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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
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: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, August 21, 2013

Death of an Icon - RIP Marian McPartland OBE.

We knew it had to come but even so we weren't prepared for it. I refer to the death, announced yesterday (August 20),.of British expat pianist Marian McPartland, perhaps our greatest jazz export.
Marian was more than just a pianist, albeit a very good one who was never static but always willing to absorb new ideas providing they were harmonically sound. She was also a legend in your own living room via her radio series Piano Jazz. Over a period of 30 years she interviewed just about every jazz pianist of note as well as other instrumentalists and singers. Inevitably she would play a duet with her guest which led to the title of Paul De Barros' superb biography Shall We Play That One Together. An earlier book, by McPartland herself, was also appropriately titled - All In Good Time for, whether playing or interviewing her timing was perfect.
The trio she led at New York's Hickory House with Joe Morello and Bill Crow was arguably the best combo to play that venue. Ironically only yesterday a Piano Jazz interview with Cedar Walton was posted on Facebook as a tribute to the pianist who'd died the day previous.
I am genuinely saddened at the loss of this remarkable woman even though I only heard her live on one occasion - the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1985 - her playing and her personality have left a lasting impression on myself and many many others throughout the world.
Marian McPartland OBE died on August 20 aged 95.
Sadly missed.
Lance.
PS: Wynton Marsalis sums her up beautifully on F/b.
Marian McPartland was a tireless champion for our music -- living proof and the embodiment of Jazz as an international language. A lover of people and an astounding variety of musicians, she was capable of playing in almost every style of Jazz with wit, sophistication and insight. When I was a sophomore in high school, she gave a master class at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and later invited us to play a gig with her and was gracious and encouraging. Students all over the world have the same story, I'm sure. She will be missed, but the blessing she put on all of us will resonate.
Wynton

4 comments :

Jude (on F/b) said...

Oh how sad.

Ric Nickels said...

Sorry to here about the death of another Jazz legend.Also with the passing of George Duke and Cedar Walton I just relized that all three were pianist. So I can see the three of them Jammin!! in heaven

Lance said...

Just played some solo tracks Marian recorded live at Lincoln Center - What's Your Story Morning Glory? I'm a grown man - I shouldn't be crying. But I'm not ashamed. I've lost a wonderful pianist and my favourite facebook friend!

Anne DeVere Harper (on F/b) said...

Great lady, beautiful player!

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