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 Stedman (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

Wednesday, August 03, 2022

Marsden Jazz Festival is back for its 30th year against all odds

(© Liz Baker)
After a funding blow, the Yorkshire-based jazz festival has galvanised to bring four days of world-class live jazz to the picturesque Pennine village.

(Press release)

August 2022

Marsden Jazz Festival is thrilled to celebrate 30 years of the festival (6th-9th October)! They have just launched their 2022 programme and released tickets to the electrifying jazz coming your way in October.

Established in 1992, the festival is one of the longest running jazz festivals in the UK. The festival owes much of this longevity to its diverse programming and supportive audience, from the jazz curious and festival-loving families, to the community cohort and music buffs.

Marsden Jazz Festival 2022 will be self-funded through ticket sales, due to unforeseen changes this year in how the festival is funded.

Whilst this year the festival will look rather different to a usual year, it’s nonetheless spectacular in its line-up. The festival is urging their audience to show their love and support, as they enter their fourth decade, through buying a Full Festival or Day Pass to some of the incredible live music they are bringing to the village.

They have curated a headline programme of ten unmissable gigs in the magnificent surroundings and acoustics of St Bartholomew’s Church (pictured above), the “Cathedral of the Colne Valley”, including a very special pre-festival Thursday event with Marsden legend Simon Armitage.

(© WAB Studios_Jelani
Pomell.jpg)
Alongside some world-class acts like Gary Crosby, Emma Rawicz, Arun Ghosh, Ruby Wood, Robert Mitchell's True (pictured) and many more, there’ll also be the delectable Street Food Alley and Market in the Park to tempt audiences in between the stellar music.

Barney Stevenson, artistic director says: “Whilst we will miss organising events throughout Marsden in 2022, we are confident that you will enjoy our top-notch programme in St Bartholomew’s Church. Our tickets represent incredible value — under 30s can go for half-price and if you’re under 17 you can go for £1 a day! You can make a big difference in the future of Marsden Jazz Festival in 2023 and beyond by investing in tickets this year!”

Have a browse of their digital programme and buy your ticket to the music HERE! 

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