Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: 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 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Jazz FM Awards 2026

The nominees for this year’s Jazz FM Awards, presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, have been announced today, once again spotlighting a vibrant cross-section of artists shaping the sound of jazz, soul and blues across the globe. 

Returning to KOKO in London on Thursday April 16th, the Awards will celebrate exceptional creativity from emerging voices and internationally acclaimed performers alike.

Nominees:

Breakthrough Act of the Year 

Donovan Haffner; Earth-o-Naut; Poppy Daniels 

International Jazz Act of the Year 

Linda May Han Oh; Nate Smith; Samara Joy 

Blues Act of the Year 

Alice Armstrong; Gary Clark Jr.; Mavis Staples 

Soul Act of the Year Sponsored by: Oanda 

Omar; RAYE; Young Gun Silver Fox 

Instrumentalist of the Year 

Joe Webb; Laura Jurd; Shabaka 

Vocalist of the Year 

Brigitte Beraha; Marvin Muoneké; Yazmin Lacey 

The Innovation Award Sponsored by:  Mishcon de Reya 

Emma-Jean Thackray;  Ezra Collective; Theon Cross 

The Collaboration Award 

Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars - Calima 

Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - SOMNI 

The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival 

Album of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE 

Ambrose Akinmusire - honey from a winter stone 

Cécile McLorin Salvant – Oh Snap 

Emma-Jean Thackray - Weirdo 

Fergus McCreadie - The Shieling 

Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025! 

Tyreek McDole - Open Up Your Senses 

UK Jazz Act of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE 

Emma Rawicz 

Kokoroko 

Tom Skinner 

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