That was a very good year for jazz, wasn't it? 2023 that is. Packed houses, sold out notices, a 'one in, one out' system in operation at a jam session (honestly!), who said: Jazz is dead?! At BSH HQ (that's Hebburn, South Tyneside) it's time look forward to this year, 2024. And what a year it promises to be! On the local scene (broadly Tyneside, up north to Berwick, down to the Tees Delta and west to Hexham and sundry Tyne Valley outposts) there are many great gigs to look forward to. And there is 'local' interest further afield, both nationally and internationally...
The award-winning Globe (Newcastle Jazz Co-op's community owned venue) has some very tasty looking gigs lined up, Jeremy McMurray's bi-monthly concert presentation at Arc, Stockton is invariably a sellout and Sunderland is on the up. That's a revitalised Wearside jazz scene and SAFC! The Fire Station (adjacent to the Empire) is one of several jewels in Sunderland's much-touted 'Cultural Quarter' and then there is a no-expense-spared new venue, step forward Seventeen Nineteen (see photo). Dating from 1719 (hence the name), the renovated Georgian church in Hendon is to present a monthly jazz concert, the first one featuring Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche (the date for your diary - Friday 15 March). First the Fire Station, now Seventeen Nineteen. Wearsiders unite, support your local jazz venues!
Monthly lunchtime sessions in Bishop Auckland, Durham and Newcastle go from strength to strength, this year presenting some of the very best musicians based right here on BSH's doorstep alongside several high profile national names and one or two international guests. Similarly, lunchtime Dixieland/New Orleans residencies continue to thrive (Cullercoats, Holywell, Monkseaton, Stockton).
There's more, much more. Jazz North East will be presenting a slew of gigs across Newcastle and at the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead), 2024 marks Blaydon Jazz Club's 40th anniversary year. BJC's first concert of the year presents the brilliant jazz guitar duo of James Birkett and Bradley Johnston (Monday 18 March at the Black Bull on Bridge Street). Jam sessions abound - the Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre (first and third Tuesdays in the month), the Globe's various sessions (Sundays and Wednesdays) and over in Gateshead a first Sunday evening in the month session at the Schooner on South Shore Road.
The New Century Ragtime Orchestra will embark upon a mammoth tour comprising all of two concert dates. Two gigs in a calendar year for the NCRO constitutes a tour! Dorman's (Darlington), Claypath Deli (Durham), Hops and Cheese (Hartlepool), Gosforth Civic Theatre (Newcastle), King's Hall (Newcastle, Thursday lunchtime, term time), Prohibition Bar (Newcastle), they'll all be chipping in throughout the year. Part two tomorrow...Russell
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