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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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