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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17733 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 53 of them this year alone and, so far, 53 this month (Jan. 20).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: New '58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool. 6:30pm (doors). Free. A Burns' Night event. Jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues etc.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Parish Hall, St Barnabas’ Church, Rowlands Gill. 7:30pm. £10.00. BYOB (tea & coffee available), raffle. Proceeds to St Barnabas’ Church. Performance feat. Shayo (vocals).
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 26: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 26: Gratkowski, Tramontana, Beresford, Affifi @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 28: ???

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 30: Matters Unknown (aka Jonathan Enser, Nubiyan Twist) + support TBA @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £12.22 (gig & food); £9:04 (gig only).
Thu 30: Soznak @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Struggle Buggy @ Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Rhythm & blues.

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

Thursday, August 03, 2017

JOE THOMAS: Jazz Legend, Icon, The Ebony Godfather, passes away at age 84 on July 26, 2017

(Press release by Jazz Promo Services)
The musical career of The Incomparable Joe Thomas spans over seven decades. During that time, he performed throughout the world, gaining notoriety, acclaim and adoration internationally.Joseph Samuel Thomas was born to Frank Thomas and Sarah Pryor Thomas on May 31, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey. Born with extraordinary musical talents, Joe was blessed by God with the gifts of the spoken and written word.
After witnessing his older brother Frank play musical instruments, Joe realized one of his many callings in life. He learned how to play alto and soprano saxophone, trombone, flute and piano organically, by eye and by ear. He taught himself how to write music. At fifteen, with his older brother’s guidance, he began to play professionally in small local clubs. He met the fabulous James Moody, who was playing with the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band. Moody told Joe to pursue his craft and Joe did just that, going on to play with some of the world’s most iconic jazz legends.

A three-year stint in the United States Army interrupted his career. Wounded in combat in the Korean War, Joe was awarded the Purple Heart in honor of his service to this country. Returning to his purpose and passion in the United States, Joe helped form a group called “The Rhoda Scott Trio.” Along with Rhoda and Joe, drummer Bill Elliott was featured in that group. The group stayed together for three years, making two albums together.

Joe then formed his own group and made nine albums. He was featured on the flute and saxophone. He appears on several other albums including some of Jimmy McGriff’s. Two of his albums have been re- issued as CD’s: “Plato’s Retreat” and “Masada.” His entire catalog of exemplary work will be released for the Joe Thomas Legacy.

To many musicians and artists, Joe was affectionately known as “The Ebony Godfather.”

Joe performed at venues all over the world, including the prestigious Blue Note, Birdland, The Key Club, Carlos One, The Cave, Count Basie’s, La Détente, Smalls Paradise, and multiple cruise lines. Joe was one of the “All-Stars” invited to play at the Pythodd Club in Rochester, New York and at Pine Grill Buffalo, New York reunions. Other notables who performed at these jazz festivals were: Charles Erland, Hank Crawford, Jimmy McGriff, Nat Adderly, Houston Person, Etta Jones, and many others. Joe performed with the legendary Carrie Smith, blues and gospel singer on three jazz festival cruises.

The funeral services are
Sat, August 5, 217 1pm
Woody Funeral Home 
163 Oakwood Ave,
City of Orange, NJ 07050 (973) 674-0814

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