We ended the summer gigs with a joint night of Jazz with our Junior and Youth bands in our spiritual home ‘The Phoenix’ who provide us with a great space to rehearse every week.

Jazz is thriving in Hexham under Dave Hignetts direction with some enthusiastic performances from the Tyne Valley Junior Jazz Ensemble and Tyne Valley Youth Big Band.

TVBB ending the set before a quick getaway to ‘The Valley’ for the now traditional curry and handing over of the Whisky to our MD Dave Hignett.

In July we stepped back in time to complete a week of celebrations of local Mining history in Greensides’ historic Community Hall.

Dances used to be held every week so we were proud to continue the tradition and had a lovely night.

Thank you to the National Trust for inviting TVBB to play at their popular ‘Picnic in the Park’ event at Gibside and for our first appearance at Seaton Delaval Hall during the summer. The weather could have been a tad less inclement at times!

Here we all are humming ‘In the good ole summertime’ avoiding a drenching.

Undeterred we managed to play most of our set. What a lovely setting!

Mr and Mrs Moocher

Back for one of our favourite Gigs we had a great evening at Haydon Bridge Festival.

Unfortunately the band has now outgrown the stage but the Saxes were all in a nice longline for a photo. So thats all good. We were even graced with Kellys presence, all the way from Australia no less.

The boys on the back line battled with a flapping tent roof but played on regardless.

For once Kev (Guitar) was on home turf, and not driving, so was able to avail himself of some delicious red wine.

Here we see the ‘Lower ‘ Trumpet section enjoying a joke in the interval.Thanks to Ally and Geoff the sound crew who always ensure a great sound at our local festivals.

A ‘Moochers’ eye view of proceedings

The sun was shining on us at big time at this years Tynedale Beer festival.

The beer was flowing and we all had a rather jolly time whilst fighting back dehydration (Some more quickly and successfully than others)

We were saddened to hear of the loss of Andy Deacon who had been a keen supporter of  the band since we formed. Mark on Kit sweltering in the heat though looking remarkable composedMike laying down the groove as always. Andrew trying to make a serious comment to our MD but realising the futility during a photo bombing opportunity for Mr Hignett, ‘relaxed’ after rehydration. A tromboners eye view as the crowds build. The ever ambidextrous Caroline proving her ability on Keys when not playing her trumpet, Kev enjoying himself also. and in fine voice. We hope to be back next year!

We had a great afternoon on Monday playing to entertain the crowds at the Northumberland County Show, Bywell.

Here we see our MD Mr Dave Hignett photo-bombing our altos with a special appearance by Sophie, who is not from Australia. Andrea unleashing a solo on the unsuspecting crowds Mike sampling  a drop of Wylam Gold courtesy of our sponsors Wylam Brewery. (The rhythm section communicate with each other with a variety of hand and arm signals loosely based on the dance moves of the Village People).It was great to welcome Dan back to the fold who flew in all the way from Barcelona specially for the occasion! Here we see the Tromboners all looking nicely relaxed before the frenzy that was ‘Sing Sang Sung’Ben in fine form Mr and Mrs Moocher, no relation.No MUD this year so that was all good.

This event has got to be the highlight of our year attracting some incredible Big Bands from all over the country in a weekend of friendly rivalry and great playing.Here we see our vocalist Miss Barbara Hignett, no relation, firing up the crowd with a down and dirty ‘Minnie the Moocher’ a part she was born to sing apparently.

As always our friends at ‘Bebop Spoken Here’ covered the event giving us a great write up

The Hexham-based Tyne Valley Big Band travels in numbers. Last year’s raiding party comprised something in the region of thirty musicians. MD Dave Hignett doesn’t do things in halves (nor does he drink halves!), boundless enthusiasm is key, and this year’s away day jaunt delivered the band’s usual power-packed performance. Trombonist Simon Hirst impressed on Sammy Nestico’s Switch in Time, the ebullient Barbara Hignett was born to sing Minnie the Moocher and a set-concluding Cajun Cookin’ served up several helpings of hot playing from, amongst others Kevin Wright, piano and a chilli peppered blast from Andrea de Vere, tenor, and the man sailing the high Cs, Alastair Lord, trumpet.

Our lovely Saxes relaxing before the ‘Eyes Down’ bit

We were excited to get some really supportive and encouraging feedback for the Judges who thought we had put on our best performance to date at the festival.

On Sunday our MD, founder, friend and mentor Dave Hignett returned with the Tyne Valley Jazz Ensemble and the Tyne Valley Youth Big Band. He was given a justly deserved special Adjudicators award for his services to the Youth Big Band scene in the North East.

Those who know Dave are aware of his tireless enthusiasm in promoting all kinds of music to young and old alike but in particular we are grateful for his drive to keep opportunities open for young people to get involved in Jazz. Thanks to his enthusiasm Hexham has become the epicentre for Big Band music in Northumberland.

Well done Dave! The man’s a legend.

Our name in lights at last, might not be Broadway but Carlisle Civic Centre is still pretty impressive!Thanks to our Bassist Mike Cunningham who pulled a few strings and organised for us to play at the now dried out ‘Old Fire Station’ What a  fantastic venue.We had a great audience with the added bonus of a Swing Dancing Club livening up the dance floor.

Thanks also to the organisers for making us so welcome, the great news is that we have been booked to return on the 8th October for a rematch so see you there.

Sadly we had what is likely to be our last ever residential rehearsal weekend at Ridley Hall last weekend.

This fine venue is on the market to be sold so we made the best of the weekend with intense rehearsal and even more intense merriment into the small hours. What an excellent way to while away a Saturday afternoon.  We are looking forward to our next couple of big Gigs at the Old Fire Station Carlisle and the annual Sunderland Big Band festival.

Many thanks to our sponsors Wylam Brewery for providing welcome liquid refreshment for the thirsty.  Thanks also to Jan and her team at Ridley Hall for making us so welcome over the years.

Here we see the band relaxing between numbers.

Keen eyed viewers will spot Tom Cantwell stepping in for our regular Guitar Hero Kev otherwise engaged. Thanks from all the band for helping us out Tom.

What a great night of Big Band Music we had at King Edward V1 School Morpeth, sharing the stage with our own Youth band the ‘Tyne Valley Youth Big Band’ and ‘King Edward V1 Community Big Band’

Barbara Hignett, our lovely vocalist seen here performing ‘Minnie the Moocher’ made famous by Cab Calloway in the Blues Brothers’  Spot MD Dave Hignett, (no relation), on lead trumpet and sink plunger.

Here we see our very own crooner Kevin Moore taking a break from his guitar with Barbara Hignett in a seasonally apt version of ‘Baby its Cold Outside’