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

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Joe Webb Quartet @ The Spice of Life, London - March 14

Joe Webb (piano); Will Arnold-Forster (guitar); Tom Farmer (double bass); Richard Pite (drums) 

Monday lunchtime at the Spice of Life, it's the new Friday night out! All seats taken for the appearance of the mercurial Joe Webb, this was an eagerly anticipated gig. Introducing the concert, promoter (and drummer on the gig) Richard Pite, described himself as 'the old git' on the bandstand, saying he was looking forward to joining 'three young Turks' on the session which he hoped would 'swing like the clappers'. A pint of McMullen Brewery's Country Best Bitter, a seat to one side of the stage to ensure a good view of Webb playing the house upright, the quartet opened with Jive at Five. It swung alright, then some! 

Joe Webb is in the vanguard of young British jazz musicians (in their twenties/thirties) who know their jazz history and, what's more, have technique in abundance to play the music with panache and verve. Joining Webb today, guitarist Will Arnold-Foster, bassist Tom Farmer (of Empirical fame) and the aforementioned Spice of Life promoter (and regular Mike Durham International Classic Jazz Party participant), drummer Richard Pite.  

Pianist Webb summoned the spirit of Tatum, Peterson and other legendary figures, his infectious enthusiasm a joy to behold. Sheet music nowhere to be seen, Webb's quartet truly swung like the clappers, and when the occasion called for it, classic numbers (I Cover the Waterfront and In a Sentimental Mood) were afforded due respect. 

A blistering Cottontail, then to close the first set, a dizzying I Want to Be Happy. Forty five minutes had flown by, a sure sign of a great set. Another McMullen's, a natter, and it was time to settle down for the second set. 

My Heart Stood Still (Tom Farmer, impressive solo), I'm Confessin' That I Love You (Webb, wow!), an unlikely Little Suede Shoes, a likely Stompin' at the Savoy, piano, guitar and bass solos, plus MC Pite nonchalantly dispatching fours on All God's Chillun Got Rhythm, this Spice of Life gig sure did swing like the proverbials. Fats Waller's Jitterbug Waltz sent us on our way. A great afternoon.
Russell
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