Bebop Spoken There

Jools Holland (on his 2026 spring/summer tour): ''With the mighty [R&B] Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows [including Darlington Hippodrome, June 19], we're in for some very special evenings of music.'' The Northern Echo February 5, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.

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

Sunday, November 29, 2009

CHRIS YATES - The Saddest Day.

This is probably one of the saddest postings I've ever had to make but the news, just received, that Jazz North East Supremo Chris Yates has died of a massive heart attack on SATURDAY evening is just that.
I doubt if there is anyone in the jazz fraternity both local and national who didn't know Chris.
Chris Yates' involvement with the music he loved can be traced back to his younger days in Hull and Scarborough then in Newcastle. That journey is beautifully described in his recently published book of reminiscences "Blue Horizons".
Chris wasn't just a part of Jazz North East he WAS Jazz North East and I know that none of the fellow members of that fine organisation would dispute it.
In 1983 he asked me to become a part of that team and I did so for a number of years then, only this week, he welcomed me back to Jazz North East. Little did I know that that was the last contact I would ever have with him.
He was a gentle, rather beautiful person, whose dedication to jazz covered all genre from New Orleans to Free. Apart from "Blue Horizons" he was a regular writer and reviewer for a variety of Jazz Magazines including "Jazz UK" and "The Jazz Rag".
The recent "Gig of the Year" post on this site was instigated by Chris and, as he became more computer literate late in life, was a regular site visitor.
Chris was on his way to Gateshead for the Profound Sound Trio gig at Gateshead Old Town Hall on Thursday when he collapsed.
Despite the efforts of Stephen and the paramedics he died on Saturday evening.
I'm sure everyone will join with me in passing on our condolences to Laura, Stephen and Kate. Somehow, going to the Corner House is never going to be quite the same no matter who is performing.
Rest In Peace,
Lance.
PS: Chris died on Saturday not on Friday as I previously announced.
at

2 comments :

John Taylor said...

I'm lost for words.
His book will be his epitaph.
John Taylor of Ashington Jazz Club.

Sunday, November 29, 2009 2:49:00 pm
Liz said...

I didn't know Chris but having read the words of condolence by Lance, Paul & John I too echo my sympathy to his family & those who mourn his loss
Liz

Sunday, November 29, 2009 8:27:00 pm

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