Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Sinatra Birthday Bash in Red Bank

Had he still been with us Frank Sinatra would have been 102 today and, although he's now long gone, his memory lingers on. His Rat Pack buddy, Dean Martin, would have been 100 this year. My dear friend, Lydia Diel now lives in New Jersey but, way back when, we both attended Jarrow Central School albeit at different times.
Today, I received, not only a Christmas card from Lydia but also a report, program and ticket stub from the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank of a concert by Dean's daughter Deana whereby she pays tribute in song to her father and her 'Uncle Frank'.
This is how Lydia heard it:
I really don't want to make you envious but I went to the Count Basie [Theatre] for the Jazz Birthday Bash. Frank would have been 102 this year; Dean Martin 100. His daughter Deana is 69 but doesn't look it. She has a fantastic voice, is a superb entertainer and skips about the stage like a 2-year-old!. Between songs, she told great tales about her father and 'Uncle Frankie'. It was over 2 hours and the audience laughed between songs at the jokes. Sorry you missed it.

Yes, I'm sorry I missed it too but how fantastic that Lydia's card and bits and bobs landed today of all days! Merry Xmas Lydia and Happy Anniversary Frank - wherever you are!
Lance

No comments :

Blog Archive