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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Musicians Unlimited @ Steelies, Hartlepool - Oct. 24

Steelies, aka South Durham Social Club, is onto a winner. Sunday lunchtime, concert room, full house, bar sales, and it's all down to Teesside's big band Musicians Unlimited taking up residency once a week on Westbourne Road. Mick Donnelly's outfit goes about it's business without fuss, smiles radiating across the sections. Today's session would feature vocalists Jan Spencelayh and Paul Skerritt with Bill Watson contributing several fine trumpet/flugelhorn solos. 

Stars Fell on Alabama opened today's programme, something of an unusual opener, measured rather than explosive. The sections sounding just fine, the rhythm section featuring veteran pianist Ted Pearce working alongside Tees Hot Club guitarist Ian Bosworth, bassist Ron Smith, drummer John Bradford and the evergreen Ernie Jackson on percussion. 

Bill Watson's solos (trumpet and flugelhorn) deservedly won warm applause (Stars Fell on AlabamaThe Touch of Your LipsA Foggy Day in London TownI've Found a New Baby). Sue Ferris, playing tenor sax, contributed excellent solos, Kevin Eland nailed his trumpet parts, and the vocalists - Ms Spencelayh and Mr Skerritt - were on the money all afternoon (Spencelayh singing A Night Like This from the Bond movie Casino Royale, Skerritt effortlessly scaling the heights on Come Fly with Me). 

MU's big band version of Wonderwall worked a treat (Skerritt), What a Difference a Day Makes (Spencelayh), Sweet Georgia Brown, yes, a varied set list making this afternoon's big band concert an unqualified success.  Russell
 
Musicians Unlimited: Mick Donnelly (MD); Bill Watson, Kevin Eland, Dave Harrison, James Corking (trumpets); Josh Bentham, Kim Skerritt (alto saxes); Sue Ferris (tenor sax, flute); Barbara Fagan (tenor sax); Jill Nelson (baritone sax); John Day, Dave Brocklesby, Tommy Cloughton, Peter Morgan (trombones); Ian Bosworth (guitar); Ted Pearce (piano); Ron Smith (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums); Ernie Jackson (percussion); Jan Spencelayh, Paul Skerritt (vocals)

Set list: Stars Fell on AlabamaCome Fly with MeThe Touch of Your LipsA Night Like ThisA Foggy Day in London TownFor Once in My LifeLight VariationsFeverI've Found a New BabyWhat a Difference a Day MakesEmancipation BluesMy Heart Belongs to DaddyMistyWonderwallChildren of Sanchez; The Best is Yet to Come; Sweet Georgia Brown

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