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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 2025).

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

17985(and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 306 of them this year alone and, so far, 62 this month (April 26).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Wed 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 30: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 30: International Jazz Day @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £16.00.; £14.00. adv.. Feat. Guido Spannocchi, John Pope & Steve Hanley + Take it to the Bridge participants + SH#RP Collective with Lindsay Hannon - open rehearsal.

MAY 2025

Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (piano); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Mark Hawkins (drums); Adrian Beadnell (bass).

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.

Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Struggle Buggy @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 04: Boys of Brass @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Ben Crosland Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £14.00. Tel: 0191 237 3697. ‘Victory in Europe Afternoon Tea’ (VE Day 80th anniversary).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: FILM: Whiplash @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:15pm.

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

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Survey reveals over 1 in 4 Professional Musicians Skipped a Meal due to Cost of Living Crisis

26% of musicians have skipped a meal within the last 12 months due to cost of living crisis.

  • 90% feel unconfident in the UK government’s ability to handle the crisis
  • 64% have seen their number of gigs decrease as a result of the crisis
  • 79% think it’s likely rising fuel prices will limit how far they can travel for gigs
  • 51% have taken a second job as a result of cost of living crisis
  • Young and female musicians are the most likely to have seen a drop in gigs
A recent survey of 301 musicians, by Encore Musicians (a musician booking platform), revealed that 26% of professional musicians, have skipped a meal due to the cost of living crisis. This is well over the national average of 14% recently reported in the Guardian (Source: TUC), suggesting musicians are struggling more than most.  

The Encore study also revealed a worrying trend of musicians turning away from their profession with 51% of musicians reporting that they'd taken a second job to supplement their income as a result of the cost of living crisis. The most popular jobs musicians are pivoting towards were teacher, administrator and retail worker while the least common were vet, psychotherapist and coroner. A further 23% are considering taking on a new job, with only 26% feeling confident enough in their prospects to concentrate solely on their music career.  

The crisis has hit musicians particularly hard, due to their heavy reliance on car travel. Increases in fuel prices mean that 79% of musicians reported they would be reducing how far they travelled to gigs this year. This is also exacerbated by travel limitations resulting from Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Encore, the UK’s largest musician booking platform, released this data, ahead of the Budget this week, calling on Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer to ensure musicians aren’t left behind. 

Quote from James McAulay, CEO and co-founder: 
“The Budget this week is one of the most important for musicians in recent times. The vast majority of musicians are still recovering from the devastating impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods, and Brexit has made touring significantly harder and significantly less viable for musicians.

It’s absolutely vital that Lucy Frazer doesn’t neglect the impact of the rising cost of living on our musicians. Energy companies are making record profits while our musicians are reporting skipping meals, taking on additional jobs, and switching off their heating. Government confidence among the live music sector is low, and it's not a surprise that 90% of the musicians we surveyed don't have faith in the government's ability to handle the Cost of Living crisis.

Live music is one of Britain's greatest exports. The Budget on Wednesday is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate that it values British musicians' contributions to the economy. Now is the time for strong and decisive action to ensure our thriving industry, which contributes so much to the economy, isn’t left behind.”
 
CASE STUDIES

UKRAINIAN REFUGEE CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION
"I moved to the UK last year to avoid the war in Ukraine and am grateful I have started finding work here. But now the rising cost of living is making it extremely challenging to pay the bills as a full-time musician. If the government doesn't do something to help, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue performing." 
Aleksey, professional saxophonist, Ukrainian war refugee   

CRISIS FUNDS ARE A LIFELINE
“I have received help with my energy bill through the PRS crisis fund, without this support I would have had serious financial problems.”
Ricky, professional sitar player and artist

TOURING ARTISTS NEED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
“Many people assume that touring musicians make lots of money however this is far from reality. Musicians would really benefit from support from the government, particularly for new touring artists.”
Chloe, professional folk singer and guitarist

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
 
Which musicians are being impacted most by the crisis?
  • Age: The youngest (18-24) have been most impacted, with 75% reporting a drop in bookings as a result of the crisis. 

  • Genre: Pop musicians, were the genre represented who have been hit the hardest, with 77% saying the number of gigs had somewhat or definitely decreased as a result of the cost of living crisis.

  • Gender: Women were more likely to have lost work, with 70% saying their number of gigs had decreased as a result of the crisis, against 64% men  

  • Region: Scottish and Welsh musicians were more likely to report a drop in gigs than those based in England, with drops in gigs reported from 83% and 75% of musicians in those regions respectively vs a 65% for English musicians.  

Which second jobs are musicians taking on? 
  • By far the most popular jobs which musicians are taking on unsurprisingly relate to music. 27% reported taking on increased music tutoring. 

  • Other popular new jobs musicians had taken on included being an administrator (10%), school teaching (10%) and retail (6%).

  • Some musicians reported second jobs which were far removed from music work such as working as a vet, a coroner and a psychotherapist.  

Musicians are switching to more local gigs
  • 79% think it’s quite or very likely rising fuel prices will limit how far they travel for gigs.

  • In 2022, musicians spent 25% more on travel than 2021, an additional annual bill of over £130.  

Musicians are struggling to get gigs
  • 39% of musicians have witnessed customers cancelling their bookings as a result of rising cost of living. 

  • Overall 66% said their number of gigs has decreased in the last 12 month as a result of the crisis, 25% reported no change, while 9% said gigs had increased.

Energy bills and mental health are top concerns 
  • When asked which financial areas musicians were most concerned about most said energy bills (61%), followed by rent (16%) and food (14%).
  • 91% have deliberately lowered their heating usage. 

  • 68% said it’s adversely affected their mental health.

Not all musicians have seen a drop in bookings 
  • There are some signs that the crisis is not being felt yet by all musicians, with 1 in 3 saying their booking numbers had stayed the same or even increased. 

  • Classical musicians reported being the least affected with 46% saying their number of gigs had stayed the same or increased since the crisis (survey taken before BBC cuts announced).

Support for musicians 
  • The most popular places of support for musicians reported were PRS, Help Musicians UK and the Musicians Union, and ISM. 

About EncoreEncore Musicians is a marketplace platform with over 42,000 registered live musicians in the UK. So far, Encore has helped artists earn over £5 million and provided live music for over 10,000 events ranging from weddings and birthday parties to corporate parties and festivals. 

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

This sort of thing needs to be addressed from the inside too. Rumour has it that a well known former figure on the North East jazz scene pretends to want to help less well off musicians but really only helps private school educated wealthy ones and embarrasses the working class musicians, resulting in them getting less work and money. Very few people on the inside want to sort this issue out .

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