Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Tue 27: Pete Roth Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:30pm. Feat. Bill Bruford. SOLD OUT!

Wed 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 28: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 28: Mama Terra @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.08 (inc. bf).
Wed 28: James Hunter Six @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £28.50. adv. Rhythm & blues.
Wed 28: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 29: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 35s only. Rescheduled from December 4th.
Thu 29: Oh No Noh + Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £16.45., £13.28., £12.22., £9.04. Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

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

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Breaking News - RIP Don Fairley

Ray Harley has just passed on the sad news that ace trombone player Don  Fairley died yesterday.
More details when known.
Lance.
In the photo taken by Russell Don is nearest camera.
at

7 comments :

Patti said...

Oh no - such sad news - Don was a fine player, yes, but a real gentleman - a really sweet man ....... condolences to all family and friends.

Thursday, April 09, 2020 8:46:00 pm
Russell said...

At a gig Don would always say hello. A nice man, a gentleman. I imagine the other two trombonists in the photo (Neville and Gordon) knew they were in good company - musically and socially.

Thursday, April 09, 2020 9:30:00 pm
Brian Bennett said...

Sad news indeed. Don will always be remembered for his warm, friendly demeanour and fabulous trombone playing. His passing leaves a huge empty space in the local jazz/big band music scene which he’s been part of for so many years. R.I.P.

Thursday, April 09, 2020 11:33:00 pm
Lance said...

Yes, a great player and, apart from our mutual love of jazz, we were both cat people. I shared Don's sadness when he had to go into a care home and rehouse his beloved cat.
Thoughts are with Joyce and all who knew him as a musician and a friend.

Friday, April 10, 2020 2:26:00 am
CCJAZZMEN said...

I had known Don since my Newcastle big band days, and recently it was always wonderful to have a blow with him on my visits to Tyneside, very sad news, lovely person and a fine trombone player.
R.I.P.

Colin Aitchison
(Hong Kong)

Friday, April 10, 2020 6:03:00 am
Anonymous said...

He is certainly NOT DEAD I was talking to him last night and this morning and he was his usual chirpy self , it must have been someone else with the same Name , just shows how rumours start xx

Friday, April 10, 2020 2:01:00 pm
Anonymous said...

So sad !!! Worked with Don on countless gigs over the years--a delightful man, superb musician & without doubt, the "gouvener" trombonist in the North of England. A huge miss on the scene. Condolences to Martin & the family
Bill Harper

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 1:57:00 am

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