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"Buoyant up-tempo grooves, strong ensemble work and engaging arrangements make this an exemplary big band recording."

"...two top singers and a kickass big band..."

The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, the only ensemble of its kind in the North East of England, will launch its latest album Strictly Smokin’ and

Our second single featuring some wonderfully virtuosic flute playing from the amazing GARETH LOCKRANE is out now!

One of the key messages for anyone taking an interest in this release is that we’re keen to show that great big band music can exist...

Attracting new - and especially younger - audiences to jazz is a problem the music has wrestled with for years; and getting your stuff...

Ella & Ellington, Strictly Smokin', full house. It's becoming a common occurrence, Strictly Smokin' Big Band playing to capacity audiences.

As the house lights dimmed, the near full house heard the strains of Avenue C. The recorded music gave way to the SSBB's rhythm section seam

FRIDAY 28th APRIL 2023 THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE The Witham on Horse Market isn't a noted jazz venue but thanks to the popularity of the...

FRIDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2023 HALL 2, SAGE GATESGEAD It doesn't get much better than this. Top singer (actually two top singers) and a big...

Here's a quick one on finding the best jazz venues and events in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Friday 23rd December 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE The band moved, the dancers moved and one of the non-dancers was moved to remark that he...

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th December 2022 GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE If it's the week before Christmas there's is only one place to be and...

SUNDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE This was, to quote from Larry Hart's lyric in Thou Swell, "a sweet lollapalooza" or as Cole...

The region's greatest big band - Strictly Smokin' Big Band - are celebrating 20 years in the biz with an extra special gig at Hoochie Coochi

I said it began with a BANG and I wasn't just referring to the power of the brass on Buddy's Big Swing Face! I was bemused as I tried to...

SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2022 HALL 2, SAGE GATESGEAD I'd heard Pete Long's Ellington/Strayhorn inspired suite based around Gustav Holst's...

Friday 13th August Newcastle Jazz Festival at Newcastle Civic Centre This promised much and delivered even more! Alice Grace singing Ella...

Saturday 20th April 2020 Gosforth Civic Theatre This was quite an occasion, indeed a unique one, not to mention a historic one! A Great...

SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 2020 HALL 2, SAGE GATESHEAD Some cats can some cats can’t. Mike Lovatt can! Mike Lovatt can do what? Mike Lovatt...