HOUSE OF THE BLACK GARDENIA (2025)
Sat, 17 May
|Hindmarsh Hall, Alnmouth
Jazz roots, big band swing and rhythm and blues
Time & Location
17 May 2025, 19:00 – 23:00
Hindmarsh Hall, Alnmouth, 1 Northumberland St, Alnmouth, Alnwick NE66 2RS, UK
About the event
HOUSE OF THE BLACK GARDENIA (details TBC)
Born of the desire to get their city’s dancefloors swinging to the lesser-known roots music of the 1920s and ’30s, House of the Black Gardenia brings together the new generation of Newcastle’s jazz and swing scene for a raucous revival of old-fashioned good times. Expect stride piano, ragtime banjo, Sousa bumps, blistering New Orleans-style horns and infectious swing rhythms more potent than a bathtub full of gin.
Formed in 2014, HOTBG are nine musicians steeped in jazz roots, big band swing and rhythm and blues, many of whom are familiar faces on the vibrant Newcastle jazz scene. The album was recorded in deepest Northumberland, with mixing and arrangements by the band.
While the music is deeply rooted in the dancefloor styles of a century ago, lyrically the band tackle such thorny contemporary topics as President Trump (Big Big Man), unsolicited d**k pics (Picture Message Blues) and how to build a kid’s confidence in a selfie-obsessed era (One In A Million).
“a hotter than hades lowdown and dirty jazz band! The joint was jumping!” – Patti Durham, Whitley Bay Jazz Festival
“With a fine knack for filling the city’s dancefloors with super-retro roots music, the group party like it’s 1929” – Narc Magazine
Tickets £TBC / Accompanied U16s £TBC - Limited to 60 places.
Doors 7pm for a 7:30pm start
Bring own drinks, glasses & nibbles
Entry strictly by pre-booking – Tickets available at
- The Aln Gift Shop, Alnmouth or
- via John on T: 07905 696555 or E: JRMusicana@gmail.com