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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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 02: Lauren Bush: The Jazz Singer’s Toolkit @ The Pele, Corbridge. 1:00-4:00pm. Vocalist Lauren Bush with pianist Jamil Sheriff presents a jazz singing workshop. £40.00. (inc. evening concert, see below). Registration required for workshop: www.laurenbushjazz.com. All ability levels welcome.
Wed 02: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 02: Lauren Bush & Jamil Sheriff @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00-9:00pm. £10.00. Concert performance. Tickets: www.laurenbushjazz.com.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! See website for updates: www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

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, June 29, 2023

R.I.P. Tommy Graham

Gordon Solomon sent me the following sad news: 'Tommy Graham passed away today. Tommy was not only a really swinging drummer but also a lovely gentle man. I’m sure he’ll be sadly missed on the north east music scene. Condolences to Natalie.'

I can only echo those sentiments.

Tommy's father, Johnny Graham, was an excellent drummer and very much an extrovert. Tommy inherited the former if not the latter trait.

As Gordon says, he was a lovely gentle man.

On the jazz scene he was part of, among others, the Maine Street Jazzmen, played with the Vieux Carré Jazzmen and, latterly, with Classic Swing and the River City. His solo on Caravan invariably brought the house down.

Over the years he was part of an organ and drum duo with Tommy Moran and they held down residencies at various night clubs and CIU clubs throughout the region.

He was totally unflappable. I recall an occasion at Rosie's in South Shields where the Maine Street Jazzmen had a weekly residency and I mentioned that Eric Delaney had just walked in. Didn't phase him at all. I suspect the reaction would have be the same if Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson had joined the party! 

Funeral arrangements will be posted when known.

Very sadly missed. Lance

7 comments :

Sylvia said...

I knew Tommy from his work with Classic Swing at Cullercoats Crescent club…he was always full of fun and I will remember him every time I hear Caravan…lovely man…

Jim Fay (on F/b) said...

Apart from his drumming skills, he was a really likeable person. RIP Tommy

Mia Webb (on F/b) said...

Such sad news. I worked with Tommy for a great number of years with the Tommy Moran Quartet. Always smiling and a great sense of humour. He will be missed by all who knew and worked with him. Condolences to his family. R.I.P. my friend xxx

Russell said...

Tommy would always nod and say 'hello'. A genuinely nice man.

Jeremy McMurray (on F/b) said...

Tommy was a lovely guy and a fine drummer, he had a who wonderful sense of humour and was always a pleasure to work with. He will be missed. RIP Tommy.

John Hudson (on F/b) said...

Another fine musician leaves us. Worked with Tommy on a few gigs....powerful drummer and really nice guy.....'bye Tommy.....R.I.P.

Tommy Moran said...

Tommy Graham was not just a great friend to me, he was also like the brother I never had!

Not only was he a great drummer who I worked with for 50 years, but he was a lovely guy, and was regarded as part of the family by our family members.

We are absolutely devastated at his loss, as we all loved him very much, and will miss him terribly.

RIP Tommy, my friend.

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