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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, August 09, 2015

Remembering Ray Truscott @ Jazz Café


(Report by Lance)
This was quite an afternoon/early evening. Up the road "The Toon" were, alternatively, losing, drawing, winning, drawing but here in The Caff everyone was winning. We were here to celebrate the legacy of Ray Truscott - 6 string bass guitarist extraordinaire. The invited audience of friends and fellow musicians were treated to an afternoon of excellence with the house quartet of Paul Gowland (ten/alt); Pete Gilligan (pno); John Pope (bs gtr); Paul Wight (dms) laying down a very high benchmark.
In the case of John Pope it was almost as if Ray was beaming down inspiration from 'up there'! John may have opted for a four string Fender Jazz as opposed to Ray's six string bass but the feeling was 'at times', almost identical.
Bradley Johnston brought his guitar to the party and Dave Weisser brought his cornet and Lady Jude came with him.
Jude sang Like Someone in Love and Dindi - throwing in a flute chorus on the latter number. Those that didn't know Jude prior to today certainly wanted to know more - the best kept vocal secret around!
Could anyone follow that? Well, er, yes! Dave Weisser, Jude's long time partner, gave us a take on Nature Boy that decreed honours were even in that household!
Everyone was at the top of their game - they had to be! With an audience of whom 95% were musicians there was little room for error.
Barry Ascroft warmed the keyboard stool, as did Alan Law. Findens Fi and Stu took Secret Love around the block and Fi's version of You Don't Know What Love is hit the heartstrings of everyone who could equate with that statement!
Ray Burns, sans harmonica, sang Sweet Lorraine - my favourite chord sequence - before giving out with Body and Soul.
Zoe Gilby swung through Lullaby of Birdland and emoted God Bless the Child. Kath Jobes rounded things off with Bye Bye Blackbird - Kath too has moved up the pecking order.
Then, just as I was bidding farewell to Ray's wife Sylvia, the band played My One and Only Love. Sylvia's tears were understandable - and infectious.
It was a great tribute to a most lovable/likeable man. If you've got to go this is the way to do it. Friends paying their respects by playing and listening to the music we all love.
RIP
Photos.
Lance.
PS: It should also be noted that Ray was remembered not only as a bass guitarist but also as fine composer. Several of his compositions were included in the program - Requeros and Four Miles being two of them. 

4 comments :

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

Sorry I wasn't well enough to attend. Ray, Sylvia, Mike and I were all great friends in the old days. Lots of wonderful photos from Muggleswick to confirm this. Zoe was just a little girl then.
R.I.P. Ray, gone to join that great jazz gig with the wonderful musicians who went before you.

Mal Maddock (on F/b) said...

Oh dear lord..... I didn't even know Ray Had passed away !

Anne DeVere Harper (on F/b) said...

Thanks Lance......this made me feel I was there! Xx

Jude Murphy (on F/b) said...

It was a privilege to be there - a very special day, with Sylvia and so many of his friends remembering a brilliant bloke.

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