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

19,105 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 969 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Nov. 14) 39.

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

Sun 15: Lianne Carroll: Jazz Vocal Weekend Workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am-5:00pm. Day 2/2. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe. 7:00pm. £48.18 (to include dinner); £17.43 (concert only).
Sun 15: Sarah Gillespie & Chris Montague @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sun 15: Liane Carroll @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Solo performance. SOLD OUT!

Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Jacob Egglestone, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.
Tue 17: Grammy Season (Laubrock/Seabrook/Lovato/Rainey) @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 8:00pm. JNE.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 19: Papa G’s Troves @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 19: Marina Josephina @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £10.60; £10.60.; £8.50 Early Bird.

Fri 20: Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion: The Music of Duke Ellington @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Customs House Big Band @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.

Sat 21: Pete Tanton Duo @ Awesome Frank’s, West Jesmond Metro Station, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £8.00.
Sat 21: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Westovian Theatre, South Shields. 7:30pm. £18.00.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Dave Weisser's 80th Birthday Bash @ The Globe - October 11.

(Review by Lance/photo of Dave & Jude by Russell)
Photo Album

To call this the Gig of the Year would be to do a disservice to the many fine sessions that have taken place at the Jazz Coop headquarters and elsewhere in the region. However, to not call this the Gig of the Year would be to do an even greater disservice to a man who has (relatively speaking) probably done more to encourage emerging jazz talent than any school or college this side of Berklee, Mass.

I refer, of course, to Dave Weisser who celebrated his 80th birthday at the Globe with the help of the Railway St. regulars and a few of the local big hitters.

I don't know all the names but they included Dave Parker, Andrew Porritt (bass); Doug Kennard (piano); Peter Ninnim, Stan Praszczalek, John Bradford (drums); Johannes Dalhuitsen (tenor sax); Pete Bennett (guitar/flute); Roy Stephenson (guitar); Nigel Robson (trombone); Nigel Greenwood (alto sax/trumpet).

And, of course, the main man himself - Dave - blowing muted cornet and singing in his own distinctive way.

The room was filling up and friends old and new became reacquainted relegating the music, unforgivably, but understandingly, to wallpaper.
The bar was doing good business and it is a credit to the new manager/tenant that Marston's Pedigree was absolutely first-class which, in truth, hasn't always been the case here.

The buffet was declared open and, it has to be said, that Jude did us proud. Jude also did us proud when she took to the stage on bass guitar along with the guitar legend that is John Wilson and, on drums, John Bradford later replaced by Stan, the drummer with the unpronounceable surname, and Doug Kennard on piano. The game was afoot.

Night and Day by the Take it to the Bridge team seemed to last for as long as the title implied. This isn't a criticism just that there were a lot of solos to fit in.

Then Paul Gowland, the artist formerly known as 'Blue Hat' but now wearing a black hat - Johnny Davis - and Showtime Gray approached the stage rather like the James gang riding towards the bank in Northfield, Minnesota.

The battleground was There Will Never be Another You and the horns went for it big! However, it was unanimous that that title could only refer to the Birthday boy himself.

Alan Law was at the keyboard and, Jude went from bass guitar to flute to voice - she does them all perfectly. Paul Grainger played bass and Mo Scott set the world on fire with Route 66.

The joint was still jumpin' when my taxi arrived - quite a night!
Same time next year Dave.
Lance
Photos.

5 comments :

shepherdlass said...

Such lovely words Lance, and really glad you could make it to the party.

A few extra names for you - Pete Bennett was on guitar and flute; and the full name of the multitasking Nigel on alto sax and flugelhorn is Nigel Greenwood.

Also, the drummer with John Wilson and me was John Bradford. Stan took over when Doug Kennard took to the stand to play his lovely song "Sleepless".

Thanks to everyone for making Dave's big night really special

Jude x

Alan Smith said...

I wish that I had known about Dave's party - we go back a long way.

Can anyone help me to contact him.

Cheers.

Lance said...

Every Wednesday at The Globe - 8:00pm - bring your horn.

Lance said...

Thanks Jude, details now amended. Great night.

Billy Montgomery said...

Alan, if you log in to Bebop Spoken Here daily you'll never evr miss a gig again and, if you do, you'll be able to read about it the next day.

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