Loss of a Legend RIP Barrie Ascroft

I've just received the sad news that pianist Barrie Ascroft died peacefully last night (October 1). Barry, a longtime associate of Dave Weisser, Jude Murphy and the Take it From the Bridge ensemble, was an outstanding, if somewhat eccentric and self-effacing pianist who nevertheless always delivered the goods.

His eccentricity, I know, came from an accident some years ago but never seemed to affect his playing.

The onstage banter between Dave and Barrie could appear to be cutting but, beneath it, there was genuine love and respect for each other.

The Take it to the Bridge gigs, spread across many venues over the years can, and hopefully still will, claim to be the longest running jam session/jazz workshop in the northeast.

In recent years, the session took root at The Chillingham in Heaton, before moving on to its present home at The Globe where it now a Wednesday night fixture. 

Barrie, needless to say, played great piano wherever the session took place and, if there was another pianist present, he had no qualms about moving over to bass guitar. Truly a man of many talents and one who will be sadly missed.

Tomorrow's session will go ahead. As one insider put it: "If it hadn't, the old rascal would have berated us and told us just to bloody well get on with it."

Legend is a term sometimes used loosely but in this case, in Tyneside jazz circles, it has never been more appropriate.

Rest In Peace Barrie - they broke the mould.

Lance.