Live Shows

The much-loved annual, festive tradition of Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Christmas show returns in 2023 for its 12th year. Join us at Gosforth Civic Theatre for a swinging celebration of big band and Christmas music which will be sure to get you into the festive spirit. Featuring Strictly Smokin's array of top draw players, plus vocalist Alice Grace. Twelve years a sell-out, and we expect the same again - grab your tickets before they run out!

The much-loved annual, festive tradition of Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Christmas show returns in 2023 for its 12th year. Join us at Gosforth Civic Theatre for a swinging celebration of big band and Christmas music which will be sure to get you into the festive spirit. Featuring Strictly Smokin's array of top draw players, plus vocalist Alice Grace. Twelve years a sell-out, and we expect the same again - grab your tickets before they run out!

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band return to Hall Two, this time featuring trombonist Dennis Rollins. “…one of the UK’s most effortlessly fluent big bands” – Jazz Alert, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band “Rollins has a remarkable facility on Trombone. He is a master of its different styles and techniques and covers its full dynamic and emotional range” – Jazz Mann, Dennis Rollins This is going to be a HUGE night of music from a passionate performer.  Dennis Rollins (MBE) has established a reputation as an artist of excellence, and has lent his unique and stylish talents to some of this country’s, and indeed the world’s top jazz and pop personalities such as Courtney Pine, Maceo Parker, Jamiroquai, US3, The Brand New Heavies, Blur, Monty Alexander, Pee Wee Ellis and Jean Toussaint, amongst others. In 2006 his jazz/funk outfit Badbone & Co won a prestigious BBC Jazz Award in the Best Band category. In the following year he picked up both Trombonist of the Year at the British Jazz Awards and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards. Dennis was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards for Jazz Musician of the Year and for Jazz Education; he won the latter. As a recording artist he’s currently recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums. Three with his award-winning band Badbone & Co, and two with his progressive jazz organ-trio, Velocity Trio who were featured at Newcastle Jazz Festival in 2021. The regular Strictly Smokin’ team will be performing, including vocalist Alice Grace.

This performance is resceduled from October 2023. All originally purchased tickets remain valid. Emma Smith is not only a rising jazz star in her own right, but is also one third of the vocal group Puppini Sisters who shot to fame after recordings with Michael Bublé - we can't wait to have her guest with the Strictly Smokin Big Band in October. With diverse and extensive experience performing everywhere from the 02 Arena to the leading jazz clubs of New York City, collaborating and recording with the likes of Robbie Williams, Georgie Fame and Seal along the way, Emma has created a formidable reputation as a powerful and expressive vocalist. This show will feature music from Emma's new solo album: Meshuga Baby, as well as a rage of other arrangements performed by Emma on her engagements with the stand-out big bands of Europe. We're also excited to bring you this show in a brand new venue: The Common Rooom in Newcastle - a beautiful room, fully accessible, great acoustics, an excellent cafe/ bar and great transport links. ------ Emma's many accolades to date includes the widespread success of the long established vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters, as well as a stint as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, not to mention a range of awards and compliments from organisations and critics alike, including winning the prestigious 'Worshipful Company Of Musicians Medal'. Now with the release of the new album and a series of live dates throughout the UK, Emma Smith will continue her rise to prominence as a multifaceted singer-songwriter with outstanding vocal ability.