Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

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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