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

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

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).

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, March 04, 2022

Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - March 4

Tommy Moran (tenor sax); Alan Marshall (alto/soprano sax/clarinet); Neville Hartley (trombone/vocals); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Alan Rudd (bass); Tommy Graham (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals).

The weather outside may have been frightful but it didn’t deter the faithful from taking their seats for their weekly fix of Classic Swing. This seven piece has a loyal following of fans, hardy souls who wouldn’t let a mere downpour stop them from enjoying two hours of good music in convivial surroundings.

As always, the band started with their signature tune Classic Swing written by Tommy Moran and the feet started tapping. Everyone knew this one and knew that it would  herald an afternoon when old favourites would be interspersed with tunes not so well known and some original material.

The old favourites were there to savour. Olive sang Swing That Music and Bye Bye Blackbird, whilst Neville took his turn on vocals with Buona Sera and Nevertheless. However, amongst the more recognisable, was a smattering of the lesser known, Don’t Blame Me and East of The Sun  beautifully taken by Olive and an original by Tommy Moran called Jeremy’s Jive written to showcase the skill of Mr. McMurray on  piano.

The rapport between band and audience is plain to see. Here is a well established group of musicians  who are obviously very comfortable with each other and who enjoy what they do. And here is an audience very appreciative of that. Delightful.
Sylvia

Classic Swing; Swing That Music; East of the Sun; Sweet Sue; Buena Sera; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Back in Your Own Back Yard; Blue Lou; Don’t Blame Me; You Were Meant For Me; Jeremy’s Jive. Nevertheless; Bye Bye Blackbird.

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