Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18754 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 618 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 28) 82

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

July Thu 30: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 30: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes. .

Fri 31: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 31: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: Milne Glendinning Band @ Repas 7 by Night, Berwick. 8:00-9:00pm. £6.00. A Berwick Fringe Festival event. £6.00 (£6.00 wristband access to all Fringe events).

August

Sat 01: Jazz Weekend workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am. £95.00. Tutors: Nel Begley & Paul Edis: Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop. Day 1/2.
Sat 01: Jim Wright’s Rhythm Deluxe @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 01: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Saltburn Bandstand. 2:30-4:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Milne Glendinning Band @ Leonard’s Coffee House, Durham. 6:20pm. £7.00. A Durham Fringe Festival. 1/2.
Sat 01: Paul Skerritt Swing Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 8:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: The Swing Commanders @ The Amphitheatre, Stockton. 9:00-10:30pm. Free. Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Sun 02: Jazz Weekend workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am. £95.00. Tutors: Nel Begley & Paul Edis: Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop. Day 2/2.
Sun 02: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 02: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Sue Ferris.
Sun 02: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 02: Milne Glendinning Band @ Leonard’s Coffee House, Durham. 6:20pm. £7.00. A Durham Fringe Festival event. 2/2.
Sun 02: Nel Begley & Paul Edis @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday evening (Sept. 26)

Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday evening (Sept. 26)

The Friday evening session here on South Bay attracted a similarly large crowd to the afternoon's opening programme. And little wonder with Trish Clowes, Gaz Hughes and Alan Barnes on the bill.
 

Trish Clowes: My Iris


Taking to the stage, Trish Clowes informed the audience that due to a family illness, Chris Montague was unable to appear. In guitarist Montague's absence, Clowes chose to perform her set of original material and select standards as a trio: Clowes, Ross Stanley (sitting at his vintage Hammond) and drummer Joel Barford.       


Trish Clowes (tenor sax); Ross Stanley (piano, Hammond organ); Joel Barford (drums)

 

A slew of original numbers, some of them new, Jobim's Midnight Sun, Richard Rodgers, Clowes appeared to be in a relaxed mood. As and when required, Stanley stoked the fires and Barford needed little encouragement. A fine, mature set from Clowes and co.   

  

Gaz Hughes Trio


Andrzej Baranek (piano); Gavin Barras (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

 

If Gaz Hughes is on the bill you're guaranteed a bop-infused set. Our amiable drummer wasn't about to disappoint and he didn't. Mixing original compositions with choice standards, the Gaz Hughes Trio grabbed the attention of a near full house. It's Hughes' trio, for sure, however, it helps to have a marvellous pianist on the gig. The marvellous pianist in question being Andrzej Baranek. Frequently winning applause for some scintillating work, Baranek acknowledged his audience, frequently giving it 'thumbs up'. Bassist Gavin Barras swung it - when doesn't he? The Gaz Hughes Trio is a festival favourite, a jazz club favourite, quite simply, a favourite trio.          


Alan Barnes' Works of Art


The name 'Alan Barnes' is synonymous with Scarborough Jazz Festival. For many years AB has been festival compere here at Scarborough. It seems as though our reedsman knows everyone at the Spa. Come to think of it, he probably does.     

                           

Alan Barnes (sax); James Davison (trumpet); Robin Aspland (piano); Jeremy Brown (double bass); Steve Brown (drums)

In this, the centenary year of Art Pepper (b.1.9.2025), Alan Barnes wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to tip his hat to the great American alto saxophonist. Angel Wings, Las Cuevas de Mario, Mambo del la Pinta, Barnes was, as ever, 'on it'. The rhythm section - pianist Robin Aspland, and the two Browns (Jeremy, double bass, Steve, drums) - couldn't be bettered. The set's revelation came in the form of trumpeter James Davison. Known to BSH as a section player with several big bands, including the BBC Big Band and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra, this small group engagement enabled Barnes' front line partner to be heard to great effect. Superb! It had been an excellent first day here at the 2025 Scarborough Jazz Festival. Russell    

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