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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, March 31, 2018

RIP Derek Fleck


Just received the sad news that sax/clarinet/banjo man Derek Fleck died on Wednesday, March 28. Former meteorologist, Derek was a relatively late arrival on the northeast jazz scene but soon made his presence felt with all the local trad bands but, perhaps, most of all with the West Jesmond Rhythm Kings.

When the WJRK folded after the death of Mike Durham, Derek became part of the Jazz in the Afternoon band at the Crescent Club in Cullercoats. 
He was a good robust player who often claimed that he was really a modernist at heart although in the lineups he invariably played in there was no such indication.
Now we'll never know. The important thing is that he did what he did and did it well.
Condolences to Alice and family.
Sadly missed.
Lance  
(Photo courtesy of Brian Bennett).
See comment by John Taylor.
See comment/link by Ian.

6 comments :

Brian (Vieux Carré Jazzmen) said...

Over the years I've seen Derek perform alongside and duet with many of the jazz world's 'A list' reed players, mainly when he was with Mike Durham's West Jesmond Rhythm Kings. John Barnes, George Huxley, Matthias Seuffert, Monty Sunshine, Frank Brooker and so many others - all 'world class'. In my opinion Derek was up there with the best of them.
In his 'day job' he was a meteorologist at the Newcastle Weather Centre and regularly broadcast on Radio Newcastle. I remember travelling with the WJRK's to the Isle of Bute jazz festival. En route, Derek stood at the front of the coach with his weather charts and gave a formal, detailed weather forecast for the weekend ahead - hilarious! Happy memories, Derek! R.I.P.

John Taylor said...

Can't think that its 4 years since we went to the final WJRK concert at the Isle of Bute Jazz Festival which I attended
I've posted the last recording I did of Derek (in the grand parade on the final day).

Mike Green said...

Sorry to hear about Dereks sad passing, I played drums with him in the vieux carre band
on numerous occasions, and also with the maine street jazzband.he was a superb musician, and a thoroughly nice guy, I don't know whether he drove or not, but I gave him a lift home as well from time to time!
Sadly missed.yet another of us playing in the big band up there!
Condolences from Mike Green.

CCJAZZMEN said...

Such sad news about Derek. I remember going to the Wheatsheaf in New York
to see him blow with all the guys at a jam session there in the 1980's when his
nickname was the weatherman. Derek always had a very good knowledge of jazz
and was also a very fine musician.

All of us here in Hong Kong , musicians and listener's send our very heartfelt condolences to Alice and the family. R.I.P.

Colin Aitchison
China Coast Jazzmen
Ned Kelly's Last Stand Hong Kong.

Ian said...

Derek Fleck was my father-in-law. On behalf of the family, I would like to say thank you for all the kind words about Derek.

I attach a link to a recording of Derek in the car park at the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival in 2010 when an evacuation due to a false fire alarm prompted a performance in the car park of 'I don't want to set the world on fire'

https://youtu.be/ZbmkG3FeXWc?t=2m29s

Unknown said...

Derek was my first Cousin.We lost contact years ago .So sad to hear he died .What a talent he had.I am trying to locate my family.It would be lovely to hear from you.We live in France .My mother Esme Turnor was his Aunt.Eileen Fleck and Leslie Fleck his parents and Brenda his first wife.Sending Best Wishes Jean Barnett

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