Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Press release : Ian Millar (saxophone) & Dominic Spencer (piano) @ Middleton Village Hall - May 30

Jazz in the Village

The UKs hardest working jazz group!

"Very cool music played in a magical atmosphere - this will appeal to jazz novices as well as hardcore enthusiasts." Three Weeks Magazine

Appearing at: MIDDLETON VILLAGE HALL Registered charity number: 522088

Middleton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 4RA (10 miles west of Morpeth)
Friday 30th May 7.30pm
- £12. Accompanied under 16s free.

Ian and Dominic are unique in the UK Jazz community taking their blend of melodic jazz standards and original compositions to rural communities all over the UK. They use programmable lighting and table lights to create a wonderful intimate atmosphere for the music.

They tell stories of their travels in their tour bus - an old converted Yorkshire ambulance, in an entertaining evening of creative music and enthusiastic joy.

We are delighted to be performing all over the UK in a variety of venues with many sell out concerts and record sales in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival” says Ian

We are now also making many return visits to venues up and down the country. Throughout lock down we called ourselves the Socially Distanced Duo now we’re getting out and meeting our audience again!” says Dominic

“Middleton Village Hall is delighted to host Ian & Dominic. It is in keeping with the long tradition of staging different performances to inspire a range of tastes and audiences” says George Courtice, a trustee at the hall.

Ticket bookings:- 07855 444719

or email: georgecourtice@btinternet.com

Licensed bar

To find out more about Dominic and Ian visit:

www.millarandspencer.co.uk

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