Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18656 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 520 of them this year alone and, so far this month (June 25) 72

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

From This Moment On

June

Mon 29: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Alan Law Trio @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free.
Tue 30: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

July

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 02: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 02: De’Sean Jones & Blaque Dynamite feat. Urban Art Orchestra @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). De’Sean Jones (MD, tenor sax); Blaque Dynamite (Mike Mitchell, drums); Jamie Murray (drums) with UAO horns & strings.
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.
Thu 02: Howlin’ Mat @ Newcastle Arts centre. 7:30pm. Free. Acoustic

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: Paul Donnelly Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Fri 03: Martin Taylor @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Taylor (solo guitar).

Sat 04: Spats Langham’s Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 04: Michael Woods @ Cycle Hub, Quayside, Ouseburn. 1:30-2:30pm & 3:00-4:00pm. Free. Acoustic blues guitar. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sat 04: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Take the ‘A’ Train to Summertime: From Melody to Masterclass. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 05: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest TBC.
Sun 05: Michael Woods @ Cycle Hub, Quayside, Ouseburn. 1:30-2:30pm & 3:15-4:00pm. Free. Acoustic blues guitar. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sun 05: Lydia Rae Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Rae (vocals); Sam Lightwing (alto sax, tenor sax); Ben Lawrence (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Sun 05: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 05: Storytellers Street Band @ Ouseburn Woodland, Ouseburn. 5:00-6:00pm. Free. An Ouseburn Festival event.
Sun 05: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 05: Jambone @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:15-9:45pm. Free but ticketed.

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...

Blog Archive