Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Thursday, January 07, 2016

Homage to Mark Murphy - R.I.P

Listening to Mark Murphy helped me cope with life's vicissitudes during my salad days it's true. Mature but I'm still beguiled. 
I have been privileged to be amongst consummate musicians for the afterglow following one of his performances (Pete Churchill, Nikki Iles, Norma Winstone...). By way of a eulogy I intend to put my antiquated derriere on a seat as many times as I can to keep jazz alive in his memory.
Looking back I note from my journal that, at the gig at Pizza on the Park, Pete Churchill was on piano with bass, drums and percussion (sorry no names).  Mark sang Again as an encore + Imagination and Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
For the ticket price of £16 I was able to stay for both sets. A waiter gave me a centre table to myself (I think he thought I was a lottery winner. That evening I thought I was too!)
Dee Linnell.
PS: Cover of CD purchased as a souvenir. 
(Editor: Original post.)

1 comment :

Tom Henderson (on F/b) said...

Sorry to hear about Mark Murphy, Worked with him at Greys Club & Tyne Tees TV. Great Guy!

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