Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Monday, September 03, 2012

Farewell Maggie Ross


She fought long and hard but sadly, she lost. The death was announced yesterday of blues singer Maggie Ross - one of the finest blues gals around the north-east and indeed anywhere. Facebook had been overflowing with support for Maggie who only 10 days ago was interviewed on Look North. The tributes on the social network site have started and there will be a deserved deluge.
Only this morning I received an email from Anne (DeVere) Harper which gives an indication of the love Maggie inspired.
Hi Lance, don't know if you caught Maggie on 'Look North' last week. I worked with her at the Mayfair in the 80's. She has a huge following in the R&B venues and has a big voice for such a cutie. She has terminal cancer and if you track her on Facebook you can see all the posts--tragic as she was so vivacious and loved by all. The lass will fight to the end!!! Love Anne.
Listen to Hoochie Coochie Woman recorded less than a year ago at Stockton.
Lance. (Photo by Amanda Morgan).

3 comments :

Mal Maddock (on Facebook) said...

So sad.

Unknown said...

I worked with Maggie for a number of years. She was a "working" vocalist in bands.
she was with Ken Maddison trio for a number of years then "did the clubs".
After retiring she got bored and decided to sing blues. By using her usual wonderful talent she became the blues singer to watch and was singing to the end. She even sang at her living wake.
BIG BIG MISS

Anonymous said...

Hi Colin, I was just browsing the internet for information about my Dad and saw this sad news about Maggie. Really sorry to hear that she's passed away, although it's wonderful to think of her singing right up to the end. I hope you're well. Jane Maddison
Kind regards, Jane

Blog Archive