Total Pageviews

7300561

Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 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 @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 02: Lauren Bush: The Jazz Singer’s Toolkit @ The Pele, Corbridge. 1:00-4:00pm. Vocalist Lauren Bush with pianist Jamil Sheriff presents a jazz singing workshop. £40.00. (inc. evening concert, see below). Registration required for workshop: www.laurenbushjazz.com. All ability levels welcome.
Wed 02: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 02: Lauren Bush & Jamil Sheriff @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00-9:00pm. £10.00. Concert performance. Tickets: www.laurenbushjazz.com.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! See website for updates: www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. 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 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

Blog Archive