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

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 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.

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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