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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

17,533 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 497 of them this year alone and, so far, 75 this month (June 23).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

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’.

Sat 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Linskill Centre, North Shields. 4:00-10:30pm. Free, but ticketed (over 18s only). A multi-bill, multi-genre ‘Canny Shiels - North Shields 800’ event. Three Kings Brewery on site.
Sat 28: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 29: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 29: Bal Bruch Social Dance @ As You Like It, Sandyford, Newcastle. 12:30pm. Free. Dance event with Hot Club de Heaton performing live (2:00-3:00pm). A ‘Jar on the Bar’ event.
Sun 29: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 3:00pm. Ray McVay & co.
Sun 29: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: Zoë Gilby w. Ryton Choral Society @ Corbridge Middle School NE45 5HX. 5:30pm. £15.00. Gilby w jazz trio & choir. ‘An evening of jazz song for choir’.
Sun 29: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 29: John Wilson & the Sinfonia of London @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Greatest Hits’.
Sun 29: Out Front @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

JULY 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Very Sad News - Ron Pollard.


Just heard from Roly Veitch that Ron Pollard, organiser of the Gateshead Fell at the Legion Jazz Club died yesterday morning (May 10).
Such a shock - Ron and his wife Joyce have been strong supporters of jazz in the area for many many years and their often uphill struggle to keep The Fell Jazz Club afloat won them much admiration from fans and musicians of the traditional and mainstream persuasion.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Joyce.
In the photo (taken by Eddie Carson) the couple are seen celebrating their Golden Wedding at the club in 2011. As well as jazz Ron and Joyce loved dancing and were fortunate in being able to combine those two passions.
Rest In Peace.
Lance.
at

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Ron, I only met him a few times, when I was drumming for the Maine street band, but he came across as a very nice guy, with a real love of jazz.
please convey my condolences to his wife for me.
Mike Green.

Sunday, May 11, 2014 12:41:00 pm
Unknown said...

May I add my condolences to Joyce and her many friends at Jazz at the Fell. A terrible shock to all who knew him.
George Watt

Monday, May 12, 2014 7:07:00 am
Mia Webb (on F/b). said...

Very sad news Lance. My heartfelt condolences go out to Joyce x

Monday, May 12, 2014 10:21:00 am
Anonymous said...

Very sad to hear this, just saw Ron & Joyce last year and had a little chat about Dad the jazz scene in the north etc, even went over to Gateshead to his Jazz night had a blow with the Mainstreet Jazzmen.
You could never miss him sitting anywhere with his Beatle style haircut, great supporter of local jazz, and a lovely couple.
Will be missed
RIP
Colin Aitchison

Monday, May 12, 2014 12:14:00 pm
John Wilkie and Marjorie said...

So very sad. We treasure the hundreds of happy memories Ron and Joyce achieved at the Fell.A great loss to local jazz.
John Wilkie and Marjorie.

Monday, May 12, 2014 12:41:00 pm
Unknown said...

Condolences to Joyce from all at Ashington Jazz Club. Ron had lots of friends in jazz and will be sadley missed. He was also responsible for putting together and starting Keith Stephens trio with Caroline. Ron and Joyce came to the Elephant many times to dance to the band
John T

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 2:56:00 pm
Anne DeVere Harper said...

We were very sad to learn of Ron Pollard's demise. Joyce must be in pieces-- they were so devoted.
Ron ALWAYS supported Jazz in the North East and rarely missed our gigs. he was such a well known character and will be greatly missed by all.
Please give our condolences to Joyce--we remember him fondly.
love Annexx

Friday, May 16, 2014 10:31:00 am

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