Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18361 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 215 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 8 ), 25

From This Moment On ...

March

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free

Thu 12: Boomslang @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Fri 13: Paul Skerritt Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00.
Fri 13: The SH#RP Collective @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Soothsayers + Rookie Numbers @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.

Sat 14: The Too Bad Jims @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. R&B.
Sat 14: NUJO @ Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union. Time TBC. £15.00. supporter; £10.00. standard; £5.00. student. Seated event.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: The Too Bad Jims @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. £12.00. R&B.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Rebecca Poole @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Poole w. Dean Stockdale & Ken Marley. CANCELLED!

Mon 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums).

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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