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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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 Theatre. 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.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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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