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

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Northumberland Jazz Festival: Catriona Bourne @ Queen's Hall, Hexham - May 25

Catriona Bourne (harp, flute); Francis Tulip (guitar); Sam Quintana (double bass, bass guitar); Steve Hanley (drums)

This month's Sunday afternoon Queen's Hall jazz concert was neatly incorporated into this year's Northumberland Jazz Festival. It isn't every day that you'll hear a harp on a jazz gig and it was refreshing that many of the Sunday regulars came along with open ears to listen to Catriona Bourne and her excellent band.

Bourne's imposing instrument took centre stage, guitarist Francis Tulip to her right and, tucked in behind, bassist Sam Quintana and drummer Steve 'Big Chief' Hanley. The title track of Bourne's 2024 album, Triquetra, opened the hour long programme. The set would incorporate jazz, folk and classical elements, all five tunes written by Ms Bourne. 

Bourne spoke of her Celtic heritage (ceilidhs etc!), folklore and family. Sligachan Bridge (heard on BBC Radio 3) featured Bourne's frontline sparring partner, the new look, lean-looking Francis Tulip. Guitarist Tulip is not unknown in these here parts and this afternoon's gig reminded us just how good a musician he is. Superb modern jazz guitar playing.

Bourne's 'up north' tour made best use of Leeds based Sam Quintana and Steve Hanley. Drafted in for the regional dates, Bourne couldn't have been other than impressed with the ace
pairing. 

Bandleader Bourne made reference to the jazz harp players of yesteryear and the following day (Monday) at Blyth's Yamaha Music School, Bourne would play a couple of numbers composed by her trailblazing predecessors.     

Catriona Bourne closed her set with a new composition, Cross Current. A new album is in the pipeline, keep an eye and ear open for it.
                          
Set list: Triquetra; Coronach; Sligachan Bridge; Rowan; Lannigan; Cross Current.  
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