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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, January 22, 2013

R.I.P. Vince Bovill


(Report by Lance.)
The death was reported in the Shields Gazette last night of Vince Bovill. Vince was born in South Shields  but graduated via local palais bands to London where he joined the Vic Lewis Orchestra in 1949 playing second tenor alongside another South Shields saxophonist, Kathy Stobart.
1951 found him in the Oscar Rabin Band, resident at London's Lyceum Ballroom. He later joined the Eric Delaney Band and again there was a north east presence - Des Lumsdon - also on tenor.
From here on I'm not sure of what path his career followed save that he was a woodwind peripatetic in Sunderland for many years as well as gigging around with various bands including Les Seymour at the Bay Hotel, Whitburn. When Eric Delaney died in 2011 Vince's son - Vince Bovill Jnr. - posted the following comment on LondonJazz.:
Over the years both myself and my dad have had contact with Eric - gigs etc. 3 years ago I met Eric at the Sunderland International Airshow. A 'reunion' was arranged at the Board Inn in Sunderland where some fascinating discussion took place along with photographs with Eric, Dad, Son (cornet player) and Grandson (Dan Bovill - drummer). My dad joked about how Eric and himself might be the last survivors of the band. My dad is still alive and was obviously shocked to hear the news. He often tells me stories about the tours with Eric - great listening - Vince Bovill Jnr..
Hopefully some of our older readers will come forward with more information.
What is indisputable is that hel was capable of performing at the highest level in some fine bands.
Vince Bovill died suddenly on January 9, 2013.  The notice in the Gazette requested donations to the Customs House Big Band in lieu of flowers, The funeral will be held at Sunderland Crem. on Monday January 28 at 10AM.
He was 89.
R.I.P.
Obituary from Sunderland Echo.
Lance.
In the above photo Vince is at the far right of the Oscar Rabin sax section. Left to right in the picture are: Ken O'Donnell, bass; Roy Bull, Conrad Knowles, Cecil Pressling, Pete Warner, Vince Bovill, saxes; Bill Geldard, trombone.

3 comments :

Debra Milne said...

My uncle Leon Turner (& another brother Sam) played trumpet in the Oscar Rabin band around the same time as Vince. If anyone has any memories of this or photos, would be great to find out more......

Jane Nesbitt said...

My dad Alan Nesbitt played tenor sax with Eric Delaneys band too. The photo in tonights Sunderlnd Echo shows my dad on it. he too was born in South Shields and went into teaching after being a professional musician in London and the North East. RIP Vince

Kevin Elliott said...

Hi Lance, I worked for some years in Les Seymour's band with Vince, at the Bay Hotel. Unfortunately, your picture seems to have disappeared. It would have been interesting for me as I moved to Kent, married a girl from Orpington who had her sax lessons from local sax teacher, Pete Warner! Happy days. RIP guys!

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