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

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.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, 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.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

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

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Local Singer Tragically Killed

This is just too tragic for words.
Well known as a singer at Lindsay Hannon's jazz singing class at the Sage, Heather was also a regular performer at the Chilli and the Star and showed great potential.
Lance.

9 comments :

Michael Howard and Blue Jazz Quintet (on F/b) said...

We'll always remember you and your singing with us Heather.

Lance said...

Many more comments on our network F/b post.

Michael Papapavlou said...

What a tragic loss, she was such a very nice, warm woman, she will always be remembered and missed.

Andria Moffatt said...

My memories of you are as a new friend, made through the Blue/Jazz group, & we hit it off from the time you joined. You were a good listener when I needed a moan, & we talked often, & I still have the cd, (thanks to Gabrielle), of the time we sang on the Sage concourse that Jazz weekend. We had a great time. You will be a great miss Heather, by everyone who knew you. Memories never die. Gone too soon. God Bless you. xx

Anonymous said...

I still can't believe this and can hardly bear to think about it. Heather was a lovely warm person who gave me lifts to the metro and was interesting to talk to, and such a promising singer. She won't ever be forgotten by the Blue Jazz Voices.
Ann Alexander

Jennifer Errington said...

Can't get my head around the fact that we won't see Heather again. I also knew her through BJV and we went to a number of jazz events together. Last one was Courtney Pine at Hoochie Coochie. I can still see her lovely radiant smile, having a great time and enjoying being with friends. She had so much to live for. So very sad.
Jenx

Tess and Alice (on F/b) said...

Hi, I saw your name in the Chronicle article, which is how I have found this page. I hope that is okay. We sang with Heather for a short while with Newcastle Choral society. She joined our little "gang" in the back row and we'd go out/get together from time to time, after she moved on from the choir. What a smiley and friendly person she was....We are all so shocked and upset to hear of what has happened. We would be so grateful if anyone could share information about Heather's funeral or any memorial as and when it is arranged, as we are not in touch with any of her other friends. Many thanks, Tess King (with Alice Bosomworth)

Joan said...

Like everyone who met Heather I will miss her happy smiling face. I will also miss our long telephone and email conversations, her vibrant and intelligent contributions to Pink Lane Jazz Co-op and sharing her love for singing and listening to Jazz. I will always remember this beautiful serene and thoughtful woman. I will never understand how someone whose motto when dealing with disagreements was "to smile sweetly and nod" met such a violent end. May you children always be kept happy and safe. Love and peace be with you my friend.

Anonymous said...

Heather's memorial service is being held at 3pm on Tuesday 21st May 2013 at All Saints Church, Gosforth. I am sure it will be well attended as we all want to show our respect for Heather and her lovely children.

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