, who incidentally has just been nominated for a Jazz FM award, bringing world-class musicians to the stage such as Gary Crosby and Camilla George.

The only indoor live music venue for this year will be at the impressive St Bartholomew’s Church which has been described as the ‘Cathedral of the Colne Valley’. Here you can see performances from Shri Sriram & Dennis Rollins, Xhosa Cole, Bex Birch, Ivo Neame, and more. Tickets are now on sale but some gigs are likely to sell out this week!

“We want people to feel comfortable as well as excited when they attend the festival this year,” added Barney “we have trained staff and volunteers in covid-safety, bought equipment to help us keep places clean and sanitised, and we have a flexible ticket system to allow for changes in circumstances.”

There will also be an exclusive Chronotope exhibition this year, taking place in Marsden Mechanics hall. Using 360-degree sound and screens, visitors will be transported onto Marsden Moor to listen to the exclusive performances, filmed during lockdown in 2020.

For those seeking refreshment, Street Food Alley, located immediately outside the Church, will be selling hot and cold food including wood fired pizza, Indian street food, dumplings, wraps, toasties and more. Gifts and other items can be purchased at Market in the Park, where audiences will also be entertained by amateur youth performances on the Bandstand.

In short, Marsden Jazz Festival is a great day out whether you're a jazz fan, or just a little bit jazz curious!

Find out about all of the exciting things happening over the festival weekend and book tickets now at www.marsdenjazzfestival.com/whats-on

 

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