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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Thu 29: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 35s only. Rescheduled from December 4th.
Thu 29: Oh No Noh + Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £16.45., £13.28., £12.22., £9.04. Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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: TBC.
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.

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

Friday, September 11, 2015

RIP Alan Palliser

Alan Palliser, former pianist with, among others, the River City Jazzmen and the Ronnie Young Band passed away on Sept. 6.
A fine pianist, adaptable to a variety of settings, he will be sadly missed. I particularly remember the Sunday morning sessions in the early/mid '80s at Newcastle's City Vaults with the Ronnie Young Band.
Funeral will take place at Holy Cross Church, Ryton on Monday Sept. 14.
Alan Palliser was 80 year old.
Rest In Peace
Lance.

11 comments :

Derrick Cogger said...

From Basie to Bach. RIP Alan.

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

So sorry to hear this.

Gordon Solomon said...

I knew that Alan had heart problems for a number of years but nevertheless the news is a shock. Alan was a fine pianist, - he had many influences but Erroll Garner and Teddy Wilson were his favourites. His version of Autumn Leaves was always guaranteed to be a high spot of the session, and as you said, he had a wide range of styles - I think Derek's comment sums it up nicely. I think I'm right in saying he started playing in the 1950's with trumpeter Joe Errington in a band called the Alleycats. RIP.

Roy Willis (on F/b) said...

Condolences to Alan's family.

Barry said...

Sorry to hear about this great jazz player he will be missed Margaret and Barry Aitchison

Barbara Palliser said...

hi I am Alan's daughter, thanks so much for this lovely mention for my dad, and thanks to those who have commented too. We had a lovely service and played his music in the church, it sounded great on the church sound system :) Yes the Alleycats was his first band, I have a great photo but not sure how to post it here. We talked about his music in the eulogy and enjoyed reminiscing old stories.

Lance said...

So pleased everything went well today.I'd love to see the photo Barbara - could you email it to me?
lanceliddle@gmail.com

Barbara Palliser said...

just sent it through to you now Lance, hope it reaches you ok.

CCJAZZMEN said...

Condolences from Hong Kong. A wonderful piano player.
Colin Aitchison

Helen said...

Hi Barbara
I'm Joe's daughter who played trumpet with your dad in the Alley cats - here's a brief history and a few pics http://joeerrington.wix.com/papa-joe-errington#!the-alley-cats-jazz-band/c1szy you might like to see.

Helen



Unknown said...

So sad to hear this and to find out over two years later. I worked with Alan down here in Solihull and was greatly influenced by him. He was a great guy. A man's man. I was just thinking about him a few minutes ago and Googled his name, to discover this sad news. RIP Big man...

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