Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Friday, January 23, 2026

RADIOPHONICX - Only connect

Only connect - resistance and surveillance 

2-4pm 31st of January at Cobalt Studios, 10-16 Boyd Street, Newcastle NE2 1AP


Together we will listen to two fantastic audio pieces from Rumania and the UK. Both works explore how technology, radio or simply sound waves travelling through the air, can connect or disconnect us. What are the potentials and dangers attached to new and old communication technologies? I am sure this two very different radio pieces will inspire some interesting thoughts and discussion.


For more information: https://cobaltstudios.co.uk/events/radiophonicx-presents-only-connect/


Waves Of Resistance Tonnta Friotafochta, 2022 by Magz Hall, UK is a 10 min audio work exploring how radio can help us during times of isolation. Radio waves can cut through forced isolation and invisible boundaries as an act of resistance. 


A Mermaid’s Song, 2025 directed by Attila Vizauer is a full length audio play from Radio Romania Broadcast. A Mermaid’s Song undergoes the process of a retrospective understanding of surveillance, abuse and manipulation. Looking back to an era where snitching on people was justified even by the whirlwind of a passionate and heart wrenching young love. 

The work will be presented in the original Rumanian language with a full simultaneous video translation. This is a very unique opportunity to experience this fantastic work from Rumania. 


I hope many of you can make it to this relaxed communal listening event. It has been a great joy to explore international audio drama with such a committed audience at the recent events. Please forward this newsletter to anybody who might be interested in listening together and engaging in international audio and radio art. 


The entrance is free but if you would like to support Cobalt you can buy a donation ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radiophonicx-presents-only-connect-tickets-1980200999495


Next month Radiophonicx will be on the 21st of February featuring:

Words and silence by UK artist Paul Rooney and babblesnatch, by award winning audio maker Leona Jones from Wales. Gabriele Heller

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