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

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.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: 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 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Friday, March 14, 2014

RIP Terry Willits.

Peter Bevan has kindly, albeit sadly, drawn my attention to the death on February 14 of Terry Willits - trumpet player, lecturer, broadcaster and pillar of Teesdale Society.
Born in South Shields, he spent much of his formative years in Darlington. He later became a lecturer at Leicester University and was a member of the 1981 award winning Radio Leicester Big Band. Upon retirement he moved to Barnard Castle where he was very much involved in community affairs including promoting jazz concerts in the area. He also hosted a weekly jazz program on Radio Teesdale as well as playing with the Teesdale Jazz Quartet.
Terry Willits was 80 year old when he died. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
RIP.
Obituary. 
Lance.

4 comments :

Alan said...

Terry was my tutor at the NCYTL at Humberstone Drive Leicester, he joined mid course ,I seem to remember he played the valve trombone in those days. I worked as a youth worker in Kent's employ for 26 years and then another 4 years voluntary running an ex-Dutch 21 metre barge on the Canals from Calais, I finished up working at Northgate Community Centre running their transport. I qualified as a senior sailing instructor whilst working and normally I sail with people with Disabilities on Westbere lakes. I can be contacted via Facebook or Twitter. Alan Keith Perkins on FB or Alan Perkins G7RBB

Alan said...

I knew Terry at NCYTL in Humberstone Drive in Leicester, in the penultimate year of the emergency training. Terry was my tutor joining in the 2nd term. I believe he played the valve trombone in those days. I did 26 years as a youth worker in Kent. Would love to hear from any of my contemporaries.

Lance said...

Hi Alan, I'm not sure if you wanted both comments published due to the duplication I can delete either one should you wish.

Unknown said...

Sad to read this. Terry was my tutor at NCTYL and really helped me to progress. His wife backed delicious Florentines. Enjoyed nights out with Terry and the
class.

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