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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Stedman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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.

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

Monday, May 01, 2023

Preview: Hexham Jazz Festival (May 12-14)

After a long hiatus Hexham Jazz Festival returned last year and it could be said to have been a resounding success - Hexham Abbey the grand setting, the jazz top quality, the weather kind. The 2023 event is set for the long weekend of Friday 12 - Sunday 14 May. Hexham Abbey will once again play host to a series of concerts with the bonus this year of Queen's Hall, Core Music and the Forum Cinema coming on board.

Concerts in Hexham Abbey will be hosted by Jazz FM's Nigel Williams, beginning at 7:00pm on the Friday with the acclaimed Ushaw Ensemble. Directed by Paul Edis, the star-studded line-up doesn't get together too often, so this is your chance! And at half past eight vocalist Rachel Sutton will be on stage with pianist Roland Perrin, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley.

Saturday's programme includes An Evening with Freddie Benedict. Emerging from a stint with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Benedict will be accompanied by pianist Paul Edis, guitarist Jamie McCredie, rising star saxophonist Emma Rawicz, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a seven o'clock start and at 8:30pm Benedict will step aside as the amazing Jo Harrop joins the quintet to sing a choice selection of material. At 10:30pm DJ Nigel Williams will be on the decks and earlier, during the afternoon, there will be performances in the grounds of Hexham Abbey, let's hope the sun shines!

Sunday's action includes a screening of Ernst Lubitsch's 1921 classic Die Bergkatze (The Wild Cat) in the Forum Cinema with live musical accompaniment composed by Graeme Wilson (reeds). The amiable Scot will be joined by pianist Paul Edis, bassist Paul Susans and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a 3:00pm start, something of a one-off, don't miss it! In the evening the focus shifts to Queen's Hall. Guitarist Joe Steels' Borealis takes to the stage at 7:00pm to perform new music written by its bandleader. It's a classy line-up comprising: Ferg Kilsby, trumpet, Asha Nicholson, vocals, Dan Brown piano, Paul Susans bass, and drummer John Hirst. The festival's headline act - vocalist Claire Martin, accompanied by pianist Jamie Safir - closes the show in what promises to be a memorable evening. 

Core Music on Gilesgate will host masterclass sessions (Freddie Benedict and Emma Rawicz), outdoor performances will attract the jazz fan and non-jazz fan alike, let's hope Hexham Abbey and Queen's Hall are packed to the rafters. Details of a range of ticket prices can be found at: www.queenshall.co.uk. Russell           
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