Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 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

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Pat Martino Appeal


Internationally beloved jazz guitarist Pat Martino (Patrick C. Azzara) has not worked since November 2018 due to severe health issues and his ability to keep financially afloat has been greatly impacted by his current disabilities. This legendary artist from Philadelphia has exhausted his savings and sees no other options before him other than to appeal to the larger community for help. He needs your donations and your good will to keep his household intact and pay medical bills while he concentrates on getting healthy.

After returning from a tour in Italy last year, Pat Martino contracted a virus that affected his already weak lungs devastated by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . After seeing a lung specialist, Martino was told that he would need a double lung transplant, but unfortunately his body had been so depleted recovering from the virus that an operation at that time would be out of the question. 

 Since then, Pat has lost weight and is now on oxygen 24/7. In addition, Pat Martino has been experiencing problems with the fingers on his left hand and is currently in physical therapy to try and remedy this tragic development. This uniquely gifted guitarist is unable to play. Unthinkable, but true.

Many fans and fellow musicians see Pat Martino as some kind of superman who proved victorious over a debilitating brain aneurysm   in the early 1980s. His heroic comeback after such a serious blow to his health was truly miraculous, but what his fans did not know was that long battle compromised his immune system making it difficult for him to resist infections. He has constantly fought hard to stay healthy throughout his life.

Pat Martino has always felt that being able to play music has been the medicine that has kept him surviving under the harsh physical conditions he’s had to endure. With his left hand disabled, he’s trying the best he can to stay positive, but his financial situation is dire.

Pat Martino is the living embodiment of a true jazz heart. He needs your help and is calling out to those who have been inspired by his music and life for a response to his hour of need.

Please give what you can, any amount will be appreciated.
(Pat Martino Fund is registered with his real name, Patrick C. Azzara) 

** If you would like to contribute by check, send a check to:

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