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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 2025).

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

17864 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 185 of them this year alone and, so far,32 this month (March10).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tues 11: Solea @ Earthlings, the Healing Café, 94 Buckingham St., Newcastle, NE4 5QR. 7:00-8:45pm. Food available if ordered before 6:30pm. New band: Johannes Dalhuijsen (tenor sax, bass clarinet); Richard Herdman (guitar); Nick Bagnall (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums).
Tue 11: Giles Strong Quartet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: The Exu + Matt Cliffe @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 13: Oh La La! @ Allendale Village Hall, Northumberland. 7:30pm. £12.00.; £6.00. child. Fifi La Mer (accordion, vocals), Oliver Wilby (reeds).
Thu 13: Fiona Finden’s Jazz Express @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 14: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Taylor @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00-2:00pm. £5.00. at the door. Second Friday in the month lunchtime concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Brass Funkeys + Dilutey Juice @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Oh La La! @ Edmundbyers Village Hall, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. £12.00.; £10.00. (additional £5.00. supper option, ordered in advance). Fifi La Mer (accordion, vocals), Oliver Wilby (reeds).
Fri 14: The Collective @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £8.50.
Fri 14: Bridget Metcalfe Quintet @ St George’s Venue, Park Road, Hartlepool. 7:30pm.

Sat 15: Hot Teapots @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm.
Sat 15: Creakin’ Bones @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: Is This Jazz? @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk. Performances by Mu Quintet, Jinjé, A Brief Utopia, John Pope & Co + André Marmot (author of Unapologetic Expression: The Inside Story of the UK Jazz Explosion) in conversation + DJ sets ‘til 3:00am. ‘A Festival of New Jazz’.
Sat 15: Vintage Explosion @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 15: Alligator Gumbo @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Sat 15: One Night Standards @ The White Room, Stanley. 8:00pm. £8.67 (inc. bf). Note - previously advertised Salty Dogs cancelled.
Sat 15: Howlin’ Mat @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Blues guitar.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: Pearl Blossoms @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime.
Sun 16: Hot 8 Brass Band @ Wylam Brewery. 7:30pm. ‘Big Tuba Tour’.
Sun 16: ARQ @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Air4ce @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:30pm (8:00pm doors). £12.00.; £10.00. Tom Atkinson’s all-star band (line-up inc. Lindsay Hannon & Sue Ferris).
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Jamie Toms Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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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