Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

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, April 12, 2011

Syd Dale, the Squadronaires and more.

Back in October 2008 we had some interest in The Squadronaires and Syd Dale and there were posts by Liz as well as drummer/vibist Laurie Brown (How are you Laurie Brown haven't heard from you for a while?)
Now, 30 months later, Ian Dale, son of Syd, has added to the comments as well as giving me details of a website dedicated to Syd Dale - http://www.syddale.co.uk/
Well worth a visit for those interested in this man of many talents.
Lance.
PS: It dates before the days of Syd Dale but interesting, nevertheless, is this autographed photo of the original wartime Squadronaires sent to me by that indefatigable historian Colin Aitchison.
Lance.

3 comments :

Liz said...

Ah yes Syd Dale, I knew his brother Geoff well, who was such a lovely person & I know he was proud of his sibling's success, enjoyed reading the website.
Liz

Laurie Brown said...

Well Ian these comments are a few years old but great you have picked
up on them. Now what year were you born? I'm try to recall the situation when I left London (and even the year)! All seems a long time ago now.
The pianist with the Squads prior
to Syd was Jack Honeybourne he
emigrated to Australia wonder if he
stayed? What happened to Syd's piano? A Bechstein was it? He spent a fortune having it restored !

harmonology said...

Hi Laurie, sorry for the delay in reply I was unaware you had left the comment. My twin sister Erica and I were born in 1958 a couple of years following the loos of Syds first son who died only a few months old. The piano is in my house, it is a Chappell piano and again is in need of some tender loving care! Best wishes,
Ian, x

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