TODAY MONDAY MAY 28.

JAZZ IN THE AFTERNOON - Crescent Club, 1 Huddleston, Cullercoats. NE30 4QS. 1:00pm. Free. 0191 2530242.
A fun filled afternoon of traditional jazz.
VIEUX CARRE JAZZMEN - Corner House Hotel, Heaton Rd., Heaton, Newcastle NE6 5RP. £3. 8:30pm.
A fun filled evening of traditional jazz.
THE BLAYDON ACES - Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond NE2 2AE.. 0191 2399924. Free.7:30pm.

Good food, traditional north east songs with a difference by Roly Veitch and James Birkett.

JAZZTONES - Darlington Forum. 8:00pm. Free. 01325 363135.

Swinging new band on the Teesside scene.

Monday, 14 February 2011

The Saddest Possible Day. Farewell Sir George

The death of George Shearing earlier today is a truly sad occasion - arguably the UK's greatest jazz musician - I have, apart from the records, two very happy memories of hearing George live.
The first was in 1962 when, on my honeymoon, we heard him at Finsbury Park Empire sharing the bill with singer Joe Williams and Junior Mance.
The second time was in the 1980s at the Royal Festival Hall with Mel Tormé. On both occasions his playing knocked me out. Hearing Shearing, if you'll pardon the rhyme, was more than listening to those famous block chords - although I could listen to them forever - it was hearing a master jazz craftsman, a true artiste who ranked with the best of them.
George was 91 and we knew he wouldn't last forever but, in our hearts, we hoped he would.
RIP George, you will be sadly missed but up there, flying high in Birdland, you will be welcomed.
I'm going to play those quintet records and wallow amongst those rich harmonies.
YouTube link from Hil.
Lance.
at 18:59

4 comments; click to add more:

  1. Lance did you know that George was Eric's (Delaney)best man at his first wedding? after I read it I rang him and he's broken hearted. Thank you for letting us know.

    ReplyDelete

  2. A beautifully worded tribute Lance, you echo our thoughts , those of us who loved & enjoyed this modest man's immense talent.
    The song is ended but the melody lingers on
    Liz

    ReplyDelete

  3. George Shearing R.I.P. God Bless.
    One of my teachers Arthur Jackson (also blind)was a great admirer of George Shearing, I have a recording I made of Kinda Cute which I will now call Tribute to George Shearing, on my reverbnation page-
    http://www.reverbnation.com/soundprism

    The world is less without George, but we should keep his memory going.

    ReplyDelete

  4. Ages since I heard "kinda cute" thanks Neil, a fitting choice for the great man
    Liz

    ReplyDelete

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