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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

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: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
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: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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, June 24, 2013

Ray Chester Tribute Concert @ The Customs House June 23.

Don Fairley, Keith Norris, Caroline Norris, Dave Brock, Alan Bravey (tmb); Mark Webb, Graham Hardy, Dave Hignett, Gordon Marshall, Mick Hill (tpt); Steve Summers, John Hudson (ten); Andy Bennett, Kim Webb (alt); Niall Armstrong (bar); Colin Haikney (pno); James Birkett (gtr); Ray Truscott (bs); Stuart Haikney (dms); MIA WEBB (vcl).
(Review by Lance)
They came to praise Caesar not to bury him - to paraphrase The Bard. Caesar, or rather Ray Chester, was very much alive at the Customs House on this very emotional farewell. The bandleader, composer, arranger, trombonist, pianist, trumpet player, teacher and you name it, was here tonight. Here, in the arrangements he wrote, his compositions, and the band he crafted into an award winning outfit. Two hundred of us listened and applauded the music that was laid down. Musically speaking this was a banquet, no dogs dinner this feast!.
In such a star studded ensemble how can you single out individuals? They all played their part.
None more so than Mia Webb who compéred the show with anecdotes and songs.Mia occasionally struggled to keep a dry eye - didn't we all?
Mia also looked sensational in a couple of black sparkly sequined gowns.
Colin Haikney played a blinder on piano and ensured the band picked up the cues.
The trombones - OMG what a task! Ray's trombone stood forlornly, yet shining like a beacon, at the front of the stage. Don Fairley (with the band since its inception in 1966) bravely faced up to the task of taking Ray's place. Ray would have been proud of him maybe saying to the angel Gabriel who was also digging the gig - "Of course he's good after 40 odd years it had to rub off on somebody!"
Keith Norris also had a few moments and all five played a lovely version of My Foolish Heart.
The saxes were on fire - Steve Summers and John Hudson blew great tenor - a score draw. Steve is a doctor. I wish he were my doctor:
"Doctor I'm having trouble with my embouchure. I've been taking Rico number 3s. Do you think I should try Van Doren 2s?"
"I'm giving you a prescription that you must stick to - long notes, arpeggios and Sonny Rollins transcriptions to be taken daily for at least two hours."
Andy Bennett on alto cruised through the parts and blew soprano, flute and clarinet. Niall Armstrong, as ever, the anchor man on baritone and bass clarinet had a Carney-like feature on Naomi - composed by Ray and dedicated to his granddaughter. Mia's daughter Kim didn't solo but played her part(s) in helping the saxes achieve such a full, balanced sound.
The trumpets! The Powerhouse Five - Hardy and Hignett, Mick Hill, Gordon Marshall and Mark Webb - the sky's the limit!
From where I sat down front I couldn't see James Birkett but, fortunately, he could be heard. Truscott on bass and Stuart Haikney on drums - along with Haikney pere on piano gave us a rhythm section to savour.
Too many numbers to list or even highlight however, it would be unfair not to mention Mia's version - á la Lee - of  The Folks Who Live on the Hill. Sung beautifully with the reeds doubling on flute, clarinets and bass clarinet to catch the authenticity of the original - mint!
Sadly this was the last concert ever by the band with the pad being donated to Sage Gateshead where, hopefully, it will be available for reference and to advance the career and development of the next Ray Chester - it may take a while...
Ray's family must be very proud of their dad and we are thankful to them for making a wonderful evening possible. Proceeds from the concert are being donated to St. Benedict's Hospice in Sunderland.
Photos.
Lance.

1 comment :

Ian Chester said...

Many thanks for that wonderful tribute Lance - it's much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Ian Chester

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