Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Kenny Burrell Appeal


My name is Katherine Burrell. I am raising funds for my husband, Kenny Burrell. He is a legendary jazz guitarist who has contributed much to the world of music. Following his 85th birthday concert at Royce Hall, he suffered an accident that led to a two-year medical leave.

He is still in recovery, on sabbatical, and writing his autobiography, as well as two other books. I am taking care of Kenny at home as his sole caregiver.  His medical expenses—that is, the supplies required for his care—exceed our monthly income. Additionally, we were both victims of identity theft and bank fraud, and the bank has refused to return a majority of the stolen funds, which totaled more than $60,000. (Some of the funds they returned were actually payments I made to creditors, which they returned in error, and which I had to repay). In the process of mismanaging our claim, the bank returned payments I made to creditors as far back as 9 months, seriously impacting our credit scores.


We no longer qualify to rent an apartment or open lines of credit and/or loans. This is based on multiple factors—we must earn three times the amount of the rent; our credit scores; our current revolving debts. We are also currently in litigation with our HOA, which has been costly, such that I have spent almost all of our savings. We are facing possible foreclosure and homelessness if the HOA wins a judgment against us. If we are unable to pay the judgment, they have the right to foreclose on our property.

I am fearful of homelessness for Kenny’s sake and terrified of how I will care for him if left without a home. We will have to move out of our apartment in the next 1-2 weeks for demolition, which will include mold remediation, lead abatement, and major construction.

None of this will be covered by insurance, and the HOA may be successful in passing all of the costs to us. I can’t maintain Kenny’s health and safety in that kind of environment. I am concerned that when that occurs with only 24 hours notice, I will have no place to relocate nor the funds to do so. It is my fervent, heartfelt desire to continue to care for Kenny as he deserves given who he is and all that he has given to the world through his music, and the beautiful spirit from which it emanated.

It saddens and embarrasses me to desperately need and request help, but it is necessary at this point. If anyone is willing to help us at this time, I would deeply appreciate it, and I will do my best to pay you back in the future. Thank you, and God bless you.
Katherine Burrell
To help.

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