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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, May 17, 2015

Farewell Ray.

My darling husband passed away early Thursday morning at St Oswald’s Hospice...he had known since he was diagnosed last November that he had only 12 months to live but chose to keep that info between us.....he did not want sympathy and just wanted to live a "normal" life....however the cancer was more aggressive than anticipated and the last weeks saw him get weaker and weaker...he went into the Hospice  two weeks ago for symptom control and we did think we still had some time left....but we were overtaken by events. We were together when he died and it was very peaceful.
The arrangements are private at his request...but we will celebrate his life at a later date....
He considered the original compositions he wrote and played with Paul Gowland, Alan Law and Paul Wight to be his "legacy"...they can be found on Soundcloud under NE4 Jazz...or The Sid Scott Orchestra..

(Proud to be) Mrs Sylvia Truscott....

9 comments :

Minnie said...

I am so sorry to hear of Ray's passing, he was a lovely man and a very great talent. The jazz world has lost a star. My deepest sympathy is with Sylvia and all of Ray's family and friends.

Hilary S (on F/b) said...

Dear Sylvia our hearts go out to you. I've left a message on your answer phone.
We have lots of wonderful memories spending time at Muggleswick in the early 80's. Lots of hugs and love to you, from Michael, Scott, Zoe and me. xxxx

Colin Haikney (on F/b) said...

Dear Sylvia. Shocked and saddened by the news Gwen and I had no idea this was going to happen when we saw you last year at the garden centre. Our deepest sympathy

shepherdlass said...

Sylvia, so very sorry that Ray is no longer with us. Dave has been talking about all the happy times at Muggleswick and, of course, we all remember his absolute brilliance as a musician.

Love and sympathy to you,

Dave, Jude and Jess

Lance said...

In my cycling days I used to zoom/struggle (dependent on the direction!) through Muggs often waving to Lynn (alto sax). Didn't know of Ray's connection - beautiful village.

Alan Glen said...

Devastated to hear about Ray. We first met at a night club in Prudhoe with Tony Hicks as drummer & I'm fairly sure that's where Ray met Sylvia. - for some strange reason my memory is a bit hazy on that gig! Thereafter, Ray played in various bands we had in the 70s and 80s including many times at the Newcastle Jazz Festival. Ray was a very good long time friend and a dedicated musician. he will be sadly missed. RIP

Terry Ellis said...

Much saddened and shocked having received the belated news of Ray passing away. I now live in Spain and eventually heard the tragic news from Alan who had been trying to contact me since it happened.
I still remember days spent at Muggleswick with great affection and fortunately my past association with a great musician.
Condolence Sylvia

Anne DeVere said...

VERY sad to learn of Ray's demise. I used to visit him at Muggleswick too and we worked together at the Mayfair and West Denton. Ray was a 'gentle giant'---a good mate and friend. Sylvia must be devastated and we both offer our condolences---they were a perfect match and she was a lovely girl. Not too many like Ray!!!!

Mary said...

It is very very sad that i had to hear of Rays death a day after he died after being told he was in America. I loved my brother so much we had some fun times together when we were kids with Roy our cousin. i was not allowed to say goodbye to Ray or even send flowers i wont forget you Ray not as long as i live it was a great shame we did not live closer instead of so far apart. i wanted a cd of you playing even that seems like gold. i love you Ray and always will. xxxx

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