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

18122 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1086 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 07: FILM: Blue Moon @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Dir. Richard Linklater’s biopic of Lorenz Hart.
Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 08: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones of 1976.

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

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.

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, August 13, 2020

RIP Brian Whittle.

Lewis Watson sent me the sad news that well known northeast reeds player and teacher has passed on. I'm sure there must be many musicians with fond memories of this great musician who would like to share them with us - Lance
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My old friend and teacher Brian Whittle died on 11th August in hospital in Spain, I hope this posting is seen by some of the many people that studied and worked with Brian over many years, a wonderful Alto player, much loved and respected by all who were fortunate to know him.  Rip.Brian

Lewis Watson

7 comments :

Richard Emmerson (On F/b) said...

That's sad news. A lovely man and a great player. I had the pleasure of playing alongside him in The Little Big Band on Tyneside in the 80's and occasionally with Voice of the North. Unforgettable!

Ian Stocks (On F/b) said...

Brian and I worked several times together. He was a fine saxophone player..several funny stories about him and Arthur...sad news .

CCJAZZMEN said...

Very sad news indeed. Brian was one of the tutors when I was at the College Of Arts and Technology in Newcastle in the early 1970's and he used to take the student big band.

I will never forget being late for a rehearsal, and there is nothing worse than walking in
and everyone looking at you, Brian looked at me and said 'Teddy Foster' would never stand for this ! most students had know idea who Teddy Foster was, but he knew I did..

Wonderful teacher & musician. R.I.P.

Colin Aitchison (Hong Kong)

Peter 'Tubby' Ayton said...

So Sorry to hear of the passing of Brian-great sax player with a wonderful sense of humour. I worked alongside him when I taught bass at Newcastle College and played with him in various bands and ensembles over the years.Visited him at home one day, he invited me to his garden shed, to show me some of his wood carving, and the lathe he used, I hadn't been aware of his talent in this direction. I am sure Brian will be ok where he is now, as long as they don't have to play 'In the Mood'! - RIP Brian - Peter 'Tubby' Ayton.

Ray Harley said...

Brian Whittle, I would just like to say that he was just such a lovely unassuming man who I had so much admiration for and my pal in Portugal, Gary Cox was also in awe of the man.

Jason Greenwell said...

Very sad to discover Brian has passed on. He was my first sax tutor at New College Durham in the 80's. I used to love listening to his stories about his musical escapades. The mixtapes he used to make still contain some of my favourite music to date - sorry Brian I never did master the alto sax solo from 'Invincible' (Don Ellis). An inspiring teacher and a lovely man.

Unknown said...

Brian Whittle taught myself and others clarinet at Rutherford High School in the 60s a really lovely patient man and a fantastic teacher, I always remember his suede shoes RIP with grateful memories. Janice Mein as I was then

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