Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 17: Homer’s Lane + John Garner & John Pope @ St John’s Church, Riding Mill. 2:00-4:00pm. Free. Gabriele Heller’s audio play + Garner & Pope.
Sat 17: Martyn Roper @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 5:00pm. Free. Roper’s ‘One Man Blues Band’.
Sat 17: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 17: Alexia Gardner Trio @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). Gardner, Alan Law & Jude Murphy.

Sun 18: Louis Louis Louis @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 2:00pm (doors). £15.00. Swing, jump jive, rhythm & blues. Fundraiser for St Oswald’s Hospice.
Sun 18: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Trio + Rod Sinclair.
Sun 18: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm.
Sun 18: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 18: Herdman-Strong Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 19: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

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

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Press release: Christmas @ Ronnie's

Giacomo Smith's Big Band present Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and More

5:30pm, Thursday 4th – Saturday 6th December 2025
Italian-born clarinettist, saxophonist and composer Giacomo Smith’s Big Band has become a Ronnie Scott’s Christmas tradition. Formed during Kansas Smitty’s livestreams in 2020 with a performance of Ellington and Strayhorn’s Nutcracker, the band now mixes Smith’s original arrangements with swinging classics from Goodman, Basie, and Ellington. The lineup includes standout soloists Joe Webb, Pete Horsfall, Daniel Higham, Alec Harper, Rico Tommaso, Laura Jurd, and more.

Emma Smith presents Snowbound
12pm, Sunday 7th December 2025
https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/emma-smith-presents-snowbound
This show promises festive magic with brand-new arrangements of classics like Ella Fitzgerald’s I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm and Barbra Streisand’s Snowbound. Smith has performed everywhere from the O2 Arena to world-class jazz clubs, collaborating with Michael Bublé, Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, Postmodern Jukebox, Bobby McFerrin, and Seal.


A Georgia Cécile Kinda Christmas!

5.30pm & 8.30pm, Wednesday 10th – Thursday 11th December 2025
Double Jazz FM award-winner Georgia Cécile presents a live Christmas special with original and classic tunes infused with late-60s jazz grooves. Inspired by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Esperanza Spalding, Cécile, whose debut album topped the UK Jazz & Blues charts, performs with her talented band and a stellar brass section for a festive, stylish celebration.

Liane Carroll's Cold Turkey!

12pm – 6pm, Friday 26th December 2025 
Join acclaimed jazz vocalist Liane Carroll with bassist Roger Carey and drummer Russell Field for a mix of her hits, classic jazz, festive tunes, and a touch of Tom Waits-style humour, perfectly paired with champagne, cocktails, and hangover treats.

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