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

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

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

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle - Dec. 27

Martyn Roper (guitar, harmonica, kazoo, vocals); Ian Blackburn (double bass, backing vocals); Billy Hickling (drums, washboard, backing vocals)

A fleeting (first set only) visit to Billy Bootleggers. As a 'sound engineer' simultaneously set the levels for the evening's gig and blasted out one tune after another (quite a feat!), post-Christmas revellers were determined to revel, noisily). A Camden Pale, a Guinness, a half of Pepsi in a pickle jar (the Ouseburn watering hole's distinctive 'offer'), Leeds City Stompers would soon take to the stage. 

Martyn Roper's trio opened in booting (sans sax) Shake, Rattle and Roll style. A 1935 resonator guitar and a pedalboard weren't 'a thing' way back when, 'never the twain' sprang to mind. 1920s, '30s, '40s, fifties' Elvis to Johnny Cash (Folsom Prison Blues) made for an eclectic set list. The punters - some clapping along, some clapping along in their own time - were revelling in it. They were having a good time and that's all that matters, isn't it?                   

Set list included: Shake, Rattle and Roll; Sweet Home Chicago; On the Sunny Side of the Street; After You've Gone; That's Alright; Kansas City. Russell
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