Michael Woods (guitar, vocals)In its bi-centenary year at its present site, the Grade II listed Lit & Phil is on something of a roll with sold events across the board - concerts, conferences, lectures and more. On a sunny, warm May afternoon a full house welcomed country blues guitarist Michael Woods. It was pre-Covid when the Newcastle based left-hander last appeared at the Westgate Road ..read more

Brad Mehldau (piano); Felix Moseholm (bass); Jorge Rossy (drums).To the Town Hall in Cheltenham for what should have been the high point of this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The man is a legend and a grunt free shoe-in to inherit Keith Jarrett’s crown. His trio included long-time associate, Rossy, and, a new name to me, Felix Moseholm. Five minutes into the set and the crowd was mesmerised by ..read more

On our arrival at the Clematis Guesthouse Steve asked our host, Karen, if Dave and Sam were there this year. “They booked,” she said, “then cancelled because there wasn’t enough wacky jazz on for them this year.” Looking at the list of headliners (UB40, Robert Plant, Jack Savoretti, Morcheeba, Sophie Ellis-Bextor) I could see their point. Our first job, therefore was to identify the uncut ..read more

Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)A first visit to Laurel's in Whitley Bay. A former social club on Whitley Road, its discreet entrance leads visitors up a steep fight of stairs to a first floor bar (with pool table!). The decor, best described as 'funky', the place has a DIY feel to it. Dimly lit, the seating 'funky', a pint of ..read more

Teddy Wilson: As Time Goes By.Peggy Lee: Goin' to Chicago.João Gilberto: Desifinado.Bud Powell: Body and Soul.Norah Jones: Summertime.Buddy DeFranco: I Hear Music.Blossom Dearie: Our Love is Here to Stay.Monty Alexander: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.Chet Baker: But Not For me.Karrin Allyson How Long Has This Been Going on??: When I Dream of You.Matt Dennis: Angel Eyes.Red Garland ..read more

© Benjamin ElovegaThe Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh has commissioned the award-winning saxophonist Helena Kay to curate and appear in a series of concerts focusing on musicians who have inspired Kay’s career. Beginning on Thursday 19th September with the vibrant, highly individual pianist Zoe Rahman, who will play solo and in duo with Kay, the concerts take place over a twelve-month period and ..read more

Jazz Jam7:00-9:00pm, Black Swan Bar, walk up, free - get there early to guarantee entry!A celebratory jam to mark a decade of the ever popular jazz jam sessions. Enjoy live music and pour out into the bustling courtyard to find street food and outdoor seating.Musicians participating in this session get into the Late Night Special for free!Under 18’s must be ..read more

Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals, guitar, piano) + Ross Carbis (keyboards, guitar); Rhian Wilkinson (bass); Matt Connor (drums); Josh Scott (trumpet); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Conor Emery (trombone); Jessica Bartlett (backing vocals, percussion); Cara Britton (backing vocals); Chiara Todisco (backing vocals)Seen and heard gigging around town, often at the Black Swan jam session, on this sunny ..read more

This one has been a long time in the making - maybe going back to when Michael Lamb first formed the band all those years ago when he was still at school! Since then, of course, the band has gone from strength to strength - as have the soloists and vocalists from within the ranks - until now when they are more than just a big band, but a band that has developed and nurtured it's own core of ..read more

This evening's double bill at Laurel's in Whitley Bay starts at 7:30pm rather than the previously advertised time of eight o'clock. First onto the stand will be the Wallsend based Langdale Youth Jazz Ensemble. The headliners, that's the Lewis Watson Quartet, will follow. Lewis is one of the finest tenor saxophonists of his generation and he'll be at the Whitley Road ..read more