Bebop Spoken There

Joe Alterman: ''All I wanted to do growing up was to sound like Erroll Garner playing "Poor Butterfly." I thought that was the coolest sound I'd ever heard.'' (DownBeat November, 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

19,066 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 930 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 31) 109.

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

November

Mon 02: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.
Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: An Evening of Erykah Badu @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 7:30pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 05: Hejira - Celebrating Joni Mitchell @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Thu 05: Cut Capers @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors).
Thu 05: Northern Reaches @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations). Pete Tanton, Joe Steels, Laurence Blackadder, John Hirst.
Thu 05: Fergus McCreadie @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 06: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 1/3.
Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Jazz Night: Bridget Metcalfe @ Saltburn House Hotel. From 6:00pm. Tickets: £40.00 (inc. a two-course meal & glass of Prosecco). Tel: 01287 658977.
Fri 06: The Exu + Kraabel/Harrison/Birchall @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 8:00pm. JNE.

Sat 07: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 2/3.
Sat 07: Ewan Bleach’s Cable Street Ragtime Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington.
12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. Superb band.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Find Your Pocket: Funk & Groove. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Red Kites Jazz @ Costa Café, St James’ Retail Park, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sat 07: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 6:00pm.

Sun 08: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 3/3.
Sun 08: Greg Abate w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 08: Kaberry Big Band @ Forest Hall Social Club. 3:00pm. £7.00 (inc. tea & cake). Charity event for the Poppy Appeal.
Sun 08: Greg Abate w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

(Preview): Marie Curie Fundraiser - A Concert For Margaret Barnes


(Info supplied by JNE)

Saturday 20th July @ The Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
£10 Afternoon or Evening Session Ticket / £12 Full Day Ticket

Afternoon Session (Doors: 1.00pm
)

1.30pm: Debra Milne and Steve Glendinning
2.20pm: Paul Edis with Graham Hardy
3.25pm: Hand To Mouth
4.15pm: Thomas Dixon Band


Evening Session (Doors: 5.45pm)

6.00pm: Paul Taylor + The Long Lonesome Go
7.05pm: Bradley Johnston Trio trio with Roly Veitch
8.10pm: Duo FCT
9.00pm: Zoe Gilby Quartet


The jazz scene on Tyneside can surely have had no more committed a supporter than Margaret Barnes.

It’s usually the case with jazz promoters that one individual appears as the public face, but in reality it’s the work of a team that keeps the show on the road - and there can hardly have been a greater team player than Margaret. The jazz community - musicians, fans and organisers alike - owe her a massive debt of gratitude, and this concert, raising funds for her chosen charity, is our way of saying “Thank You Margaret”.

For well over 40 years she served on the Board of Jazz North East, providing continuity through countless changes in membership, and ever ready with her measured thoughts on the organisation’s concert programme. Like any enthusiast Margaret had her own favourite musicians and styles - big bands were perhaps her first love - but she always recognised that jazz has a glorious diversity, and gave unstinting support to gigs right across the spectrum from Hot Club swing to uncompromising free jazz. Generally sat at the ticket desk, hers was the welcoming smile that immediately assured musicians and audiences they were in for a good night.

But it wasn’t just with Jazz North East that Margaret’s love of jazz expressed itself. She was a great supporter of local players, always ready with words of encouragement, and a frequent audience member at gigs ranging from low key trad residencies through to high profile festival sessions. The eagerness with which musicians have signed up to take part in today’s tribute is a mark of the high esteem in which Margaret was held by everybody who met her and warmed to her boundless enthusiasm.

Contact: 0191 232 0192 / library@litandphil.org.uk
Accessibility: Partly accessible for wheelchair users, contact venue for details Travel: Any Bus and Metro to Central Station

14+ with under 18's accompanied by an adult but please do contact the venue for full details regarding younger ages and for any further queries regarding accessibility.

TICKETS

Reflex CD (Nun Street - Newcastle) 0191 260 3246
www.seetickets.com / info@jazznortheast.com
Admission is generally possible through payment on the door subject to venue capacity

*Stated times may be subject to change.

3 comments :

Lance said...

Looks to be a fabulous day of music and memories and one that I hope all those who knew Margaret will turn out for in force. A surprising omission from the line up of bands/musicians is the lack of representation by musicians from the 'low profile lunchtime trad sessions' (sic) that Margaret loved so much. The Vieux Carré Jazzmen even performed at her bedside during her last hours.
Perhaps they may be planning a separate tribute - solidarity has never been one of the jazz community's strong points.

Nevertheless, let's make this a day of remembrance for a woman who gave so much to the northeast jazz scene.

Patti said...

It will indeed be a wonderful tribute to dear Margaret - and with all the funds raised going to the Marie Curie Hospice, who looked after her so well at the end. I also assumed that the Vieux Carre Jazzmen would be invited to play - Margaret was a big fan of the band, and jazz from the 1920's and 1930's classic period. The fact that this music was with Margaret in her final hours would have meant everything to her.

Steve Andrews said...

Re: your comment about solidarity across the jazz community, I tend to agree, but sadly for this elderly ex-pat, tonight is the first I've heard about this tribute concert. I know, I should read your Blog more often! If I had known in advance I would have happily trotted over to the NE to represent the Vieux Carre (being one of the few regular members from the '70's still alive) and the older styles of jazz. I remember Margaret with great fondness and respect for her genuine love of jazz and her unflinching support of local players (of all styles) as you said. Sadly, my bulging gig-book renders me unable to attend on Saturday, as I'm contracted to play three sets while wearing a funny hat at the Penrith Pot-Fest (ceramics!!!) with the Ragtime Rascals. I hope the Lit & Phil concert is well attended - the music will be great in any case with that line-up.

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