Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

JANUARY 2026

Thu 01: ???

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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

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