Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Film review: The Commemoration of Jazz Musician and Friend Richard Turner: A Life in Music

Richard Turner: A Life in Music, crowd-funded by the London jazz community and directed by Rob Cope. 
(Review by Thomas Harvey/Images © Robe Cope )

Richard Turner was shifting the community of the London jazz scene; showcasing international names in intimate spaces and bringing musicians of the capital together to drive the genre. When he died suddenly at age 27, it was a shock, not only to those around him but also to the scene of which he had become such a key member. ‘Richard Turner: A Life In Music’ comes at the hands of Rob Cope and crowd-funded by the London jazz community who premiered the film at Leeds College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music on the 11th April to a packed out room of family, friends, media and members of the music industry.

“I realised there was an opportunity to create a film about Richard’s life. It’s a remarkable and largely untold story” commented, filmmaker and saxophonist Rob Cope. 


Beginning with photos and interviews describing Richard at a young age, the film moved chronologically from the beginning of his life through chapters of some of his finest achievements. Christine Turner spoke of her son with a wonderful smile, reflecting on the happy memories of his growing up in Leeds, in the North of England with his many childhood talents and a sudden decision that he wanted to play the trumpet. It was clear to say that he never looked back.

In addition to his early life, we were also shown the many steps he took educationally through various renowned musical establishments. With a decision to study a foundation course at the Leeds College of Music; so began Turner’s immersion in jazz and the network of musicians that he built himself around - he was truly in his element. With self-belief that he wouldn’t be picked for the only place available for trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, he was of course shortly told that he was to be wrong. Jazz Educator and Trumpeter Gerard Presencer stated that without doubt, Taylor was the right choice that year, as people around him viewed him as a mature player for his age. Having this space for learning allowed Turner to become the renowned player he was for his generation and we were shown that this was only the beginning. 

Next came the creation of his contemporary jazz quartet Round Trip. Richard’s exploration into the world as a working-musician led him to convince landlady Wendy Clare of the Constitution Pub to allow him to set up a jazz club in the basement of the venue. Showing various clips of bands playing in the intimate space as well as interviews discussing the experiences of packed out rooms, we were shown the authentic feel of the venue that Turner created and allowed to flourish. These personal accounts from musicians, housemates and friends described to us the personal relationships that Turner had formed and of the love that these people had for him.

Visiting the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, it felt right to watch the stories of Turner in the halls that he himself walked. Gaining a glimpse into his life and his musical achievements, we were shown a human who was held dearly, not only by his friends and family but also by acquaintances and teachers, colleagues and press members. It is important to remind ourselves of how much we must appreciate those around us and it is important to commemorate the lives of wonderful people when they pass onwards from us. 

Thomas Harvey

‘Richard Turner: A Life In Music’ will be released worldwide in May and be sure to listen to the self-titled album by Round Trip. 

No comments :

Blog Archive