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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 19: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

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, November 16, 2014

Roy Willis in Hong Kong - The Truth!

Hi all, I just want to tell you a little about my visit to Hong Kong .
Colin [Aitchison] and his wife Jeannie were wonderful hosts during my visit to HK. He was adamant that I didn't miss any important HK sight. There can’t have been many places he didn't show me - particularly the best music venues. Believe you me, Colin is very well known by very many HK musicians as well as being the band fixer for various venues around town.
Jeannie made sure I sampled  all types of HK's finest food - gave me a lot of background to the city and how to get around. How Colin fits all of his activities in I have no idea!. As well as managing all of this - and playing through the daytime he then goes down to Ned's and blows up a storm until the early hours of the morning!! He’s a whirlwind! 
For those who met Franco from Ned's band last summer, you will be glad to hear that he is planning to return with Colin this year and I suspect there may be a few more visitors from HK to the UK next summer. One particular person I hope to meet again is ex-pat Mr Neville Sarony. I know that our audiences here will appreciate his cultured piano style and very English humour should we be lucky enough to hear him perform.
The Filipino boys in Ned's house band were very kind to me - even to the point of Aqui allowing me to use his guitar for a few sit-ins. I enjoyed that experience immensely - as well as my sit in with the big band which meets every 4 or 5 months. The big band appearance at Ned's is one of the highlights of the year. They play superbly well. This isn't just a blast - these guys pay special attention to the dynamics of each piece. So professional. Needless to say Ned Kelly's Last Stand is always pretty much full of punters and last weekend it was packed to the rafters with a very appreciative crowd. So this place is a "must" to visit
I would also like to mention my visit to the very "old colonial" style hotel The Peninsular. Here we were entertained by certainly one of the best showmen that I have seen or heard. Mr Tony Payne sings, entertains and plays the piano in a superb jazz style. He is American with an International reputation and has worked worldwide, particularly in Las Vegas. Should you decide to visit, don't miss him.
So I have now returned home, have had 12 hrs sleep - and am still tired, but all I can say is that visiting Hong Kong had been an ambition for years and it was well fulfilled - thanks to Colin, Jeannie the rest of the amazing people I met. (also thanks to my wife ) for accepting my indulgence!
Roy W.

2 comments :

Russell said...

Hi Roy

What was the beer like?

Roy said...

Beer ? Well of course I only had one or two, (ha) but it was fantastic ! The Chinese beer was good, but Russell, you can get whatever brand you like over there. So don't worry. Even Guinness drinkers are catered for.

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