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

Saturday, September 07, 2024

Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Sept 5

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Josh Bentham (tenor/soprano saxes); Garry Hadfield (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums).

After the summer recess the jazz nights restarted with a guest band, comprising five well-known and highly respected local jazz musicians.

The evening began in great style with the appropriately titled Just Friends showing how tight an ensemble they are enhanced by fine solos from Ian, Josh and Garry not to mention the great backing from Ron on bass and Mark on drums setting the mood for  what was to follow.

Stanley Turrentine's Sugar came next, again with fine solos from keys, guitar and soprano also giving Ron the chance to show his bass skills with an impeccable solo.

Josh played a moving rendition on tenor of God Bless the Child before mood and tempo changed for the funky Eddie Harris number Cold Duck Time.

Stan Getz provided the inspiration for the rarely heard (these days!) bossa nova The Girl From Ipanema and a lively Sunny rounded off the first set.

The swinging blues number Things Ain't What They Used To Be started the second set before the band played the lovely Kern/Fields number A Fine Romance. I don’t think I’ve heard them do this one before.

Josh was again featured on tenor playing How Insensitive and with the fine Latin rhythm provided by the band it made for  a beautiful version.

Another funky number, Benny Golson's Killer Joe, again with fine solos all round, an uptempo take on Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite with the session finally being brought to a close by a fast version of Bryson/Goldberg's Flintstones Theme.

A successful start after the summer recess, with an approving and appreciative audience. A special thanks to both Josh and Garry for standing in at short notice.

Thanks as usual go to the staff at Dorman’s for making the jazz night possible. Ron Hampton

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