Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18104 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1068 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 25), 82.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

JANUARY 2026

Thu 01: ???

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. No session this week, next one Friday 9th
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Earl Thomas Blues Band @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 04: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free Quintet + guest Josh Bentham (alto sax).
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Revolutionaires @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm (doors). Free. Rocking rockabilly/r&b.

Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

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

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Emily Masser w. the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Opus 4 Jazz Club, Darlington - Sept. 19

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Stockdale (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

A second gig of the day for Emily Masser. Earlier, a full house up the road at Newcastle's Lit & Phil enjoyed an hour of top class vocal jazz from Ms Masser supported by a stellar trio comprising Dean Stockdale (piano), Andy Champion (bass) and drummer Russ Morgan.

Masser and the very same trio made the short trip down to Darlington to play two sets, some of the numbers had been played a few hours earlier, some were getting a first outing of the day (evening). Old Devil Moon (excellent), Dat Dere (excellent), the tunes just kept on coming. Masser, generous to a tee, afforded many solo opportunities to Messrs Stockdale, Champion and Morgan. As Masser stood to one side, the thought occurred that the trio could/should play gigs here, there and everywhere - these guys are that good (see photo). 

A longish first set, a shorter second set (during the interval your correspondent bagged a CD raffle prize), it had been a long day for Ms Masser (on the road at 5:00am). One Note Samba (the one with a million notes), then a scorching Hackensack to close it out. Check out Emily Masser (and her album Songs with My Father), a 'rising star' for sure.  Russell      

Set list: Old Devil MoonDat DereA Foggy DayOn Green Dolphin StreetSecret LoveI'll be Seeing YouIf I Were a BellTake a Little Time to SmileThe Man I LoveEast of the Sun (and West of the Moon)One Note SambaHackensack. 

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