Bebop Spoken There

John Donegan: ''What you take in through your ears can come out through your fingers.'' (Notes to Which Direction October, 2026)

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

19,057 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 921 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 29) 100.

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

From This Moment On

October.

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.

Sat 31: Saltburn Big Band + Durham Alumni Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Sat 31: East Coast Swing Band @ Cramlington Village Club, Park View, Cramlington NE23 6QJ. 7:30pm. £10.00. (from venue).

November

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet w. special guest Donna Hewitt (tenor sax, clarinet)
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Sarah Heneghan Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 03: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. guest tba
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.
Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: An Evening of Erykah Badu @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 7:30pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 05: Hejira - Celebrating Joni Mitchell @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Thu 05: Cut Capers @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors).
Thu 05: Northern Reaches @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations). Pete Tanton, Joe Steels, Laurence Blackadder, John Hirst.
Thu 05: Fergus McCreadie @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Saturday, June 12, 2021

A Tribute to Gerry Hughes @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough - June 12

 
Kevin Eland (trumpet, flugelhorn); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Ian Bosworth (guitar); Dave Archibald (keyboards); Paul Dickerson (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums) 

When Gerry Hughes died some months ago his many musician friends determined to celebrate his life by organising a day filled with music and happy memories. The Tees Hot Club bassist would have been amazed by the huge crowd assembled today on the sports field at Dorman's Club in Middlesbrough. 

(Photo by Russell)
On a glorious summer's afternoon many musicians gave their services free, they were there to pay tribute to Gerry, clearly, a very popular man. Bagging a table on arrival, the sounds of a trio playing a selection of well known numbers by the likes of Bill Withers and Neil Young made for a good start to the day. Efficient table service delivered a bottle of Double Maxim and a Pinot Grigio together with a couple of cheese toasties. 

As the jazz ensemble, a six piece outfit, took to the outdoor stage, guitarist Ian Bosworth was at pains to point out they were not there as the Tees Hot Club. Trumpeter Kevin Eland led the line alongside Darlington Big Band's tenor sax man Richie Emmerson. Opening with the Spencer Davis hit I'm a Man suggested this would be an uptempo set, just right for the occasion. Eland soloed on Sugar, the band cruised through Sunny, Emmerson impressing, and, a most appropriate God Bless the Child, a feature for Emmerson, kind of summed it all up, a fitting tribute to Gerry Hughes. MC Ian Bosworth said Gerry would have loved to have been here! The session drew to a close with a regulation take on Watermelon Man. 

Your correspondent's return journey to Newcastle was made all the easier thanks to pianist Jeremy McMurray offering a lift into Middlesbrough town centre. Thanks Jeremy! Russell

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