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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 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

17586 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 860 of them this year alone and, so far, 5 this month (Dec. 2).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 10: Customs House Big Band @ All Saints Church Hall, Cleadon. 7:30pm. £6.00. The CHBB’s annual Xmas concert featuring Ruth Lambert. A BYOB gig!

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Cath Stephens’ improvisation workshop @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 4:30-6:00pm. Collaborative group focusing on vocal improvisations.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Second Wednesday in the month.
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £27.00. (inc. three -course meal).
Thu 12: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:00-6:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 12: Stuart Turner @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 12: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesborough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet); Ron Smith (bass).

Fri 13: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Bellavana @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Customs House Big Band @ Stocksfield Community Association. 7:00pm. Featuring Ruth Lambert.
Fri 13: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 13: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. First night of two.
Fri 13: Ransom Van @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 13: Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 9:00pm. £10.00.

Sat 14: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:15pm. Free but ticketed.
Sat 14: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm.
Sat 14: Red Kites Jazz @ Staiths Café, Autumn Dr., Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14 Lapwing Jazz Trio @ Three Sheets to the Wind, Alnwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. Second night of two.
Sat 14: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 15: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 12 noon. £8.50. Xmas party feat. Musicians Unlimited + Customs House Big Band. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 2:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Mitch Laddie Band @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb blues power trio.
Sun 15: Leeway @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Sun 15: Alligator Gumbo @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 12 noon. £9.95. ‘Festive Turkey Dinner’. Book now: 0191 266 8137.
Mon 16: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Jazz Loses a Stalwart - R.I.P. Margaret Barnes

Margaret Barnes, one of the northeast's most enthusiastic supporters of jazz, sadly passed away on Thursday, May 25, after a long battle with cancer. Despite her illness, until fairly recently, Margaret continued to attend jazz concerts at various venues throughout the region. Outwardly oblivious to her failing health, she was always concerned as much about others as she was about herself.
Big bands were her forte with Stan Kenton being a particular idol. We were both fans of Daryl Sherman; pictured here with Margaret at one of Mike Durham's Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party's which Margaret attended every year.
For many years Margaret was a key member of Jazz North East and her welcoming smile made musicians and audiences feel at home. This was particularly so during those halcyon days at the Corner House when Al Grey, Lockjaw Davis, Sonny Stitt, Jimmy Witherspoon (pictured below with Margaret), Alan Barnes and Dave Green were, among others, regular visitors. Young, emerging jazz talents were also encouraged by Margaret going back to when Paul Booth first sat in at Blaydon Jazz Club and, more recently, guitarist Bradley Johnston at the same venue.
We'd been friends for some 50 years; the old New Orleans Club on Forth Banks in Newcastle, the jazz record section of JG Windows Ltd and our association with Jazz North East being some of the memories that will forever linger.
Sadly missed by all who knew her, my thoughts go out to Margaret's family and her many friends across the jazz community.
Funeral details to be announced when known.
Rest In Peace dear lady.
Lance.
PS: Also a special word of thanks to the Vieux Carré Jazzmen who played a private concert for her only a few hours before the end. It was a fitting departure for her and, I'm told, much appreciated by Margaret who was a regular at their gigs..

28 comments :

Eddie Bellis (on F/b). said...

So sorry to hear this, she will be sadly missed XXX!

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

So very sad to learn of lovely Margarets passing.
RIP Margaret ❤

Pam Young (on F/b) said...

So very sad to loose our dear friend RIP Margaret.

Mia Webb (on F/b) said...

Such heartbreaking news. I was very fond of Margaret and she was a great fan of the Ray Chester Big Band. I always looked forward to seeing her in the audience at various venues. She always had time to talk to me. Rest in peace my lovely xxx

Brian Bennett said...

Thank you, Lance, for this wonderful tribute to Margaret which will mean so much to everyone who knew and loved her.

John Hallam (on F/b) said...

I will miss her lovely smile and quiet, knowledgeable support for a wide range of Jazz.

Mike Jamieson Saturday, May 27 2017 said...

Margaret and I used to go to the same parties at the coast when we were in our late teens/early twenties and it was always lovely to keep talking to her at jazz gigs down the years. One of the sweetest people I've known, with a gift for making you feel special each time she greeted you. Sadly missed.

Kevin McBriarty (on F/b) said...

Very sad.

Emma Fisk (on F/b) said...

So sorry to hear this - Margaret was such a lovely, gentle, kind hearted lady. Very glad to have had the pleasure of knowing her xx

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

Very sorry to hear this news, Lance

Roly said...

So sad. Margaret was a long time supporter at Blaydon. She rarely missed but when she did she would always phone and apologise. That's the type of person she was. A dear person who loved the music and avidly supported it in all its forms.
Roly

Steve H said...

What a lovely lady made me feel so welcome when I attended my first JNE gigs almost 10 years ago. She will be be greatly missed.

creole2 said...

Dear Margaret, so sad to lose a dear friend, a genuine "jazzer" and a lovely rare person who never criticised a living soul. Sheila and I are grateful to have known Margaret for so long and will miss her greatly.
New York had Pannonica de Koenigswarter (Nica) as their jazz Baroness; Margaret was Whickham & Tyneside's jazz Baroness.
Rest in Peace Dear Margaret.
Derrick Cogger

Bradley Johnston (on F/b) said...

To a very special lady:

I'd like to pay a special tribute to a lady who has been such a huge support and influence in my life since I met her. Someone who came to every one of my gigs since I began to perform with James, and even when she became ill in this past year and wasn't feeling too great, still made the effort to come out to watch me play.

I'd always be greeted with a heart-warming smile, hug and a kiss.

Margaret - I am forever grateful for all your support and believing in me. I know you'll always be there whenever and wherever I'm playing.

Love and Light,
Brad Xx

Unknown said...

So so sorry to read this. You were one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure to meet. I will miss you x��x Julie

Barry said...

We are sorry to here about Margaret Barnes. We have not been to the jazz for a long time and Margaret was a very close friend of Margaret and barry Aitchison it is a loss that we will not get over all the years we known her.

Patti D (on F/b) said...

Oh, Bradley - this is so sweet of you ...... beautiful words for lovely Margaret. X

Gina Southgate (on F/b) said...

I'm very sorry to hear of Margaret's passing. She was so kind to me when I first came to work with jazz NE in 2009. A lovely woman, old school. Xx

Daryl Sherman (on F/b). said...

Oh my...so sorry for this news. Very grateful to have met and shared music with this dear, very hip lady. My condolences to her family and you all.

Dave Kerr said...

Margaret was a true jazz enthusiast and champion for the music she loved.
I will miss her and her sense of humour.

Bill Harper said...

heartbroken!! Anne and I have wonderful memories with Margaret and have phoned her regularly from France. Of all the people in the world she was the most caring and loyal. Words cannot express our sadness.

Unknown said...

I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend. Margaret was a real jazz enthusiast. I am pleased to have got to know her so well and she will be in my thoughts whenever I visit the North East. R I P dear lady.

Gordon Solomon said...

Such sad news. She was a true ambassador for the music, and always a friendly smile.

Colin Aitchison (on F/b) said...

Such sad news. We were really looking forward to catching up with Margaret in July. Now she is with the greats in jazz she loved. She will be missed by so many. A lovely lady. RIP. Colin, Jeannie & The Hong Kong Gang.

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

Margaret's death has devastated us ---we LOVED her!

Dave Green said...

I'm so saddened to hear the news of dear Margaret's passing. We first met at the New Orleans club in Newcastle in the mid-sixties when I was a member of the Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet. She was a beautiful, soulful lady with a wonderful smile. Her love and enthusiasm for the music really shone through. She was loved by so many. A very special lady I'll miss her very much. Dear Margaret, your light will always shine.

Ashington Jazz Club said...

My First Lady of Jazz, as a teenager going to the New Orleans Club. Margaret was the first person I met taking the money "on the door" for the original VC band
Lovely Lady XXX

Bill Gallon said...

Farewell Margaret. Your passing is a big loss to jazz in our area. From Melbourne Street onwards l have never heard Margaret be anything but friendly to anyone she spoke to and she was always a fountain of knowledge on jazz matters.The jazz world and Whickham will miss you . RIP.

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