Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Roly Veitch Banjo Player!

Roly has tried to keep this dark side of his musical orientation a secret from family, friends and fellow musicians. However, he's been 'outed' after being caught plonking beneath the fly-over at The Black Bull, Wardley, in full view of fun-runners in this year's Great North Run.
He admits to having an interest in cross-dressing and habitually wears garish waistcoats and straw boaters usually worn by members of the opposite sax. When confronted, Roly said "OK, I admit it! I'm bimusical and I don't care who knows - bongos to the lot of you!"
Brian Bennett (Good friend, fellow banjo plonker and competing gig forager, of The Vieux Carre Jazzmen. )

3 comments :

Roly said...

Damnation. I thought I'd got away with it. It was very nice having all those runners clapping as they went past but tell me, why did they have two fingers sticking out?
'Scuse me - must get back to practising my Formby medley.
Roly

Liz said...

My brother who is a bass player also does a crackin' banjo medley of Formby faves as well as just about anything that is banjo friendly. You just can't help having a big smile pasted on your face listening to George's cheeky numbers & It was always an occasion for a family singalong when Norman sang about his "little stick of Blackpool rock!"
Liz

G.Fawkes said...

Banjo friendly?
We're having a 'banjo friendly' party on Nov. 5. All banjo players are invited to bring their instruments along. Safety matches supplied F.O.C.
Guy.

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