Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. 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

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Clark Tracey to play fundraising concert for the National Jazz Archive as a tribute to Stan Tracey

(We rarely publicise events out of the area but, when it involves the NJA - an organisation we hold dear - we sometimes make an exception as is the case here. Award-winning drummer Clark Tracey is bringing his quartet to play a fundraising concert for the National Jazz Archive on 24 November in Walthamstow, North East London, an event worth supporting for those of our readers within stomping distance of the venue so, without apology, the press release is below - Lance). 
Press release.
To celebrate what would have been Stan Tracey’s 90th year, Clark Tracey has written the definitive biography of his father (The Godfather of British Jazz), being published by Equinox Publishing. The concert will be part of the book’s launch and will feature Stan’s music and well-known jazz standards. Stan was an important British jazz pianist and composer whose distinguished career spanned six decades.
Clark Tracey is one of the UK's premier jazz men with an international career as an outstanding composer, arranger and drummer. He has won Best Drummer in various awards five times, including the British Jazz Awards in 2016 and 2017.
His group also features three other superb musicians:
Art Themen (saxes) has a major reputation on the British jazz and blues scene, and has played tenor sax in many top jazz groups. Described by Dave Gelly as ‘One of the tiny handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians’, he was winner of the British Jazz Award for tenor sax in 2008.
Bruce Boardman (piano) has performed with many big names, run his own band, made numerous TV appearances and toured internationally.
Andrew Cleyndert (bass) is best known for his work with the late Stan Tracey. He has also worked extensively with many other jazz greats, including Lee Konitz, Art Farmer and Conte Candoli.
Clark said: “I’ve had the pleasure of playing at fundraising concerts for the National Jazz Archive several times, so it’s great to be able to bring my own quartet to help raise funds for the Archive. It’s a wonderful resource for everyone interested in the history and development of jazz in this country.”
This concert is one of a series during 2017 to raise funds to support the work of the Loughton-based National Jazz Archive.
The venue is the characterful arts centre, former Granada Cinema, Mirth, Marvel and Maud, 186 Hoe St, Walthamstow, London E17 4QH, five minutes’ walk from Walthamstow Central Station served by the Underground, Overground and numerous bus routes.

The concert starts at 8pm and tickets cost £17.
For details and to book tickets, visit: 
or phone 020 8502 4701. 

2 comments :

carstairs said...

The Granada in Hoe St., was my haunt for Saturday Morning pictures!

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

Aww Dave and I have just got back from Walthamstow and did go to that venue.. great place .....old cinema with character worth a visit if anyone in London on that date. Not to mention that fabulous gig that it surely will be.

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