Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Wed 17: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £29.00 (inc. bf). ‘Festive Lunch’. VCJ on stage 12 noon (three sets 'til 4:00pm).
Wed 17: Lazy River Band @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Veronica Perrin, Chris Perrin, John Farragher, Phil Rutherford
Wed 17: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 17: Paul Skerritt @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Wed 17: A Jazzy Xmas @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Kyran Matthews (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flute, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone);Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums).
Wed 17: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 18: Paul Skerritt @ YOLO, Ponteland. 7:00pm. ‘Swing & Jazz Night’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 18: Joe Steels & Friends @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:30pm. Free (donations).

Fri 19: Fraser Urquhart @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! .
Fri 19: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00..
Fri 19: Castillo Nuevo @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:00pm. Free. .
Fri 19: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy..
Fri 19: Paul Skerritt @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes. .
Fri 19: Giles Strong Quartet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club..
Fri 19: Creakin’ Bones & the Xmas Dinners @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £13.01 (inc. bf)..
Fri 19: Mark Toomey Quintet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

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

RIP Lily Veitch












It is my sad duty to report the passing today (August 3) of Lily Veitch, mother of well-known guitarist Roly Veitch, the organiser of Blaydon Jazz Club.
Lily was an enthusiastic supporter of the music and frequently accompanied Roly to concerts and gigs, particularly those held at the various venues in the town where Blaydon Jazz Club was encamped.
Always a keen dancer, the young Lily is 3rd from the left in the photo of the dancing troupe she was part of. The more recent photo was taken, with Roly, at the celebration of her 90th birthday.
Our condolences go out to Roly, Christine and all the family as well as to those of us who will miss a lovely lady.
Lily Veitch was 96, sadly missed, may she Rest In Peace.
Lance.
PS: Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

16 comments :

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

So sorry to hear this, Lily was a lovely lady, my condolences to Roly and family.

Jo Edis (on F/b) said...

Our condolences Roly ,a lovely lady! X

Roy Willis (on F/b) said...

Sorry to hear the sad news Roly.

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

So sorry to hear the sad news. Condolences to Roly and family. xx

Elaine Francis (on F/b) said...

Ah goodness. Sorry to hear that. Love to Roly and family x

Eric McKenzie Stutt (on F/b) said...

R.I.P. LIly!!

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

My condolences to the family. I know it has been a tough time for you all.
Mrs. Veitch was a nice lady with a great love of jazz.

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

Oh, so sad. She was lovely. Condolences to Roly and family

Pablo Gowlando (on F/b) said...

Sympathies to Roly and family!

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

Such sad news, lily was an absolute diamond of a lady. She always made time to talk with me when I saw her at various venues and I always received a Christmas card from her bless her heart. My condolences to Roly and family xx

Keith Robinson (on F/b). said...

So sorry to hear this Roly. Thinking of you

William Harper (on F/b) said...

So sad to hear the news Roly-- your Mam was a lovely lady & a great supporter of Blaydon jazz--she will be greatly missed.

EmmaFiskJazzVio said...

It was always lovely to have a chat with Lily at gigs - sending lots of love Roly x

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

Oh no everyone who knew her will be very sad.

Brian Bennett said...

Roly, I remember you sang 'Pennies from Heaven' with the VCJ at one of our 'Jazz Embassy' gigs at the Mansion House some years ago. Lily was there, too. The look of pride and admiration on her face said it all, your mother was also your biggest fan. Rest in peace.

Robert Alan Smith (on F/b) said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Roly.

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