Bebop Spoken There

David Bailey (photographer): ''When I was 16 I wanted to look like Chet Baker. He was my idol - him and James Dean.'' (Talking Pictures documentary : Four beats to the bar and no cheating April, 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

18482 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 346 of them this year alone and, so far this month (April 30 ) 80

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

May

Sun 03: Chilcott Jazz Mass @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 9:30am. Free. Sung communion with Parish Choir (featuring Bob Chilcott’s music). A Jesmond Community Festival event.
Sun 03: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 03: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Mark Toomey (alto sax).
Sun 03: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 03: Tom Waits for No Man @ Oxygenic, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm (2:30pm doors). Neckties and Boxing Gloves album launch. £14.00 (gig & a CD); £8.00 (gig only). SOLD OUT!
Sun 03: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £3.76.
Sun 03: John Pope & John Garner @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 03: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Mon 04: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Pete Tanton’s Cuban Heels @ The Library, South Parade, Whitley Bay. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 05: Leah Kirk (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 2:30pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jenny Baker (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 4:20pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Tue 05: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 06: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 06: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 06: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 07: Robert Finley @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50. Excellent US falsetto soul/blues voice.
Thu 07: ALT @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Rob Walker. Thu 07: Liam & Shayo @ The Globe , Newcastle. 8:00pm. £5.00. Liam Oliver (guitar), Shayo Oshodi (vocals).
Thu 07: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 08: Alan Law Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Law, Mick Shoulder, John Bradford.
Fri 08: Giles Strong & Richard Herdman @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Guitar duo.
Fri 08: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 08: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 6:00pm . Free. A Late Shows event.
Fri 08: Nigel Kennedy @ The Hippodrome, Darlington. 7:30pm. Line-up inc. Alec Dankworth.

Sat 09: SH#RP Collective w. Lindsay Hannon @ Church of Holy Name, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £15.00 (inc. a welcome drink). Advance booking essential. Bring own snacks, drinks to be purchased at ‘donations’ bar. All proceeds to charity. A Jesmond Community Festival event.
Sat 09: East Coast Swing Band @ Jubilee Hall, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £10.00.

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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