Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Preview: The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (March 1 - 3)

It's that time of year again. For the big band fan, this weekend all roads lead to Chester-le-Street. Now in its 21st year, the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival attracts big bands from all points, keen to participate in one of the great events in the big band calendar. Year round preparations are all but complete, the weather forecast is set fair (ie no snow!), let (friendly) battle commence!

The action gets underway on Friday evening (8:00pm) with a concert double bill featuring Musicians Unlimited and a specially assembled Festival Big Band. Based in Hartlepool, Mick Donnelly's Musicians Unlimited is one of the region's premier big bands. Boasting an array of fine soloists, topped off by a couple of excellent big band vocalists, the GNBBJF is guaranteed to get off to a flying start. 

The GNBBJF is staged at Park View Community Centre. The venue is located just off Front Street in Chester-le-Street (DH3 3PZ), ample parking is available and numerous buses (from/to Durham and Newcastle) drop off on Front Street (two mins from the venue). Admission on Friday evening is £10.00 (pay at the door). The competitive action gets underway at 11:00am on Saturday (£15.00.) and Sunday (£10.00.) and there's a value for money weekend ticket priced at £20.00. If you love big band jazz, the GNBBJF is the event for you! Russell            

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