The Black Swan Bar & Venue is home to The Jazz Cafe Presents… and LIVE Thursdays. Join in our beautiful basement venue for a lively programme of Jazz Jams, gigs from guest artists every week, and special Live Music events.
WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS:
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan:
Tuesday Jam – 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month
Doors 7:00pm, Music 7:30pm – 10:30pm, in the Black Swan Bar
Free Entry!
The Black Swan’s long standing Jazz Jam, where the house trio invite all jazz instrumentalists and singers to join them and jam together. All listeners welcome too.
21 April
Joe Steels (guitar), Paul Grainger (bass), Jack Littlewood (drums)
5 May
Stu Collingwood (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), Tim Johnston (drums)
19 May
Michael Young (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), Mark Robertson (drums)
2 June
Alan Law (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), John Hirst (drums)
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan:
Jazz Jam Sandwich – 2nd Tuesday of the month
Doors 7:00pm, Music 7:30pm – 10:30pm, in the Black Swan Bar
Free Entry!
This Jam comes in all kinds of flavours covering afro-beat, funk, soul and world music. It’s all about freedom, expression and good vibes. We invite you to take up your instrument of choice and contribute to the creativity. Drop in and take part or simply sit back and soak it up.
13 January
10 February
10 March
GIG LISTINGS:
LIVE Thursdays
Eva Fox and the Sound Hounds – Thursday 23rd April
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Local quartet Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds. Jazz vocalist Eva Fox is joined by seasoned musicians from our region’s jazz scene: the multi-tasking, musical stylings of Jude Murphy on bass, organ and piano aficionado Steve Chambers, and all-rounder drummer Sid White. The Sound Hounds, whilst keeping their style close to the swinging rhythms of the Great American Songbook era, have taken inspiration from the modern stylings of jazz vocalists Diana Krall, Melody Gardot & Madeleine Peyroux to mention a few, and have fused an eclectic mix of jazz-styled 60s-70s tunes with a few blues and contemporary pop variations.
Jazz Café Presents… at The Black Swan
Long Remon Zilker – Tuesday 28th April
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
An evening of traditional Irish folk music from a trio of touring musicians. Nicolas Long; a fiddle player influenced by his Kerry heritage, with a very personal, emotive and soulful playing style. Tom Remon; a jazz guitarist and composer based in London who, through tutelage from trumpeter Neil Yates, has embraced a traditional Irish style. Ben Zilker; a flautist based in both North Kerry and Athens, having originally started performing as a bodhrán player.
LIVE Thursdays
ALT – Thursday 7th May
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Join us for the celebrated relaunch of ALT; led by pianist Alan Law, accompanied by Paul Grainger on bass, and Rob Walker on drums. The trio explore the dynamic and lyrical range of live jazz with a focus on arrangements that develop in the moment. The freer passages are tempered by musical and bop sensibilities. Alongside standards, there are some original tunes that serve as a jumping off point for their blend of creativity and discipline.
LIVE Thursdays
Jacob Egglestone – Thursday 14th May
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Introducing jazz guitarist Jacob Egglestone performing his debut gig here at The Black Swan and showcasing the launch of his debut track ‘Assa Marra’. Inspired by folk and traditional jazz influences as well as the rugged comfort of rural Cumbria, Jacob delivers a sound that is uniquely energetic yet melodic. Performing alongside drummer Jack Littlewood and bassist Jamie Watkins, as well as some additional special guests.
LIVE Thursdays
Jazz Classics with Rivkala, Paul and Alan – Thursday 21st May
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
An evening of jazz classics with local musical legends Alan Law (keys) and Paul Grainger (double bass) fronted by award winning singer/songwriter Rivkala (Becky Tuck). Driven by Paul’s basswork and lifted by Alan’s mastery of the keys, Rivkala’s rich, deep vocals are guaranteed to captivate, blending the traditional and contemporary.
Jazz Café Presents… at The Black Swan
Lagos2Longbenton – Tuesday 26th May
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Presenting the North East’s premier Afrobeat band, Lagos2Longbenton takes the infectious grooves of West Africa and fuses it with a collective passion for jazz, funk and latin. This supergroup of the region’s most exciting musical collaborators are bringing high energy, inspiring culture and a whole lot of fun to our stage.
LIVE Thursdays
Squabble – Thursday 28th May
Doors open 7pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Hammond organ jazz trio, performing standards of the jazz world centred around the iconic sound of the Hammond Organ. This well versed trio comprises Sid White on drums, Jude Murphy on double bass, and Steve Chambers on the all important organ.
