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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ on ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Buoyant up-tempo grooves, strong ensemble work and engaging arrangements make this an exemplary big band recording."
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Michael Lamb
Sep 282 min read
"Yet another SSBB triumph!" - Emma Smith with Strictly Smokin' Big Band
"...two top singers and a kickass big band..."
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Michael Lamb
May 104 min read
UK JAZZ NEWS: Smokin’ Hot Big Band. New album ‘Strictly Smokin’ and Friends’
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
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Michael Lamb
May 31 min read
NEW SINGLE: Daisy Mae - out now
Our second single featuring some wonderfully virtuosic flute playing from the amazing GARETH LOCKRANE is out now!
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Michael Lamb
Apr 254 min read
JAZZ VIEWS: Michael Lamb Take Five Q&A
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...
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Michael Lamb
Apr 223 min read
JAZZWISE: "Reinventing the big band with visuals, interactivity and crowdfunding"
Attracting new - and especially younger - audiences to jazz is a problem the music has wrestled with for years; and getting your stuff...
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Bebop Spoken Here
May 21, 20232 min read
Harlem '58 - Queen's Hall, Hexham
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
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Bebop Spoken Here
Feb 27, 20232 min read
MATT FORD with Strictly Smokin' Big Band
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...
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Michael Lamb
Jan 15, 20232 min read
Jazz in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Here's a quick one on finding the best jazz venues and events in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
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Bebop Spoken Here
Dec 23, 20222 min read
Hoochie Coochie Christmas
Friday 23rd December 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE The band moved, the dancers moved and one of the non-dancers was moved to remark that he...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Dec 16, 20222 min read
Christmas at GCT 2022
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...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Oct 22, 20222 min read
DAVE O'HIGGINS celebrating 20 YEARS of Strictly Smokin' Big Band
SUNDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE This was, to quote from Larry Hart's lyric in Thou Swell, "a sweet lollapalooza" or as Cole...
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Michael Lamb
Sep 30, 20221 min read
Smokin' Big Guest
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
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Bebop Spoken Here
Aug 17, 20221 min read
Newcastle Jazz Festival 2022
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...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Feb 26, 20222 min read
PETE LONG with Strictly Smokin' Big Band
SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2022 HALL 2, SAGE GATESGEAD I'd heard Pete Long's Ellington/Strayhorn inspired suite based around Gustav Holst's...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Aug 12, 20212 min read
SSBB at Newcastle Jazz Festival 2021
Friday 13th August Newcastle Jazz Festival at Newcastle Civic Centre This promised much and delivered even more! Alice Grace singing Ella...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Apr 19, 20202 min read
Premiere: Great Day In Harlem (Harlem '58)
Saturday 20th April 2020 Gosforth Civic Theatre This was quite an occasion, indeed a unique one, not to mention a historic one! A Great...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Aug 16, 20191 min read
SSBB at Newcastle Jazz Festival 2019
SATURDAY 17TH AUGUST 2019 NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL TYNE BANK BREWERY Special mention also to the heroes of the hour. Michael Lamb and...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Jun 22, 20193 min read
Alice Grace, Jen Davies & Carly McKee with SSBB at Hoochie Coochie
Sunday 23rd June 2019 Hoochie Coochie Never has the phrase 'hit the deck running' been more apt than at Hoochiee last night! SSBB did...
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Bebop Spoken Here
Feb 23, 20194 min read
MARK NIGHTINGALE with Strictly Smokin' Big Band
Saturday 23rd February 2019 Hall 2, Sage Gateshead Michael Lamb and the SSBB think big when they book a guest artist. Over the last few...
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