Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

August

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners @ NOVUM Festival, Newcastle. Free. Three performances: Grey St. 11:30am; Northumberland St. 2:30pm; Great North Museum 4:45pm.
Sat 08: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ FIKA Gallery, Morpeth. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £20.00.; £40.00. to inc. glass of fizz & food options.

Sun 09: Sticky Lips @ NOVUM Festival, Newcastle. Free. Various city centre locations/times.
Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Jam session @ The tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 12: Look Left @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Saturday, May 13, 2023

R.I.P. Jack Goodwin.

(Taken Feb. this year)
Sad to learn of the passing of Jack Goodwin who left us in the early hours of this morning after a long illness that became progressively worse.

Jack's daughter Karen tells me he was listening to the music he loved until the very end.

Jack's music tastes covered a wide spectrum going back to 1954 when, as a New Orleans style trombonist, he became a founder member of the original Vieux Carré Jazzmen. 

He moved on to more modern areas and a photo he took of the Don Rendell/ Ian Carr Quartet later formed the cover art for their album Live at the Union 1966. 

His greatest achievement in jazz circles was, without doubt, the definitive discography he produced of tenor saxophonist WARNE MARSH. The amount of time spent researching his subject was most surely a labour of love for the work of his favourite tenor saxophonist.

(See comment)
When Marsh and Lee Konitz played at the Corner House in Whitley Bay I was privileged to be in Jack's company and to be (briefly) introduced to Warne Marsh. "This is Lance, he works in our local music shop so if you need any reeds ..." He didn't need any reeds!

The last time I actually spoke to Jack was in 2016 when Russell and I collected some 'surplus to requirement' cassettes and some '78s' - Jelly Roll Morton's Library of Congress recordings - from him.

Like all true jazz enthusiasts he covered both ends of the spectrum.

Jack Goodwin was 91.

Sadly missed, May he Rest In Peace. Lance

2 comments :

Brian Bennett said...

I’m sorry to hear the sad news about Jack Goodwin. He was the original VCJ trombonist along with the other founder members, Pete Gascoigne trumpet, John Saxelby clarinet, Pete Deuchar banjo, John Lowes string bass and Peter Drysdale drums. I was in touch with Jack for quite some time and he always expressed an interest in where and when the Vieux Carré Jazzmen were performing. I’d hoped to get Jack along to one of our sessions for a sit-in, but sadly, and mainly due to various health related issues, he never made it. However, he did send me a rare pic of himself playing trombone around 1952/53. He commented, "I seem to remember that there is only one existing photograph of Buddy Bolden. I appear to share that same rarity.”

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear that Jack has passed. He was an extraordinary human whose time and effort regarding Warne and his recordings is "ne plus ultra." He and I corresponded for a while and he sent me many CDs of rare Warne recordings that I will be forever grateful for. Sincerest condolences to his family. I will miss him.
Alan Pudding

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