Bebop Spoken There

Ethan Hawke (starring as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon): ''Larry [Lorenz] Hart would be so happy that his music and his words and his poetry are still alive.'' - The Northern Echo 27 November 2025

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

18000 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 964 of them this year alone and, so far, 73 this month (Nov. 24).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 07: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. special guest Donna Hewitt (sax, clarinet).
Sun 07: Finn-Keeble Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 07: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 07: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 07: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Trio + Ruth Lambert.
Sun 07: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 07: Jason Isaacs Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 5:15pm (4:00pm doors). £21.50 (inc. bf).
Sun 07: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 07: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Support set from Play More Jazz! course participants. Note earlier start.

Mon 08: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 09: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm

Wed 10: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 10: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Mike Lindup Jazz Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £26.50 (inc. bf). Lindup, Yolanda Charles (bass), John Sam (drums).
Wed 10: Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £12.00.

Thu 11: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: West Coast (cool ) / Wordsearch (cool) Cool Jazz or ‘Cold’, ‘Cool’, ‘Hot’, ‘Warm’ in the title or lyrics.
Thu 11: George Robinson @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £5.42 (inc. bf). Vienna’s Voice charity evening featuring ’15 year old singing sensation the ‘Redcar Crooner’ George Robinson’. Over 35s only.
Thu 11: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. back tapes.
Thu 11: Ransom Van @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 11: Down for the Count Swing Orchestra @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:30pm. £37.70 (inc. bf). ‘Swing into Xmas’.

Fri 12: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 12: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ Northumberland Club, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £15.00. ‘Xmas Soiree’.
Fri 12: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00. Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax); Matthew Forster (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flute, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone);Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 12: Tony Hadley: Xmas Big Band Tour 2025 @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Fri 12: Alexia Gardner @ The New Ship Inn, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. 8:00pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy, Abbie Finn.
Fri 12: Jive Aces: Swingin’ Xmas Show @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 8:00pm.

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

Saturday, July 16, 2011

R.I.P. Eric Delaney

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Eric Delaney. One of the finest drummers this country has ever produced I followed his career from the days of Geraldo until recent years when I was privileged to meet him on several occasions up here in the north-east.
Broadcasts with Kenny Baker's Dozen, Melody Maker All-stars LPs, hearing his own big band both on record and at Newcastle City Hall as well as enumerable small bands - all left a lasting impression with me.
I well recall taking him over to The Porthole in North Shields last year where he sat in with the band and, using only a snare drum, he dazzled everyone with his breaks on Cute.
He was a close friend of the late American drummer Louis Bellson and they made a much sort after drum duo LP together (Repercussion). Eric was very proud of that session and the last time I met him he had a copy of the sleeve with him. Another LP (Conversations) saw Eric holding his own alongside Bellson, Buddy Rich and Kenny Clare. Fast company indeed but Eric moved easily in fast company!
In a business that's well endowed with characters Eric was a character's character.
Speaking to a close friend of Eric's she told me how upset he was at the death of Jack Parnell - well he's up there with Jack now and won't they have some stories and memories to exchange?
Rest in Peace Eric - you were the absolute best and I was proud to have known you.
Eric died on July 15, 2011 aged 87.
Obituary. Benidorm tributes.
Lance.
at

5 comments :

Gavin Spowart said...

Hearing the news yesterday from Bruce Adams left me feeling stunned like I had experienced death in my own family ! I'll never forget doing the seasons at Blackpool Tower 7 days a week including Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.I asked Eric why don't we have a day off ? He replied "You will only go and play for someone else" 7 years with Eric, what an education. Gavin Spowart.

Sunday, July 17, 2011 12:59:00 pm
Syd Appleton (on LondonJazz) said...

So sad to hear of Eric's passing. He depped several times over the last few years with Kenny's band and will be missed by all in the Jazz Family.. Syd (on behalf of the Kenny Ball Band.)

Monday, July 18, 2011 11:51:00 pm
Anonymous said...

I was very lucky to have a chat with Eric & get a pic at The 100 Club when he was there for the George Webb fairwell gig, A Great Man & A Terrific Drummer, Just keep on Knockin Eric!! Dav Allen.

Sunday, July 24, 2011 10:44:00 pm
Anonymous said...

I spent a very happy 18 months as Erics bass player in the early 70`s. What a gentleman and musician he was. R.I.P.mate. Ali thorn

Monday, April 30, 2012 12:27:00 pm
Ali Thorn. said...

I spent a very happy 18 months as Eric's bass player in the early 70`s. What a gentleman and musician he was. R.I.P.mate.

Monday, April 30, 2012 1:16:00 pm

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