One of Tyneside’s finest cultural institutions, the Jumpin’ Hot Club, is 40 years old this year and they’re celebrating with a fascinating exhibition at Gateshead’s St Mary’s Heritage Centre. Naturally, they’ve also got plenty of gigs lined up too.

One of the region’s finest singer/songwriters, the Mercury-nominated Kathryn Williams, has previously commented: “I can’t imagine Newcastle without the Jumpin’ Hot Club.” But back through the mists of time – over 40 years ago – this live music platform didn’t exist. But it was precisely because Graham Anderson and Adam Collerton couldn’t find the kind of gigs that they wanted to attend that they ended up founding the Jumpin’ Hot Club, which began life at The Bridge Hotel cellar bar. The club would then go on to platform roots music in venues right across the north-east, taking in all manner of genres including jazz, country, western, blues, ska, reggae, rockabilly and world music. Among the acts that the club has brought our way down through the decades include the likes of Candi Staton, Scotty Moore, Odetta, Seasick Steve, Ryan Adams, Toots & The Maytals, Prince Buster, Ron Sexsmith, KT Tunstell, Roaring Lion and countless others. Over time, they were also involved in several show-stopping festivals including Evolution, Summertyne, Fish Quay and the Country Cantina. Graham Anderson and Adam Collerton are still very much involved in the running of the club and down through the years they have collected all sorts of ephemera, much of which you can see at this brand new exhibition at St. Mary’s Heritage Centre on Gateshead Quayside (just next to The Glasshouse). The show will include photographs, old posters, leaflets, brochures, rare video footage, unique and quirky memorabilia and plenty more besides. The exhibition is due to open on Saturday 18 October, and, naturally, they’ve lined up a live show to launch the thing in fine style. This will include a special acoustic set from one of the UK’s finest soul/funk bands Smoove & Turrell, who first played for the Jumpin’ Hot Club back in 2009. Also on the bill is Georgia May (pictured), an extravagantly talented neo-soul artist from Newcastle who is very much part of Jumpin’ Hot Club’s sister company Northern Roots, which supports and develops emerging talent. The bill is made up by Tommy Arch, a former member of Holy Moly & The Crackers, who deals in only the finest country and soul. The exhibition is running until Saturday 1 November and, once again, they’ve got a fab line-up to close the whole caboodle. This will include a special set from The Often Herd – one of the most engaging and dynamic live acts on the UK’s bluegrass, Americana and roots scene – who will be joined by Rob Heron (leader of the much feted Tea Pad Orchestra). Also look out for local bluegrass duo Errant Moose (Phillipa Ogden / Phoebe Stephenson) and Shipcote & Nev Clay. Of course, and as ever, the Jumpin’ Hot Club also have a raft of other gigs going on throughout October and beyond such as Catfish Keith at Cluny 2 (5 October), the Bronwynne Brent Trio + Basset at Central Bar (11 October), Mary Gauthier + Jaimee Harris at Gosforth Civic Theatre (2 November) and, also at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Ashley Campbell & Her Band + Sam Shields & Emma Robson (23 November). Details on all these gigs, along with all the other Jumpin’ Hot Club shows – and exhibition – are available from the website, below. STOP PRESS: Just found out that an updated version of Graham Anderson’s book ‘Where Good Music Belongs’ will be available to buy at the exhibition. It’s a fantastic read detailing the club’s history. T-shirts and posters will also be available, too.

Jumpin’ Hot Club 40th anniversary exhibition, Saturday 18 October-Saturday 1 November, St. Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead (opposite The Glasshouse), 1pm-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday (closed Monday & Tuesday), free. jumpinhotclub.com