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Bebop Spoken There

Abbie Finn: "Even though there's a lot of great work being done to promote women in jazz, I still come up against some attitudes! I pulled up at a recording session with my drums in the car and the studio owner said, 'I'm sorry, this space is reserved for the drummer!'" - (Jazzwise April 2023).

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tue 28: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 28: Sanaz Lavasani Trio @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 8:00pm. £12.00 (£10.00. adv).

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 29: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 30: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library. 2:30-4:30pm. £2.00. All welcome.
Thu 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. Back to 1:00pm stomp off. Free.
Thu 30: '58 Jazz Collective @ Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 30: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Harbour View, Sunderland. 8:00pm.
Thu 30: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Monday, July 07, 2014

RIP Kathy Stobart


Just heard the sad news that Kathy Stobart died on July 5. Born in South Shields (1925) Kathy has always been held in warm affection by north east jazz fans starting her professional career with Peter Fielding's Band at the Oxford Galleries aged 17. Moving to London soon after she played in a variety of bands big and small. Married and divorced Canadian bassist Art Thompson and later trumpeter Bert Courtley with whom she briefly co-lead a modern sextet.
Spells with Vic Lewis and Humphrey Lyttleton followed and it was in Humph's band she spent her later playing years.
In the photo she is leading her own band with Lennie Best on vibes at the 1982 Newcastle Jazz Festival.
Arguably the first outstanding British female sax player Kathy was also considered by many to be "The First Lady of British Jazz" not bad for a lass from Shields!
Very sadly missed.
Kathy was 89.
Obituary.
Lance.
PS: Kathy's brother the late Ralph Stobart was an early member of the Customs House Big Band.

6 comments :

Brian Bennett said...

Although I only saw Kathy on 2 occasions, both with trumpeter, Humphrey Lyttelton, she certainly made a lasting impression. The first occasion was at Newcastle Guildhall on the Quayside sometime in the early 1970's. The front-liners, Humph; Kathy, tenor & baritone sax and the brilliant Bruce Turner on alto were truly incredible - I can't recall the rhythm section but they were dynamic, too. Can anyone name them? Although I knew Kathy was from South Shields, I was unaware she had a brother who also played sax, until bass player, Derek Dixon, mentioned doing gigs with 'Ralphy' Stobart. Thinking back, the Guildhall was a terrific venue for jazz. Great acoustics, cabaret seating (no problem getting to the bar for a refill) and the Sunday afternoon concerts with The Newcastle Big Band were memorable.

Steve Andrews (on F/b) said...

A great saxophonist, and a pioneer woman jazz musician competing at the top level. Sorry to hear this.

Mia Webb (on F/b) said...

Very sad news. I used to pick Ralph up and take him to the Customs House rehearsals when Kim first joined. I met Kathy a few times, she was a lovely lady.

Hugh said...

A sad loss. Her album "Arbeia" is a favourite of ours, first purchased in the original vinyl format, but now also on CD.

Hugh said...

Listen out for a track from Arbeia - "Cry of Triumph" together with more from Kathy Stobart on Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests this coming Saturday http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04fy978

Michael Dunn said...

Kathy introduced me to the world of jazz when we both worked at Bill Lewington's in the late 1960's. A lovely lady, and a lasting influence.

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