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Bebop Spoken There

Sting: "It was great. They [the River City Jazzmen] all wore blue suits. The band had been together for about twenty years, which was the same age as the suits." - (Melody Maker Sept. 22, 1979).

Archive

Daily: July 6 - October 27

Precarity John Akomfrah’s film (2017, 46 mins) about Buddy Bolden - Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA. Tel: 0191 478 1810. Screenings at intervals during the day. Part of Akomfrah's exhibition Ballasts of Memory. Exhibition (daily) July 6 - October 27. 10:00am-6:00pm. Free.

Today Monday October 21

Afternoon

Jazz

Precarity John Akomfrah’s film (2017, 46 mins) about Buddy Bolden (see centre column).

Jazz in the Afternoon - Cullercoats Crescent Club, 1 Hudleston, Cullercoats NE30 4QS. Tel: 0191 253 0242. 1:00pm. Free admission.

Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool - Tyneside Cinema, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle NE1 6QG. Tel: 0191 227 5500. 3:00pm/5:30pm. Screening of Stanley Nelson's documentary film (2019, cert. 15, 1hr 55mins).

Evening

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To the best of our knowledge, details of the above events are correct but may be subject to alteration.

Monday, July 06, 2015

Fred Rowe Retires

Last Wednesday, Fred Rowe retired from playing after an involvement that lasted 70 years. I think Fred’s now 86 but it was his car rather than his lip that let him down. MOT!
I went along to his last session at the Crescent Club and met one of Fred's oldest fans (still wearing the badge of the old Newcastle Rhythm Club!).
No change in Fred's playing, he played Alex Welsh style before Alex Welsh started! As usual, Fred's encyclopaedic knowledge came to the fore with such tunes as Straight From The Wood, coupled with wry introductions, vocals and his biting cornet. Typical Fred - except for the absence of the little chip of wood he used to drop on the floor and stomp off the numbers – nothings changed. Has he put it on eBay?
I have only known Fred for 40 years, playing alongside him in the Tyne Valley Stompers (in fact I think I might be the only one still playing). I'm sure I won't be the only one to be sorry he has stopped gigging - but I bet he won't put his cornet back in the box.
John Carstairs Hallam
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2 comments :

Roly said...

Sorry to here this Fred. Always loved your playing. Best wishes. Roly

Monday, July 06, 2015 9:28:00 am
Steve Andrews said...

One of the real nice guys of jazz, enjoy your retirement, Fred!

Monday, July 06, 2015 1:07:00 pm

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Bebop Spoken Here -- Here, being the north-east of England -- centred in the blues heartland of Newcastle and reaching down to the Tees Delta and looking upwards to the Land of the Kilt.
Not a very original title, I know; not even an accurate one as my taste, whilst centred around the music of Bird and Diz, extends in many directions and I listen to everything from King Oliver to Chick Corea and beyond. Not forgetting the Great American Songbook the contents of which has provided the inspiration for much great jazz and quality popular singing for round about a century.
The idea of this blog is for you to share your thoughts and pass on your comments on discs, gigs, jazz - music in general. If you've been to a gig/concert or heard a CD that knocked you sideways please share your views with us. Tell us about your favourites, your memories, your dislikes.
Lance (Who wishes it to be known that he is not responsible for postings other than his own and that he's not always responsible for them.)
Contact: lanceliddle@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Submissions for review

Whilst we appreciate the many emails, texts, messages and other communications we receive requesting album/gig reviews on BSH, regrettably, we are unable to reply to all of them other than those we are able to answer with a positive response.
Similarly, CDs received by post will only be considered if accompanied by sufficient background material.
Finally, bear in mind that this is a jazz-based site when submitting your album.
Lance