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

Monday, September 19, 2022

Preview: Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music - Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

(Press release) 

In 1995 the original Newcastle Jazz Festival closed its doors, leaving a void in the city, until Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music was launched for the first edition in 2017. Responding to the cities need for a contemporary grass roots jazz festival, the programme proudly presents an innovative and diverse international line up, celebrating and pushing boundaries that challenge perceptions of jazz and improvisation.

This year we’re delighted to expand on our regular town centre activities and incorporate three nights of music in the Northern suburb of Jesmond. Popularly interpreted as “Jesus Mound” we fittingly begin our first weekend programme at the exquisite St. George’s Church, followed by two nights at one of the city’s newest and hippest venues, Bobiks at The Punch Bowl. 

The following weekend we return to our spiritual base of the prestigious Literary and Philosophical Society, with a Sunday afternoon family welcoming show at the award winning Globe. 

As ever we work with our lead partners Jazz North East, but also other key regional promoters including Jazz.Coop, GemArts, F54 and the Northern Jazz Promoters Network.

Alongside UK and Stateside based artists, we’re delighted to be bringing musicians from Belgium, and also Copenhagen with support from Jazz Danmark. 

Concerts, Live Streams, Recordings, Pre-Concert Talks, Workshops, Network Meet Ups 

Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music gratefully acknowledges Arts Council England, associated partners and funders for their support - Wesley Stephenson (Festival Producer).

Pendulums: Music for Bellringers, Improvisers and Electronics

Archipelago

SA Malley

Taupe

Skylla

Pete Wareham / Ruth Goller / Will Glaser

Czajka & Puchacz (Lapwing & Eagle Owl) AKA Kaja Draksler and Szymon Gasiorek

Mark Solborg

Anthropology Band

Adam Johnson

Noel Dennis and Pete Churchill

Orphy Robinson

Emanuele Maniscalco / Francesco Bigoni / Mark Solborg

Nicole Mitchell

Binker Golding / Alexander Hawkins / John Pope / Paul Hession

Nicole Mitchell with Alexander Hawkins

The Beck Hunters with John Pope and Laura Cole

Daniel Levin

Black Top with Mariam Rezaei

Helen Anahita Wilson

Zoë Gilby Trio with Noel Dennis

John Garner with John Pope

Dilutey Juice

Farida Amadou

Bex Burch and Leafcutter John

Shifa

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MORE INFO TICKETS etc.

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