History

Jazz on Tyneside has a long tradition dating back to the early 50’s, with numerous venue’s and bands of all jazz genre’s.

Some notable and long running small bands include the "Panama Jazzmen", a polished dixieland outfit who had a lot of success in the 50’s and 60’s, and whose personnel were involved in the original "Main Street Jazzmen", who backed a number of visiting American Jazz stars in the 1980's at Newcastle's Corner House. A little further south the "Tees Valley Jazzmen" were another long running and successful jazz band. Other notable outfits include the River City Jazzmen and the Vieux Carre. 

Classic Swing are a team of 6 experienced musicians and vocalist, whose current members are very experienced , having previously played in some of those bands mentioned above, and are carrying on the tradition started by those earlier bands. 

The line up is currently a front line of Sax/Clarinet/Trombone, with a Piano, Double Bass, and Drums rhythm section, plus vocalist Olive.

The band have had various residencies on Tyneside, and have played at The Mouth of the Tyne festival on several occasions, as well as playing at several local jazz clubs, including  Boston Spa in Yorkshire, Birtley Jazz Club, Ashington Jazz Club, Blaydon Jazz Club, and Carlisle Jazz Club, as well as Ayr jazz club in Scotland.

The band currently have a Friday afternoon residency at Cullercoats Crescent Club, where we play an entertaining and varied session to an enthusiastic crowd. The club is easily accessible via local bus and metro, and admission is free.

(Further information about the Panama Jazzmen can be found here. )