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

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Press release/album review: Scarborough Jazz Festival - Live compilation CD 2024

The team behind Scarborough Jazz Festival are proud to present a compilation recording of their 2024 performances, ahead of this year’s festival forthcoming in September.

Now in its 22nd year, Scarborough Jazz Festival has built a solid, long-term reputation as an important jazz event, featuring a diverse, high-quality line up of leading musicians each year. Much of its success can be attributed to its founder Mike Gordon and current festival director Mark Gordon, who have both worked tirelessly to secure and coordinate performances from some of the world’s finest musicians, thus taking its reputation from strength to strength.

Now with an official, high-quality recording of the 2024 edition, the festival is set to attract a new wave of positive attention from loyal fans and newcomers alike, to this year’s concerts.

The 2024 Scarborough Jazz Festival album truly captures the essence of what occurs and provides an enjoyable and vivid idea of what to expect. Recorded for the very first time, the recording charts a diverse course through some of their most exciting concerts, with luminaries as varied as Elaine Delmar, Fergus McCreadie, Alan Barnes, Nigel Price, Alison Rayner and Gareth Lockrane all featuring, to name just a few of the multitalented artists that have showcased their skills to all proceedings.

The 2025 Scarborough Jazz Festival is set to be just as exciting, with performances from luminaries such as Emma Rawicz, Simon Spillett, Emily Masser, Alan Barnes and Gaz Hughes confirmed to name just a few.


Speaking about the 2024 recording and 2025 festival line up, director Mark Gordon says: “The 2024 festival was a resounding success, and I’m delighted that we were able to capture the essence of the festival on this fabulous double CD. My eternal thanks go to all the wonderful musicians that made it possible! With artist bookings for 2025 all but complete, I’m extremely excited about the line-up, which promises to make this year’s SJF a truly special event.”

Mark Gordon and his team continue to present the highest quality music, catering to all tastes across the jazz spectrum, as demonstrated by the 2025 program and the 2024 recording. The album will undoubtedly generate much excitement and anticipation for this year’s line-up, set to be the best yet!

The Scarborough Jazz Festival is set within the serene surroundings of the Scarborough Spa complex, a beautiful building and state of the art entertainment venue, providing its own unique atmosphere that serves to enhance the performances of each artist at the festival.

For more details and to book tickets, please visit:

https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/scarborough-jazz-festival

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