Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Preview: Alice & Pav are coming to the Black Swan - book now!

At the Black Swan next week (Tuesday 28) two of the shining lights on the Tyneside jazz scene will resume their winning duo partnership. A few short years ago, sitting in at a late night Gateshead International Jazz Festival jam session, vocalist Alice Grace burst onto the scene with an incandescent performance. Guitarist Pawel Jedrzejewski, a BMus (Hons.) graduate of James Birkett's highly regarded Jazz, Commercial and Popular Music degree course, is never less than immaculate when working with the magnificent Strictly Smokin' Big Band, Not Now Charlie and other ensembles. 

In 2019 Alice and Pav released A Timeless Place. The album is a delightful combination of familiar numbers and original compositions. On Tuesday 28 February Alice and Pav will be in concert at the Black Swan (home to legendary jam sessions) in the basement in Newcastle Arts Centre where they'll be performing material old and, hopefully, new. Hey guys, it's time for a new album! If you're yet to venture through the courtyard (off Westgate Road, more or less opposite the Old Assembly Rooms) and descend the stairs into the venue, there couldn't be a better time. Check out the venue's website - www.newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk  - and book yourself advance tickets (£10). That's Alice and Pav, Tuesday 28th, eight o'clock start. See you there! Russell

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