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

Friday, July 08, 2011

Golden Wedding @ Jazz @ The Fell @ The Legion

John Cowan (cornet); Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl); Jim McBriarty (alt/clt/vcl); George Richardson (pno); Alan Rudd (bs); Ian Hetherington (dms); Olive Rudd (vcl)
Ron Pollard welcomed everyone to his 50th Golden Wedding anniversary which by my reckoning means Ron and Joyce have been married for 2,500 years - or maybe it just seems like it!
Only joking, Ron and Joyce, I think you are one of the happiest couples I know - your chemistry on the dance floor proves it.
The Maine Street Jazzmen provided the music and were in good fettle. Jim McBriarty was back on clarinet and Ian Hetherington on drums. After the "Star couple" had twirled around the floor to The Anniversary Waltz the band set off in earnest with Big Butter and Egg Man. Herbie later sang Isle of Capri in a kind of Geordie patois and Olive sang Some of These Days diplomatically substituting "Your big fat mama" with "Your little sweet mama" as indeed befits the lady!
A thought occurred to me as I listened to the band playing China Boy. When George Richardson replaced Malcolm on piano it was akin to the time that Joe Bushkin replaced George Zack in Muggsy's Ragtime band.
Came the interval and the buffet was unveiled.
It was sumptuous and provided by members appreciative of the amount of time that Ron and Joyce have devoted to the music they love.
Several musos were in the audience including ex MSJ trumpet player Alan Smith, Roly Veitch, Mr and Mrs Bacon (Paul and Liz), Derek Cogger to mention but the ones I noticed.
I left as the second set began and I owe a massive apology to Joyce and Ron for leaving before Ron had finished his thank you speech but the number 54 was due...
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful evening and long may you both - and the Jazz Club - prosper. Photos by Eddie Carson.
Lance.

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