Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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

Friday, December 17, 2021

Classic Swing Christmas party @ The Crescent Club – Dec. 17

Alan Marshall (alto sax); Dave Kerridge (tenor sax); Neville Hartley (trombone, vocal); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Alan Rudd (bass guitar); Tommy Graham (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals)

Christmas came early to Cullercoats when Classic Swing threw a party for their loyal Friday following at the Crescent Club. The regular crowd were expecting their Friday lunchtime fix of good music from the band, what they were not expecting was a Christmas party - or at least a Christmas party like this!

As well as serving up their regular feel-good music, Olive and the band provided a buffet that ensured no-one left hungry and, to top that, a raffle where everyone was a prize winner! In fact, Alan Rudd had to forgo his regular upright bass for a bass guitar as there was no room in the car, filled as it was with gifts for the faithful!

The crowd were treated to some old favourites from the band. Dave Kerridge stepping in admirably for Tommy Moran who is poorly. We had, Sweet Sue, What Is This Thing Called Love? A Hundred Years From Today (with Neville Hartley taking the vocal) and Tin Roof Blues amongst others.

Olive stepped up to the mic with Says My Heart, When You’re Smiling, The Best Things In Life Are Free and a handful of Christmas songs including Winter Wonderland, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and finished with a tender rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

The regulars at Cullercoats Crescent Club definitely had a very merry Christmas today courtesy of Classic Swing.

The band are having a well-earned two week break but will be back to entertain on Friday 7th January from 1pm until 3pm – Sylvia.

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