Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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, April 09, 2023

Rising Star Vocalist To Release New Music With Live Showcase

(Press release) The renowned singer-songwriter Rebecca Poole (aka Purdy) will return this month with an original song that marks a change of direction to her recent creative endeavours. The new single ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ (ahead of a forthcoming album later this year), sees the charismatic vocalist return to her roots to record a classic jazz track, stripped back to its vital essence in order to allow the perfect showcase of her unique abilities. With nowhere to hide, this is in itself a formidable challenge, however Rebecca Poole’s sincerity and talent shine through on her new work, clearly demonstrating that she has trusted her instincts, followed her heart and decided to write and perform what she truly loves.

Achieving much success in more commercial realms under her moniker ‘Purdy’, Rebecca Poole’s multiple accomplishments include a support tour with Jools Holland’s band, culminating in a mesmerizing performance at The Royal Albert Hall, a recent appearance in Netflix TV series 'The Crown' singing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' and singing to over 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium, not to mention sharing a stage as a guest vocalist with Jamie Cullum at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Rebecca’s creative awareness led her to know that this future project should be separated by definition in style, illustrating her prowess as a multifaceted artist. Because this is undoubtedly her most personal work to date, a return to her birth name seemed natural and appropriate.

 

Rather than covering much performed material by the stars of yesteryear (often safer route), Rebecca Poole will be making the bold move of presenting her own songs to the world, with a full album or original material. This confident approach is testament to Rebecca’s resolute belief in her potential as a singer and a songwriter guided by intuition. The first single ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ captures the artist in a pensive mood, reflecting on past experiences. As Rebecca explains: This album has been calling me for a long time and I cannot express how right it feels to get back to my jazz roots and hear my songs played by the masters of the craft! I feel far away from the beginning of my music journey but somehow back at the start. This first single feels like the best acknowledgment of my journey to 'No Regrets'. The lessons learned, the heartache and self-discovery. It's an honest admission that it was all worthwhile, in order to find the greatest love and contentment. I wouldn't change a thing!

 

Rebecca Poole’s new single and never head before songs from the forthcoming album will be showcased with full live band in the decadent surroundings of Boisdale Canary Wharf. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://boisdaletickets.co.uk/p/8319.


(Editor: Above event has now passed, my apologies for procrastinating. However, Rebecca will be performing at Crazy Coqs on April 22. DETAILS).

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