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, June 25, 2010

Farewell Alan Plater O.B.E.

Alan Plater O.B.E died earlier today aged 75. Author, playwright and jazz aficionado, Alan managed to successfully incorporate the jazz idiom into much of his writing.
The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The Beiderbecke Trilogy, Doggin Around, Mysterioso, Looking For Buddy were just some of the jazz related items that came from his prolific pen.
Like a jazz solo, his writing was fluent, structured and often with the sound of surprise so essential to both crafts.
Born in Jarrow (like myself), he went to Hull University (like myself albeit I only went on a two day course!) before going on to become one of Britain's finest writers (unlike myself.)
I'm fortunate in having much of his work in book form or on video so although he is gone he will not be forgotten in this household.
Rest In Peace - very sadly missed.
Lance.

2 comments :

Russell said...

Hi Lance

Yes,gone but not forgotten.

Russell

Ray Shenton said...

He also studied Architecture at Newcastle Kings College, then Durham University nnd when I started there in 1956, one of my lasting memories of him was him passing one of the open toed sandalled second year hippies sitting on the steps to the School of Architecture and casually throwing a copper coin at his feet. He had a wonderful cheeky sense of humour which shows up in his wonderful writing skills.

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