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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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 Community Hall. 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: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

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

Sunday, March 02, 2025

Luis Verde Quartet @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Feb. 28

© Malcolm Sinclair
Luis Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums)

On a spring-like day the Gala's studio space attracted another capacity audience. Relocating from Spain to the north east of England, Luis Verde made a big impression sitting in at Newcastle's Black Swan jam session. It didn't take long before our alto saxophonist picked up gigs across the region - Newcastle (including a cameo appearance at the Newcastle Jazz Festival), Gateshead, Hexham and Darlington. Most of the Jazz at the Gala regulars would be hearing Luis for the first time. 

© Malcolm Sinclair
The printed concert programme (available at the door) indicated the majority of the music would be original material, listing three Luis Verde compositions, two by guitarist Joe Steels, one by bassist John Pope and one by drummer John Hirst. Wayne Shorter's Miyako would, perhaps, be the set list's 'spare'. 

As is sometimes the way with musicians, Luis chose to open with a composition not listed in the programme! The Witching Hour (comp. J. Steels) introduced the quartet; melodic improvisation, group interplay, solo explorations, occasionally of the incendiary kind (principally L. Verde). For the next sixty minutes, Luis didn't say much and when he did, our quietly spoken Spaniard revealed an engaging stage presence. 

Verde's Meteora, Capital del Este and Infinita (the latter heard to great effect at gigs elsewhere across the region) showcased bandleader Luis' compositions; space for the soloist - be it Steels, Pope, Hirst or Luis himself - to stretch out and explore, the quartet a genuine working unit. 

This well-received lunchtime Gala concert introduced Luis Verde to a Durham audience. It is likely to be but the first of many appearances throughout County Durham (and beyond) by the Luis Verde Quartet. Next month's Gala concert (March 28) features the Giles Strong Quartet. Tickets are going fast, don't hesitate, book now at: www.galadurham.co.uk. Russell                                               
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