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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

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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