We will be playing at Gibside on June the 8th during their series of ‘Music in the Park’ events. Click the link below to see details of this and other events.
Category Archives: TVBB
Phoenix Night with TVBB & TVYBB
We had a tremendous joint concert last night with the recently formed Tyne Valley Youth Big Band before our Easter break.
Read a great review of the gig here. Bebop Spoken Here
The popularity of the event emphasises how Hexham is becoming a centre for Big Band Jazz under the enthusiastic leadership of our MD Dave Hignett. The junior and Youth Bands will hopefully flourish and ensure that Big Band Music goes from strength to strength in the Tyne Valley.
There are still a few places available in certain sections of the Junior and Youth Bands so if there are any young musicians who wish join please contact Dave for details.
Following the now traditional end of term presentation of Scottish Wine to our MD the TVBB quickly decamped for a fine curry at the newly refurbished Diwan e Am. Several of the more foolhardy members of the band tackled the fearsome Rajastani Gosth hot enough to stop even Mr Hignett in his tracks!
TVBB & TVYBB at the Great North Big Band Festival
Hexham based and newly formed youth big band the ‘Tyne Valley Youth Big Band’ and ‘Tyne Valley Big Band’ took part in the prestigious “Great North Big Band Festival” in Sunderland at the weekend. (1st & 2nd March)
The ‘Tyne Valley Youth Big Band’ came together in January under the Musical Directorship of Dave Hignett with help and support from Mike Coleman at Core Music and the Queens Hall.
The TVYBB gave its very first public performance in the Youth section of the festival which BBC Big Band Alto Sax player and adjudicator Paul Jones described as “A great set”.
The band were up against other County Youth bands from as far afield as Durham, Hull, East Riding, Kirklees and Wigan who all gave some great performances in an enjoyable day of Big Band Music.
The existence of this new exciting Youth Big band in Hexham follows on from the success of the community based ‘Tyne Valley Big Band’ who opened the Big Band Festivals open section on Saturday, and is complimented by a newly formed junior feeder band the ‘Tyne Valley Jazz Ensemble’.
If there are any young players looking to play Big Band Jazz in the area please contact Core Music for more details.
The presence of 3 Big Bands in Hexham gives Northumberland’s talented Jazz and Big Band musicians of all ages the opportunity to develop and perform, making Hexham a centre for musical progression and excellence in Jazz.
TVYBB are next playing to close the Sell out Core Music Birthday Concert at the Queens Hall on 8th March and Tyne Valley Big Band will be opening Sundays set at the Darlington Jazz Festival on 27th April.
Click on this link to see TVBB start the Open Section with
Sweet Georgia Brown Apple Honey
Tyne Valley Youth Big Band
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Mr Lambs 60th Wylam Institute
The band were coerced into an evening of subterfuge in the planning of a surprise 60th birthday party for Dave Lamb, treasurer and long time Bass player with our friends the Prudhoe Community Band.
Mr Lamb joined the band to pick up his Bass Guitar for a sight read rendition of his favourite number “Birdland” joined by Daughter Katherine on Jazz Clarinet and Son Matthew “Choppy” Lamb (also seen in several other numbers ripping out some storming Also and Tenor solos.) PCB Chairman Steve Quill i’am was also spotted with his old trombone.
Saxes
Trombones
Barbara
Saxes
Altos
Johnny “no photos please” Knap
TVBB
Toms
A great night was had by all.
Thanks as always to our sponsors Wylam Brewery for again providing a supply of excellent Wylam Gold for the band and guests.
Junior and Youth Big Bands are up and running in Hexham
The newly formed Junior and Youth Jazz ensembles in Hexham are up and running following an enthusiastic response by young Jazz players in the region.
Based at Core Music and Led by Dave Hignett the formation of these bands now means that Hexham is becoming the focus for Big Band music in the region with a total of three Big Bands in all.
The Tyne Valley Youth Big Band are busy rehearsing to participate in the Sunderland Big Band Festival for the first time. They will be playing on Sunday 2nd March at St Peters Campus, University of Sunderland.
Tyne Valley Big Band will be entering the Open Section playing at 11am on Saturday 1st March hoping to repeat our success of last year with our joint second place.
Ridley Hall Weekend
The band had a residential rehearsal weekend at Ridley Hall recently.
Having an extended period to rehearse gave us a great opportunity to spend time honing up the tricky bits.
Thanks to Andrea Devere for leading the Sax sectionals whilst MD Dave Hignett led the Brass and Rhythm section during the afternoon.
The inevitable snooker competition highlighted the evening entertainment aided by a supply of “Wylam Gold” from our sponsors Wylam Brewery to quench the thirsty.
On the face of it the dream team of Matt and John (from Consett) came out on top with a dazzling display of potting, but sadly the subsequent discovery of timing irregularities meant that this years competition was deemed null and void,
Eldon Square Xmas Gig
We raised the roof at Eldon Square Shopping Mall just before Xmas entertaining passing shoppers. 
We are working on building up our Christmas repertoire but our selection of Big Band classics, Jazz Rock and Funky numbers went down with an appreciative passing audience.
Xmas Gig at the Phoenix
The band put on a free Xmas concert upstairs at the Phoenix before our Xmas break.
We are hoping to make this a regular event so each our calendar for news of our next concert.
We relocated forthwith to the excellent Diwan e Am restaurant in Hexham for our end of term curry. Many thanks to the Diwan e Am for their generosity in donating some of the cost of the meal towards our band funds.
Alexs’ surprise 21st party at the Wintergardens Hexham.
The band were sworn to secrecy in the weeks running up to a surprise party held by our very own Dave and Barbara Hignett to celebrate their daughter Alexs’ 21st birthday last weekend.
Resplendent in black tie and posh frocks for the second week running, the band set up under cover of darkness.
Alex was genuinely surprised to be greeted by a Big Band ‘Happy Birthday’ when she walked into the Wintergardens.
Click link to see MD Dave “Maynard’ Hignett in action. Country Road
Here we see the birthday girl performing ‘10 out of 10‘ with mum.
Posh Party
The band got all scrubbed and and turned out in best ‘Bib and Tucker’ to perform at Ollies 40th birthday party last weekend.
Vocalist Ollie had secretly being rehearsing with the band working on a Rat Pack set to surprise his family and friends. MD Dave Hignett seen here sporting a special Gold Lamé Conductors bow tie with the birthday boy.
The lovely Wintergardens were a perfect setting, and surprisingly warm for the time of year. 
Many thanks to Ollie for his generosity in keeping us fed and watered during the Gig.
Click her to some YouTube clips from the Gig.