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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

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.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. 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

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals, guitar, piano), Stage 3 Final Recital @ Music Studios, Newcastle University - May 9

Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals, guitar, piano) + Ross Carbis (keyboards, guitar); Rhian Wilkinson (bass); Matt Connor (drums); Josh Scott (trumpet); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Conor Emery (trombone); Jessica Bartlett (backing vocals, percussion); Cara Britton (backing vocals); Chiara Todisco (backing vocals)

Seen and heard gigging around town, often at the Black Swan jam session, on this sunny Thursday afternoon in May, vocalist Remi Coulthard-Boardman was to present his Final Recital. Arriving at the Music Studios on Assembly Lane, the basement space was buzzing in anticipation. All seats taken, Remi took to the stage with his nine piece band. Over the course of forty minutes or so we witnessed a soul-blues performance of the highest calibre. 

Beginning with Moondance, Remi's programme notes read: [Moondanceprovides a nice platform for me to showcase the dynamic range in my voice...And what a voice! If you're into soulful blues, Remi and his ace band is the band to hear. Accompanying himself on guitar or keyboards, it's the voice that does it. Working with a rhythm section, horn section and three top-notch backing vocalists was a good move. Stevie Wonder's Master Blaster (Jammin') typified Remi's set, as did Prince's Kiss (Remi's notes cheekily referring to this afternoon's audience which would, perhaps, enter into some audience participation:...hopefully a room full of academics can click [their fingers] at a steady tempo.). 

Tracy Chapman's 1999 live version of Give Me One Reason, featuring Eric Clapton, enabled Remi to showcase his guitar playing and, generously, spotlighting the vocal talents of Jessica Bartlett (one of Remi's three backing singers). Remi closed his recital with the second of two original compositions, A Little More Light.. Suffice to say, it wasn't out of place, not one bit. 

Remi Coulthard-Boardman's recital transcended the 'examinee-under-pressure' scenario, this was a 'sit-up-and-take-notice' performance of astonishing maturity. A great voice, a real presence, Remi CB is the 'real deal'. Russell                    

Set list (* original composition): MoondanceMaterial Love*; Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)Master Blaster (Jammin')Easier Said Than DoneLosing YouKissGive Me One ReasonA Little More Light*.

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