Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

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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