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

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.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Sat 22: Durham Alumni Big Band + Durham Alumni All Stars + Swing Manouche @ Darlington Market Place. From 1:00pm. Free. The All Stars (1:00pm); The Alumni (2:00-4:00pm); Swing Manouche (4:15pm).

Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Preview: The GNBBJF is coming to Chester-le-Street (March 3 - 5)

The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival is coming to Chester-le-Street! From its beginnings in Sunderland, supported by the University of Sunderland and other local organisations, in recent years the GNBBJF relocated to Chester-le-Street. This weekend's event, its 20th anniversary year, at Park View Community Centre runs from Friday evening (March 3) through to early Sunday evening (March 5). If you like big band jazz the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival is the one event you cannot afford to miss!

Friday evening presents a double bill of big band jazz. Mick Donnelly's Musicians Unlimited will be supported by a hand picked Festival Band. The action gets under way at eight o'clock, admission on the door is a mere fiver and the bar will be open!

Saturday and Sunday are the event's competition days. First up on Saturday, its the senior bands featuring community ensembles (including the ever-popular Tyne Valley Big Band) and a plethora of terrific student outfits (including Durham University Big Band and Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra). Not that the local bands will have it all their own way, far from it. Coach loads of top class bands from all points will be descending on Chester-le-Street determined to take home some silverware. The Managers Big Band will be defending a long winning streak. If there's a band good enough to dethrone the band from Bolton it's going to be some band!!! Saturday begins bright and early at 11:00am. Hot food and a bar will be available and it's £10.00. admission. A great day is in prospect.

Sunday dawns early, it's another 11:00am start! And what a day lies ahead. Schools and youth big bands will be sharing centre stage. Bands based in the region will have their supporters rooting for them, as will young musicians who have travelled a distance. They come from all over, some setting off at the crack of dawn to make it to Chester-le-Street on time. This is the day to support the stars of tomorrow, a tenner at the door. 

During the weekend the Mark Jon Bolderson Percussion Foundation will once again set out its stall at Park View Community Centre, do say 'hello' to Amanda and friends. And it's more than likely the Musicians Union will be in attendance once more. Park View Community Centre is located just off Front Street in Chester-le-Street, buses galore (inc. the X21 and 21 run to and from Newcastle, Durham and Bishop Auckland). You like big band jazz? See you at this weekend's Great North Big Band Jazz Festival! Russell         
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