Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

August

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Moonlight is Dimmed in Vermont

Just heard of the death of Margaret Whiting (seen here with Johnny Mercer) on Jan 10 aged 87. Maybe she was/wasn't a jazz singer but she could interpret a lyric along with the best of them and in the class, and I use the word advisedly, of popular singers 'Maggie' rates pretty high.
Her pedigree was of the thoroughbred variety - her father was Richard Whiting composer of My Blue Heaven, Too Marvelous for Words and many more.
Her first hit back in the mid forties - Moonlight in Vermont - seemed the obvious choice for this short remembrance but then I came across the Lies of Handsome Men which I find has a surprising contemporary 1970s feel to it and photo montage is brilliant even if they did miss me out! Also try Spotify for a hilarious duet with Bob Hope - Blind Date. Farewell.
Obit.
Lance.

3 comments :

Liz said...

I loved her! a straight ahead singer if ever I heard one, thanks Lance for this tribute
Liz

Miles said...

Sad to read about the death of Margaret Whiting. When I was a lad my brother had a very eclectic record collection and among it was one of her records, I forget what the A side was but the B side was The End Of A Love Affair which I nearly wore out. Maybe it was an omen but the lyric that sticks in my mind was " the tunes I request are not always the best but the ones where the trumpets blare".
Perhaps this is a song for Ruth or Zoe

Sue Parish said...

I didn't know about this wonderful singer, and have just been completely spellbound by her version of this lovely song. I'll check out more. Thanks.
Sue Parish

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