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

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Julija Jacenaite @ the Black Swan - Sept. 11

Julija Jacenaite (vocal, keys) + Paul Ruddick (alto sax)

It had been some time since I last heard Julija so, although circumstances decreed I could only stay for the first set, it was an extremely interesting one. In fact in many ways it was like one of those 'A night with ...' TV shows inasmuch as JJ shared her journey from Lithuania to Newcastle with us, interspersed with  various original songs along the way.

There's something about songs sung in a language that is foreign to me that I find appealing - rather like scat singing or vocalese which have a similar effect.

I was a tad disappointed when she opted to switch from piano accompaniment to backing tracks. Call me old fashioned but I do like to see all of what I'm hearing. Having said that I must confess they did work well - in particular the number sung in Spanish.

Unfortunately, by missing the second set I also missed Paul Riddick sitting in on alto. Ah well, you can't win 'em all and it's good to have JJ back on the scene. Lance

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1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Ačiū / Thanks :)

Sunday, September 14, 2025 11:19:00 am

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