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

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Down for the Count Swing Orchestra @ Whitley Bay Playhouse - March 25

Mike Paul-Smith (MD, piano); Max Fagandini (trumpet, trombone, vocals); Tim Rabbitt (trumpet); Alex Western-King (tenor sax, clarinet); Damon Oliver (alto sax); Sam Irvine (tenor sax, baritone sax); David Bowden (double bass); James Smith (drums); Hannah Castleman (vocals); Lydia Bell (vocals)

A run of three concerts in Scotland and one at Whitley Bay Playhouse constituted something of an 'up north' tour for the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra. MD Mike Paul-Smith said this was the first time the band had visited Tyneside, adding he hoped it would be the first of many. The Down for the Count outfit tours with various line-ups, this Playhouse 'Legends of Swing' concert presented its mini big band playing a wide selection of swing numbers. Suited and booted, the gentlemen of the orchestra wearing suits 'kindly provided by Marc Darcy', the ladies wearing 'evening gowns', by whom, who knows?

The outstanding James Smith (drums) brought in Sing, Sing, Sing, the horn section a siren chorus. In true revue style, band leader Paul-Smith kept the show moving along. Hannah Castleman walked out on to stage to sing an effective In a Mellotone. Ms C would return. Paul-Smith announced a 'trumpet-off' with trumpeters Max Fagandini and Tim Rabbitt slugging it out front of stage on Bugle Call Rag. All good fun! Our second vocalist of the evening, Lydia Bell, sang Ella's lyrics to Frank Foster's Shiny Stockings. Ms B stayed on to sing Bei Mir Bist du Schoen accompanied by Alex Western-King's clarinet. 

A jet-lagged Max Fagandini (48 hours earlier he was out in Santa Fe, New Mexico) sang, not quite a la Fats Waller, I'm Crazy 'bout my Baby. Yes, this was a revue show, make no mistake. Alto saxophonist Damon Oliver stepped into Johnny Hodges' shoes to play Don't Get Around Much Anymore. Ellington to Basie to Benny G to Louis Prima, there was something for anyone and everyone if they had that certain swing thing. 

Bourbon St Parade, In the Mood (MD Paul-Smith insisting the band rarely, if ever, plays the number, this evening it was a special request), Why Don't You Do Right? (Ms Castleman singing), Ms Bell nailing Ella's scatting on Blue Skies, the pace never let up. The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra presents a good fun, value for money show. The band plans to return to the region next year, as and when it does, book a front row seat. Russell                  
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