Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

The Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina - September 11

A beautiful autumn day. A trip to the coast, a look in at Cullercoats Crescent Club (quiet), a wander round Tynemouth Metro station market (busy), a visit to Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (this was Heritage Open Days' weekend, but it's open year round) overlooking the Tyne estuary and out to the North Sea, and on to Coble Dene to catch one of the region's most popular big bands. 

Royal Quays Marina reeks of money, squillions of small pleasure craft moored adjacent to the Port of Tyne ferry terminal, a world away from the less well off housing estates just up the road. Mark di Suvero's Tyne Anew sculpture stood in the shadow of two towering cruise ships - Disney Magic and DFDS - preparing to set sail. Also in their shadow, Dave Hignett's Tyne Valley Big Band was busy entertaining residents, resting cyclists, walkers, cafe diners and a few jazz fans. 

Today's edition of the TVBB boasted no fewer than seven trumpets, a full compliment of reeds - Sophie Speed and Andrea DeVere blowing some great tenor sax - Caroline Guirr on bass and David Johnson, drums, yes, many familiar faces were on parade. Quincy Jones' Soul Bossa Nova, Henry Mancini's ever-popular The Pink Panther Theme, Barbara Hignett belting out Paolo Nutini's Ten Out of Ten and Aretha Franklin's big hit, Respect, a typically energetic set from the Tyne Valley boys and girls. 

Closing out a fine set, Dave Hignett's crew went out on Erik Morales' Feelin' the Funk. It was time to head up to Black Storm Brewery's tap room then on to Newcastle for some last minute shopping. Russell
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