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

Sunday, January 01, 2023

January preview

It's a busy start to 2023. Many musicians, promoters and venues are back in the swing, banking on audiences turning out during the long, dark days of January. It's been some time since Martin Bennett last ventured onto BSH's patch. Catch his Old Green River Band at Saltburn Community Hall on Friday 6. The Exchange on Howard Street in North Shields hosts a rare gig by Panharmonia on Sunday 8. It's the toss of a coin on Tuesday 10 - the vocals of Jan Spencelayh (The Forum, Darlington) or the reeds of Alex Clarke (see photo) at the Globe, Newcastle. 

Thursday 12 sees the first album launch of the year at Prohibition Bar on Pink Lane, Newcastle as the Abbie Finn Trio unveils material from the new album, appropriately titled, On Pink Lane

Thursday 19 do you go to the Schooner on South Shore Road, Gateshead to hear the Mo Scott Band or Tom Atkinson's ace band paying homage to Pharoah Sanders at Newcastle Jazz Co-op's HQ on Railway Street? Decisions, decisions. The following day (Friday 20) it's Emma Fisk and James Birkett at Newcastle's Lit & Phil (lunchtime) and in the evening at the Traveller's Rest, Darlington, it's Opus 4 Jazz Club's first promotion of the year featuring pianist Dean Stockdale's excellent Celebrating Oscar set. Dean (pictured) will be working with an all-star line-up, highly recommended. Note, the Lit & Phil concert is sold out. However, it could be worth calling the venue on Tuesday (it's closed on Monday 2) to request that your name be added to the waiting list (0191 232 0192)

Whenever and wherever the Gerry Richardson Quartet is out gigging it should be all but compulsory to be there! One of the great bands, be sure to get along to the Globe on Sunday 22. It's a tenner in advance (book at: www.jazz.coop) or twelve quid on the door. 

Finally, on Friday 27 Durham's Gala Theatre resumes its lunchtime concert series with an appearance by the award-winning Zoë Gilby and her quartet. Call the box office (from Tuesday 3) on 03000 266 600. If you hesitate, likely as not, you'll find it's an advance sell out! By way of contrast, in the evening at the Lit & Phil, Jazz North East presents a heavyweight quartet featuring John DikemanPat ThomasJohn Edwards and Steve Noble. Call the venue from 9:30am Tuesday - 0191 232 0192. Be quick or risk missing out! Russell 

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