Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Press release: Musicians Georgia Mancio & Dave Ohm start monthly jazz club in Crystal Palace, in association with local venue, Hopscotch Taprooms

Multi-award-winning vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio (Alan Broadbent, ReVoice! Festival, Kate Williams), and acclaimed drummer, Dave Ohm (Ian Shaw, Benny Golson, Gregory Porter), announce their second jazz club venture, following their takeover of the long-standing Eltham Jazz Club (Hugh & Marion’s) in November 2022.

Crystal Palace Jazz Club will meet on the first Tuesday in the month, from 3 September, in the magical downstairs whisky and cocktail bar at Hopscotch Taprooms, right in the heart of the vibrant Triangle. Each month, Georgia and Dave will invite some of the UK’s finest musicians to collaborate with them, including award-winning guitarist/bandleader Nigel Price (3 September), virtuoso flautist/pianist Gareth Lockrane (1 October), world-acclaimed saxophonist Tony Kofi (5 November) and rising star guitarist Sam Dunn (3 December).

Crystal Palace residents for 15 years, Georgia and Dave were encouraged to start the club by Hopscotch owner Matthew Clark and investor Andy Richardson, who prize live music as one of the key elements to their business. Indeed Clark was formerly a sound engineer in his native New Zealand and Richardson is also a bassist and vocalist. Hopscotch opened early this year, high up on Westow Hill with its stunning views across London. A charming café with a sunny courtyard garden by day, that transforms into a candlelit bar at night.

Crystal Palace Jazz Club will take place in the atmospheric bar downstairs, with seating arranged concert style for around 30-35 people. The intimacy of this space (reminiscent of famed New York counterpart, Mezzrow), with its excellent, warm acoustics, envelops the audience in the music. There are also a few great spots further back in the room, alongside the bar itself, with its incredible selection of 170 whiskies, rums and bourbons, and plant foraged cocktails, some made with spirits over 50 years old!

“We have lived in and loved Crystal Palace for many years and are excited to be creating memorable musical experiences, with world-class musicians in this gem of a venue.” Georgia Mancio and Dave Ohm

Website: www.linktr.ee/crystalpalacejazzclub

Instagram: @crystalpalacejazzclub2024

Address: Crystal Palace Jazz Club at Hopscotch

Taprooms, 54 Westow Hill, London SE19 1RX

Tickets: £20 (booking ahead advisable)

Times: 8 – 10.30pm (doors 7pm)

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