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 Steadman (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, September 13, 2021

Suzanne Fonseca Quartet @ The Railway, Stoockport - Sept. 12

Suzanne Fonseca (trombone); Adrian Wilkinson (clarinet, tenor sax); Gavin Barras  (bass); Robin Dewhurst (piano).

It was a rainy night in Stockport, but it didn’t matter as the regular jazz fans were out in force and ready for their Sunday night jazz therapy. The last time Suzanne played here on August 15 she had a line-up of guitar, bass and drums but this time it was piano bass, no drummer and, of course, Adrian Wilkinson on reeds.

Robin Dewhurst is one of the best pianists around this area and he likes to play the house upright which he did on this occasion. He makes it sound like a concert grand and his style reminds me of the late, great, pianist Junior Mance who I heard live many times.   

In the absence of a drummer that superb bass player Gavin Barras did a great job keeping the time together and it was good to see him back in action after the lockdown.

The opening number was In a Mellow Tone and featured Adrian Wilkinson blowing that instrument most beloved of tenor saxophonists - the Selmer Mk VI - and this got the evening off to a good start with a kind of a mainstream vibe happening.

Fonseca made me think of Jack Teagarden tonight, especially during her solo on Misty, in my opinion one of the greatest tunes ever written.  Suzanne always ends her gigs by playing Bésame Mucho, not sure why but maybe I’ll ask her next time I see her.  One tune that wasn’t announced had me puzzled until I remembered a CD of Stan Getz playing it - Shine. Come to think of it, none of the tunes were announced but I don’t think the audience were too bothered about that.   All in all, a great gig!   

Tomorrow at the Railway (Sept. 14) it’s  the  Paul Hartley Guitar Quartet featuring Andrzej Baranek on piano. Mike Farmer.

In a Mellow Tone; Bernie’s Tune; Misty; Have You Met Miss Jones?; Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Bag’s Groove; Shine ; Caravan; If I Had You; Honeysuckle Rose; You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me; September in the Rain; Bésame Mucho.

No comments :

Blog Archive