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: ???

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.

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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