Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. 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

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