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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Friday, August 18, 2023

(Press release) Sage Gateshead flings open its doors for an Open House Weekend of free live music experiences for all

Tap your toes to local artists, hear the building’s secrets, get up close to Royal Northern Sinfonia in rehearsal and embarrass your kids on the dance floor…


Sage Gateshead’s doors are wide open on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, with a programme of free events for all to explore and get involved.

Sage Gateshead opens its doors on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September for a major celebration of music making in its first Open House Weekend. Lovers of live music can enjoy free gigs, workshops and tours, or soaking up the sounds while enjoying the view over the Tyne.

You can’t miss the Sage Gateshead building in the Newcastle/Gateshead skyline, but there’s a great view from inside too. Take a free guided tour to hear the stories from nearly twenty years of this much loved building. Sneak into rehearsals and discover hidden spaces.


Musical force of nature (and Cumbria native), Jess Gillam returns to Sage Gateshead for Come Play with Jess Gillam. It’s a rare chance for saxophonists of all levels to watch, learn and play a piece of music with the saxophone superstar.


Free tickets are up for grabs to exclusive, intimate gigs as part of Sage Gateshead’s Artist Development Showcase hosted by Frankie Francis (singer of the band Frankie and The Heartstrings) and up and coming artists will take to the pop-up stage on the concourse throughout the weekend. There’s also an open call for local composers to submit their scores for Royal Northern Sinfonia to play live during the weekend.


Classical music fans can join the Royal Northern Sinfonia Chorus team and learn a song in an hour with Come and Sing with the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia. Or pop into Sage One to get up close and personal with Royal Northern Sinfonia at an open rehearsal.  


The next generation of noise makers and their families can also enjoy special Big Family Music Making workshops for those under 7 years old.


Stop by for an hour, linger for an afternoon, or stick around for the whole weekend. All events are free, and lots are available if you just drop-by during the weekend. To guarantee a spot on the Guided Tours, Family Classics with Royal Northern Sinfonia or Big Family Music Making, book ahead for free at sagegateshead.com/openhouse


A big weekend for music-lovers in the North East, visitors can also buy tickets to enjoy Royal Northern Sinfonia’s bold season opening performing Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto or the meticulously crafted grooves of Nearly Dan’s Anniversary Concert.


Love music? Come on in.

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