Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 07: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

Thu 10: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.CANCELLED!
Thu 10: Magpies of Swing @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. A Globe fundraiser (all proceeds to the venue).
Thu 10: Exhaust: Camila Nebbia/Kit Downes/Andrew Lisle @ Jesmond URC, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. JNE.
Thu 10: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guests Ray Dales & Jackie Summers.

Fri 11: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: John Rowland Trio: The Music of Ben Webster @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Fri 11: Imelda May @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 11: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ Cullercoats Watch House. 7:30-9:00pm. Free (donations).

Sat 12: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 12: Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra + House of the Black Gardenia + King Bees @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 6:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sat 12: Bright Street Big Band @ Washington Arts Centre. 6:30pm. £12.00. Event includes swing dance taster session, DJ dance session. Bright Street Big Band on stage 7:30-8:15pm & 8:45-9:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 12: Imelda May @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £42.20. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Bungalow Jazz Club, South Shields. Recalled by Jim McD.

I wonder how many jazz fans ‘of a certain age’ recall the Bungalow Jazz Club in South Shields? Situated behind the County Hotel and attached to the local cricket/rugby ground it was, during the 1960s, perhaps better known as a dance studio (The Gilbert Daniels’ School of Dancing.) However, on, I think, Sunday (or was it Friday?) evenings it became a modern jazz club. It wasn’t a club in the sense that paying customers sat at tables and listened with intent – no Corner House/Blue Note furrowed brows here. They drank, smoked, socialized and, horror of horrors, even talked - sometimes quite loudly so that they could be heard above the music. They may even have attempted to dance. Those few who were more interested in modern jazz stood closer to the bandstand. Many musicians passed through, some fleetingly others on a more regular basis. Fondly remembered are; Kenny Morrell (piano), Dave Fox (drums), Joe Cooper (piano) - he specialized in Brubeckian renditions such as “When You Wish Upon a Star” from ‘Dave plays Disney’ - pianist Frankie Hedley, tenorman Eric Pollard and, of course, arranger/trombonist Ray Chester (now 80 yrs and despite physical setbacks still playing I believe!) I would guess that Tommy Moran would have also been in there blowing alto. Now comes a bit of a mystery. There was a young man playing piano; the brother of a soon to be world famous drummer, the pianists name - Billy Stephenson, the drummer’s first name Ronnie. Ronnie Stephenson met up with Ian and Mike Carr and became one of the founding members of possibly the greatest jazz group to come out of the north east, I refer to the Emcee Five who, at the time, played a regular gig at the Down Beat Club, Newcastle. I would be delighted to know what became of Billy Stephenson - one of the Bungalow’s finest. I recall, fairly recently, talking to a Bungalow regular. He told the tale of how one of the club’s ‘socialisers’ – he’d go there to chat up the ladies rather than to dig the music - went to a Buddy Rich concert. Asked what he thought of Buddy the fellow replied, “It was amazing - he plays just like Dave Fox.” Although my own experience of Jazz at the Bungalow was limited to a few visits during 1960/61, it was a venue that left a lasting impression on me and furthered my interest in Modern Jazz. Jim McDowell.
Editors note; As Dave's daughter Debbie has added a comment I have brought this post forward in the hope that there are others around who may remember the Bungalow Jazz club and Dave Fox and who may even have photos.

4 comments :

Lance said...

I think Billy Stephenson may have led a band at La Dolcé Vita the premier night club of its day. A second brother, Bob Stephenson, played drums and vibes. I think he did a spell with the NDO (Northrtn Dance Orchestra). I met him when he was a rep for one of the distributers to the music trade.

Deb Hickman was Fox said...

Dave Fox's daughter Debbie here - I am chuffed to know someone else thought my Dad was as good a drummer if not better than his hero Buddy Rich! He was also a big Art Blakey fan. Dave died 8 years ago to the day today which prompted me to google him for the first time - thanks for the memory!!

Deb Hickman was Fox said...

Re your editor's note - That's really kind - thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi, this is Bob Stephenson's daughter, and Ronnie Stephenson's niece. Dad did have a band at La Dolce Vita for many years. He has lived and worked in Scotland since 1980, until he retired 15 years ago. Still playing!

Blog Archive