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

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.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

Mon 26: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 27: Pete Roth Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:30pm. Feat. Bill Bruford.

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

What They Say

"...you set the standard for the rest of us!" - LondonJazz.
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"thanks for all that you do via the blog to promote jazz across the region. Great writing and photos, and a wide range of jazz styles covered. How do you do it, we often wonder!". (Patti.)
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"A link so good I've bookmarked it twice" - Londonjazz.
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"...Bebop Spoken Here has grown into a marvellous resource for NE jazz - I don't think any other region anywhere (in the world!!) will have anything like this...." Anon.post.
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"I think you'll find the link a very good one, Lance's style is entertaining and informative." Neilsound.
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"...a blog of which I've been a fan of for sometime..." Cheeky Lamby.
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"Congratulations on your website: it’s absolutely superb." Godfrey V.
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"...Definitely worth bookmarking is Lance’s stupendous collection of old photos and memorabilia." (Daily)Telegraph.co.uk
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"Enjoyed reading bebopspokenhere this evening. Especially loved reading about Sal Nistico, one of my all-time favorite saxophonists. I'm so looking forward to the release, someday, of the Nistico/Tubby Hayes Live at Ronnie Scott's recording. Thanks," Marla (Marla klemen on Facebook.)
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"This site offers an emporium of jazz artistically compiled to give the enthusiast an immense amount of information." (Comment from George W.).
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"I am really impressed with the format of your blog and the detail and care with which you write. Keep it up old son, and come and play with us any time."
Best wishes, Charles Gordon.
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"Bebop Spoken Here is an inspirational labour of love." Sarah R.
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"Fantastic reviews and brilliantly written. You really have caught the atmosphere." Mike Gordon, Director of Scarborough Jazz Festival.

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