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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. 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

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

The Magnolia Club


Good to hear from Alf Stone. How are you Alf? I didn't see you a couple of years ago at the Ushaw Jazz Festival. I approached this chap and said, "Hi Alf, long time no see." He replied, "My name is James!"


However, I digress. The photo (posted to me by Alf) is from a gig in 1952 at the Magnolia Club? I'm trying to recall the venue. I'm sure some of our, phrase this carefully, older gadgies will have memories.

The personnel is given as - (l-r) Dennis Reay (age 18), Mighty Joe Young, Brian O'Byrne, Pete Welsh, Clem Avery and Brian Richardson.
Let's hear from you.
Lance

5 comments :

Unknown said...

Dennis Reay was my father. By all accounts he was a fantastic jazz pianist.

Gordon Solomon said...

The Magnolia Club was in the old Central Arcade in Pilgrim Street, now demolished of course. I knew Dennis well, on the occasions when we played together we often used to go off night clubbing after the gig and have a good natter into the small hours. He was one of the jazz scene's characters and a very good pianist. I remember sometime in the 1960's my band (Phoenix Jazzmen) was booked to play the Milvain Club on the West Road. I had a call at 7pm from banjo player Terry Harvey to tell me that he could'nt make the gig. I knew that Dennis lived just down the road so I quickly drove there. Dennis answered the door in his pyjamas, and informed me that he'd just been married that afternoon and this was his honeymoon night. He then hesitated and said "How much is it worth"! Needless to say his new wife was most annoyed when he asked her so he had to refuse the gig. Sadly missed.
Gordon Solomon

Unknown said...

Gordon - many many thanks for your wonderful memory.

I’m currently doing some family research and have very little / nothing of note left of my father.

My aunty has been very good at saving family heirlooms and history but Dennis didn’t leave anything behind.

Are there others that I can contact in order to get a better sense of what Dennis was really like?

Many thanks & regards
Chris Reay

Gordon Solomon said...

Chris, I don't think I can be of much help. Nearly all the musicians from that period are either gone or have dropped out of view. Perhaps someone will see these posts and respond.

Unknown said...

Morning Gordon, many thanks for your prompt response and I understand the situation as it was a long time ago - but worth a shot all the same!

Thanks for your wonderful insights and take care.

Chris

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