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, May 11, 2025

Album review: Sandra-Mae Lux - Seasons in Jazz (Sandra-Mae Music/ECN)

Sandra-Mae Lux (vocals, tenor sax) + Rob Barron (piano); Tristan Paxton (guitar); Calum Gourley (bass); Sebastiaan de Krom (drum) - tks 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11.
Christian Vaughan (piano); Dave Jones (bass); Tristan Maillot (drums) - tks 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13. 

Canadian born, London resident since 2017, Sandra-Mae Lux is a new name to me but, as the saying goes, better late than never! Well that never is now - or it will be on May 30 with the release of this beautiful album of ballads by Lux and her lyricist partner Alan Marriott. 

Inspired by the GASbook classics from the golden era of songwriting that ran from the 1920s to the 1950s, Lux can hold her head high alongside those late, great, trailblazing composers. And, as if that wasn't enough, her voice has that classical jazz feel that is visceral to all of the great songbook interpreters. Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, June Christy, Astrud Gilberto or Chris Connor are names that spring to mind. However, they're no longer with us and none of them could blow tenor like Stan Getz which Sandra-Mae does on Love me Tonight, Perfect Weather and When Autumn Calls.

Ably assisted by two groups of A-Listers I think it is safe to say that Sandra-Mae Lux has well and truly arrived. The album launch of Seasons in Jazz is scheduled for London's 606 Club on May 29. The big question is: Does she have any touring plans beyond the sound of Bow Bells?

I hope so! Lance

Are We Having Fun?; I Don't Need You; When Autumn Calls; Love Me Tonight; That Old Fashioned Thing Called Love; This December Love; It's Only Spring; Everyone Else Knew; Perfect Weather (sax version); Summer's Coming Again;  There's a Door; Perfect Weather: When Autumn Calls (sax version)
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