Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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

Tuesday, November 01, 2022

EFG London Jazz Festival Presents: Emma Smith And Georgina Jackson - THE BIG SWING

(Press release)

The EFG London Jazz Festival and Cadogan Hall are proud to host the exclusive premier performance of ‘The Big Swing’: the world’s first double female fronted big band. Jazz luminaries Georgina Jackson and Emma Smith launch the historically male dominated world of Big Band Swing in to unchartered territory, by assembling a formidable group of master musicians to present their own unique interpretation of this old school tradition, adding contemporary style and charisma in abundance.

Both highly regarded, multi-talented women in jazz and swing, Smith and Jackson’s extensive experience includes Ronnie Scott’s residencies, BBC Proms, and collaborations with artists such as Seal and The Puppini Sisters in chart-topping releases. Now they lead their own handpicked, diverse and dynamic mix of world-renowned musicians including pianist Nikki Iles, saxophonists Rachel Cohen and Josephine Davis and the spectacular guest vocalist Vula Malinga of Basement Jaxx.

 

Staying true to the genres roots while adding new-wave attitude and inimitable flair, The Big Swing’s mission is to radically reimagine the big band tradition. Audiences can expect a night of music that combines a mix of undeniable classics and new repertoire with swing at its heart and soul. The type of joyful music which makes sitting still in your seat impossible, with a whole host of surprises which will set the place alight.

 

The Big Swing is an unprecedented concept that will undoubtedly one of this years’ EFG London Jazz Festival highlights – a special show not to be missed.


LISTEN. TRAILER.

Georgina Jackson (band leader, trumpet & vocals); Emma Smith (band leader and vocals); Vula Malinga (guest vocalist); Gemma Moore,  Rachel Cohen (alto sax); Josephine Davis, Nadime Theimore (tenor sax); Jessamy Holder (baritone sax); Tom Walsh, Craig Wild, Alexandra Ridout , James Davidson (trumpet); Callum Au, Carol Jarvis, Daniel Higham (trombone); Sarah Williams (bass trombone); Jason Brown (drums); Conor Chaplin (bass); Nikki Iles (piano)

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