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

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.

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 Community Hall. 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.

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, June 21, 2022

Jamie Toms @ Blaydon Jazz Club - June 20

(© R. Veitch)
Jamie Toms (tenor sax, soprano sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Okay, it's time to come clean, it looks as though notes taken at last night's Blaydon Jazz Club concert are in the wash. We'll find out in an hour or so. So, how did last night go? The sun shone, Black Bull regulars sat in the beer garden overlooking the Tyne, as did the evening's special guest, Jamie Toms, quietly writing out a set list. Messrs Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder and John Bradford joined JT for a quick pre-gig pint. 

A decent turn out (numbers slightly up on recent times), second hand CDs selling well, Blaydon Jazz Club was ready to welcome to the stage, Mr Jamie Toms. The tenor saxophonist's set list made for a refreshing change, the selection more post-Gasbook than usual with the 'modernists' in favour. Coltrane, Bergonzi, Brecker, myriad influences and or favourites of Toms, some numbers dating back to his student days, other selections emerging from lockdown times. 

(© R. Veitch)
Toms the tenor saxophonist we know well from Not Now Charlie and the Strictly Smokin' Big Band. This Blaydon Jazz Club small group session gave Toms the opportunity to stretch out a little more than he otherwise would. That said, our man isn't one to hog the limelight, his concise solos an object lesson in playing the tune, saying what you've go to say then inviting his band mates to make their contribution. A couple of excursions on soprano sax were a revelation, let's hear more! All four musicians were up to the mark: Dean Stockdale an outstanding soloist in his own right, here providing first class support, ditto trio leader Mick Shoulder. The ubiquitous John Bradford handled each and every number with ease, his unobtrusive drumming in marked contrast to some other tub thumpers. 

The morning-after-the-night-before it's a case of washday blues. One thing is for certain, Jamie Toms royally entertained the Blaydon Jazz Club audience, so much so, he should do it again sometime!  Russell                 
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1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Nice to see Jamie following the training I had, twenty years later Lol! P.G.

Sunday, June 26, 2022 4:06:00 pm

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