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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17864 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 185 of them this year alone and, so far,32 this month (March10).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tues 11: Solea @ Earthlings, the Healing Café, 94 Buckingham St., Newcastle, NE4 5QR. 7:00-8:45pm. Food available if ordered before 6:30pm. New band: Johannes Dalhuijsen (tenor sax, bass clarinet); Richard Herdman (guitar); Nick Bagnall (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums).
Tue 11: Giles Strong Quartet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: The Exu + Matt Cliffe @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 13: Oh La La! @ Allendale Village Hall, Northumberland. 7:30pm. £12.00.; £6.00. child. Fifi La Mer (accordion, vocals), Oliver Wilby (reeds).
Thu 13: Fiona Finden’s Jazz Express @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 14: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Taylor @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00-2:00pm. £5.00. at the door. Second Friday in the month lunchtime concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Brass Funkeys + Dilutey Juice @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Oh La La! @ Edmundbyers Village Hall, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. £12.00.; £10.00. (additional £5.00. supper option, ordered in advance). Fifi La Mer (accordion, vocals), Oliver Wilby (reeds).
Fri 14: The Collective @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £8.50.
Fri 14: Bridget Metcalfe Quintet @ St George’s Venue, Park Road, Hartlepool. 7:30pm.

Sat 15: Hot Teapots @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm.
Sat 15: Creakin’ Bones @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: Is This Jazz? @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk. Performances by Mu Quintet, Jinjé, A Brief Utopia, John Pope & Co + André Marmot (author of Unapologetic Expression: The Inside Story of the UK Jazz Explosion) in conversation + DJ sets ‘til 3:00am. ‘A Festival of New Jazz’.
Sat 15: Vintage Explosion @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 15: Alligator Gumbo @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Sat 15: One Night Standards @ The White Room, Stanley. 8:00pm. £8.67 (inc. bf). Note - previously advertised Salty Dogs cancelled.
Sat 15: Howlin’ Mat @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Blues guitar.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: Pearl Blossoms @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime.
Sun 16: Hot 8 Brass Band @ Wylam Brewery. 7:30pm. ‘Big Tuba Tour’.
Sun 16: ARQ @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Air4ce @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:30pm (8:00pm doors). £12.00.; £10.00. Tom Atkinson’s all-star band (line-up inc. Lindsay Hannon & Sue Ferris).
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Jamie Toms Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, February 25, 2020

RIP Dave Rae - Death of a legend

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that Dave Rae passed away at approximately 8.30 this morning (Feb. 25).

I have lost a musical partner of many years but also the best friend one could hope for.

The North East Jazz scene has lost a major player and standard bearer for true New Orleans music, but mostly a gentleman in every sense of the word.

I would be grateful if you could relay this sad information to the wider Jazz public via your blog.
John Robinson.

19 comments :

Lance said...

Sad news indeed. A great banjo player and, as you say John, a gentleman in every sense of the word. I know he will be sadly missed, not just in New Orleans circles but by everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Funeral details will be announced here as they are finalised. In the meantime our thoughts are with his family and friends.

CCJAZZMEN said...

Such sad news. I really used to look forward to seeing Dave and the band on my trips from Hong Kong.
He was such a warm and lovely person to chat to and so knowledgeable on New Orleans jazz.

A big loss to the jazz scene in the North East.

R.I.P.

Colin Aitchison (Hong Kong)

Alan Rudd said...

Lance, we're really sad to hear about Dave Rae, he was indeed a gentleman and so knowledgeable and passionate about the New Orleans genre.

Unfortunately I have some more bad news. Classic Swing have been using Norman Brown on keyboards recently at the Jesmond Legion gig. However we were sad to hear Norman died recently. His funeral is tomorrow, Thursday, 1pm, at Sunderland Crematorium.

Norman played for many years with Arthur Mowatt's big band at the Park Hotel, and was still playing organ in local clubs. I believe he also taught piano.

Brian Bennett said...

Sadly the end of an era for all those traditional jazz fans and musicians who followed and played with The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band. RIP Dave

Elizabeth Bacon (on F/b) said...

That's a lovely tribute to Dave by John Robinson . He is going to be dreadfully missed

Phil Smith (on F/b) said...

Sad news. Lovely man.

Russell said...

I always thought of Dave as a very nice man.It seems others think the same. Dave was a classy banjo player and a fine singer of New Orleans and gospel numbers.

Robert Wade (on F/b) said...

So sorry to hear the sad news. Great guy and gentleman of jazz.
Spoke to Mike Pointon (CO author of Colyer book ) good friend of Dave’s. He sends condolences and has many wonderful memories.
RIP Dave

Patti (on F/b) said...

Dave was such a sweet guy - and wonderful musician - he sang really nicely too. We'll all miss him so much.

Roly said...

Such very sad news. Dave was a lovely, gentle person and as John says has made such a remarkable and devoted contribution to the tradition of pure ensemble style New Orleans jazz.

Steve Andrews (on F/b). said...

I heard just a week or so ago that Dave was very ill. Very sorry to hear this news. A nice man and a good banjoist, and very dedicated to jazz. He'll be a big miss.

Cliff Soden (on F/b). said...

Aww man, such sad news. Dave was a lovely guy.

John Hallam (on F/b). said...

Very sorry to hear this. Mac told me last week that Dave was really ill. Great banjo/ tenor guitar player, vocalist and encyclopaedic knowledge of N O stuff. Best of all, he was a nice gentle man.

Jude Murphy (on F/b) said...

Very sad news.

Gordon Solomon said...

Depressing news indeed. Dave, Mac and myself became interested in New Orleans jazz at about the same time and played together in various bands from the 1960's onwards. A true enthusiast of the music who never said a bad word about anyone.
Gordon Solomon.

Anonymous said...

Just note to register my comments regarding Dave Rae . I was very sad to learn of the passing of Dave Rae.
I first met /worked with Dave Deputising for John Robinson On many occasions Also meeting up with the many Guests that Dave booked on a regular basis
A true gentleman in The New Orleans style
R I P
Raymond Newton Double Bass/ Cello/ Bass Guitar

Keith Peplow said...

Keith and Maggie Peplow in Sicily
We are both so sad to see the news of Dave Rae,he Always had time to speak to speak to us, and provided such good music with his band, so easy to dance to, and provided such a relaxed atmosphere,our thoughts to his family.Rest in Peace Mate.

Chris & Sandra Stapleton said...

Sad indeed. Dave was so kind and thoughtful. The jazz was inspiring and his regular contact since we moved away from NE much appreciated and missed. Jazz scene will be the poorer for this loss. RIP

Margaret & Barry Aitchison said...

Sorry to hear of the news that he is gone he will be missed in the jazz, we liked his music. Now that he is gone we have lost his music and his jazz RIP.

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