Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18656 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 520 of them this year alone and, so far this month (June 25) 72

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

June

Mon 29: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Alan Law Trio @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free.
Tue 30: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

July

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 02: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 02: De’Sean Jones & Blaque Dynamite feat. Urban Art Orchestra @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). De’Sean Jones (MD, tenor sax); Blaque Dynamite (Mike Mitchell, drums); Jamie Murray (drums) with UAO horns & strings.
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.
Thu 02: Howlin’ Mat @ Newcastle Arts centre. 7:30pm. Free. Acoustic

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: Paul Donnelly Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Fri 03: Martin Taylor @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Taylor (solo guitar).

Sat 04: Spats Langham’s Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 04: Michael Woods @ Cycle Hub, Quayside, Ouseburn. 1:30-2:30pm & 3:00-4:00pm. Free. Acoustic blues guitar. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sat 04: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Take the ‘A’ Train to Summertime: From Melody to Masterclass. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 05: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest TBC.
Sun 05: Michael Woods @ Cycle Hub, Quayside, Ouseburn. 1:30-2:30pm & 3:15-4:00pm. Free. Acoustic blues guitar. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sun 05: Lydia Rae Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Rae (vocals); Sam Lightwing (alto sax, tenor sax); Ben Lawrence (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Sun 05: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 05: Storytellers Street Band @ Ouseburn Woodland, Ouseburn. 5:00-6:00pm. Free. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sun 05: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 05: Jambone @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:15-9:45pm. Free but ticketed.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Press release: Jazz FM, One Jazz and Tomorrow’s Warriors announce second series of I AM WARRIOR. A six-part radio series from 31 January 2026 spotlighting emerging UK jazz talent

Jazz FM and One Jazz, leading broadcasters in the world of jazz radio, return with a second series of I AM WARRIOR, a co-production with the world-renowned talent development organisation and charity,  Tomorrow’sWarriors

The series introduces listeners to three of today’s most exciting emerging artists from the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, reaffirming the broadcasters’ shared commitment to championing the next generation of UK jazz talent and providing them with a national broadcast platform.

Over six episodes, I AM WARRIOR introduces three artists; pianist and composer Emily Tran, singer-songwriter Kianja and trombonist-composer Christ-Stéphane Boizi.

Each episode sees one of the three rising stars weave personal storytelling with music from classic artists who’ve inspired and shaped their sound - alongside their own tracks and selections from Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni and fellow contemporaries across the current UK jazz scene.

I AM WARRIOR is broadcast across six weeks on both Jazz FM and One Jazz, with the first episode airing on Jazz FM on Saturday 31 January at 9pm and on One Jazz on Sunday 1 February.

Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical said: “Working with our friends at Tomorrow’s Warriors and One Jazz for a second time on this really important project provides a real opportunity to expose our audience to these new amazing talents, and in turn give them a chance to share their influences through their own voice.  Their eclectic musical choices never fail to surprise and amaze!”

Jez Nelson, co-founder of One Jazz and trustee of Tomorrow’s Warriors says, “One Jazz is all about showcasing jazz and jazz artists from the world over. Tomorrow’s Warriors represents the very best of young, emerging jazz talent and we’re buzzing to have I AM WARRIOR returning for a second year on the network, it’s brilliant to be working with Jazz FM again on this important project. Emily Tran, Kianja and Christ-Stéphane Boizi are exciting additions to our growing roster of global jazz hosts”

Janine Irons OBE, Co-founder and CEO of Tomorrow’s Warriors, said, “I AM WARRIOR is a powerful reflection of what Tomorrow’s Warriors has always stood for - giving young artists the space, support and confidence to tell their own stories in their own voices. Emily Tran, Kianja and Christ-Stéphane Boizi represent the depth, diversity and creative brilliance of the current UK jazz scene, and it will be inspiring to hear them share their journeys and influences. Working once again with our friends at Jazz FM and One Jazz allows these artists to be heard on a national platform, and that visibility is vital for the future of this music.”

On being part of the series, Emily Tran said “I’m excited to dig through records of great pianists and try to cherry-pick a few that have been important in my development as a composer and pianist. I’m also excited to share these songs with listeners and talk about what made me love them.”

Trombonist Christ-Stéphane Boizi added: “Having the opportunity to dig into new music that I haven't checked out before — it's going to be a super humbling experience. Can't wait to check out some killing music with you guys. See you soon.”

Commenting on becoming a radio host, Kianja said: “I joined this series to stretch myself creatively and learn a new skill. I’m excited to revisit the music that raised me, to dig back into my personal archives, and to experience radio in a deeper and more intentional way.”

I AM WARRIOR is broadcast:

Jazz FM - Saturdays at 9pm
31 January, 7 February, 14 February, 21 February, 28 February and 7 March

One Jazz - Sundays at 3pm

1st February, 8th February ,15th February, 22nd February, 1st March and 8th March

The series is produced by Claire Umney with assistant producer Joe D’Souza

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