Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18918 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 782 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 18.) 61.

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

September.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Tue 22: ???

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 7:30pm. A John Coltrane Centenary Concert (b. 23. 09. 1926). SOLD OUT!
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 24: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 24: Arun Ghosh @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £21.05. (£22.00. on the door). A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Thu 24: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 25: Mark Williams Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Get the Blessing + Dilettante @ The Cluny (Cluny 2), Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00. + bf. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Fri 25: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Friday, May 09, 2025

VE Day 80th Anniversary concert @ Sunderland's Fire Station - May 8

As the Fire Station's full house made its way into the auditorium it was somewhat alarming to be 'piped-in' by...a bagpiper! A lone piper standing centre stage 'entertained' the party-goers, many of them sporting Union Jack bowler hats, t-shirts, knitted jumpers and the like, some waving flags. They were determined to have a good time - whether your correspondent liked it or not. 

The advertised multi-bill meant we waited the best part of an hour and a half before the Wearside Swing Band took to the stage. An all-star band, assembled by Jason Holcomb, the brief was to play 'Glenn  Miller'. Trombonists Holcomb and Conor Emery did 'the business' alongside the many familiar 'suited and booted' faces in the band. String of Pearls, Tuxedo Junction - the audience loved it, your correspondent made notes...

Sarah Martin, a Wearsider living in London, joined the band to sing a couple of numbers, including a spirited At Last. As gigs go, this celebration of VE Day must have been a doddle for the A-listers in the band, everyone present - performers and audience - had a good time, you couldn't knock it.                  

Wearside Swing Band: Jason Holcomb (MD, trombone); Conor Emery (trombone); Faye McCalman, Alex Saxon, Josh Bentham (reeds); Graham Hardy, ?, Sam Armstrong (trumpets); Stuart Davies (guitar); Alix Shepherd (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Sarah Martin (vocals)

Earlier, comic and one time radio presenter, Alfie Joey, compered the evening's entertainment. Moments of solemnity and hilarity, dance routines (Sunderland College dance students) and London based Sarah Martin singing some WWII (and other) songs to backing tapes made for a fast-moving revue.         

Alfie Joey (compere) + piper + readings + Sarah Martin  (vocals) + Sunderland College dance students + youth choir  
Russell
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