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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 ...

April 2025.

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: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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

Saturday, September 30, 2023

A music shop for sale - but not just any old music shop ...

The news that J.G. Windows music store is up for sale due to the owner's retirement has given me a feeling of deep emotion, not least because I spent the last 32 years of my working life there.

I made many friends during that time, both staff and customers, and many of those friendships continue to this day.

If you worked at 'Windows' it was like being a member of a rather elite organisation. I recently spoke with another former employee, one much younger than me, and he said that having J.G. Windows on your c.v. didn't do you any harm at all.

Also, if you formed a band of all the musicians who at one time or another put in a shift behind the various counters you'd have a north east super group.

The asking price is half a million. I must have a chat with my bank manager - he's always wanting to have a chat with me...

Let's hope that a buyer comes forward The Central Arcade is as much a part of Newcastle city centre as Grey's Monument or the Bigg Market and, without J.G. Windows it wouldn't be the same. Lance

6 comments :

Patti said...

Absolutely, Lance - you were the first person I thought of, when I heard the news. Windows is such an icon - it can't disappear!

Brian said...

Lance, I can totally empathise with your sense of sadness and loss.
Along with countless others on Tyneside, I’ve been both a regular customer (and browser) at JG Windows for more than 60 years. Bought my first ‘new’ jazz records there in the early 1960’s. Also fortunate to have played on many occasions with members of its sales team who were prominent on the local jazz scene. It has to be a concern that JG Windows will go the same way as Banks of York which closed its doors recently along with several of its branches and moved its business online. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen and our iconic music store carries on as it has done since 1908. Just a thought, but maybe the rock superstars of Tyneside could chip in some of their loose change to make sure it does.

NeilC said...

Oh no !! The sense of sadness is only surpassed by concern given the store is so unique and given its history . When you look around the town the number of empty shops or those converted to the current trend of businesses such as nail bars and barber shops you have to be deeply concerned for its future as the business it is . It would be criminal to see it be anything other than a purveyor of all things musical so lets hope a sympathetic buyer comes forward .

Gordon Solomon said...

I do hope it continues as a music store, it really is an institution. I bought my first trombone there in 1962 from Ronnie McLean. It was a Boosey and Hawkes Emperor and cost £25 10s. I remember after about two weeks I took it back as the slide was very tight and Ronnie exchanged it for a brand new one! Good service indeed.

Brian Bennett said...

TV Writer and Photographer, Neil Atkinson wrote:
'In its own way, J G Windows was as important to the music scene as the City Hall, New Orleans Jazz Club and Club A GoGo and I hate the thought of it becoming yet another estate agent, trendy cafe or clothes shop.'
(from Facebook)

Bill Lee said...

I suppose such an event as the potential loss of J.G. Windows was inevitable and it is an
'ask not for whom the bell tolls' moment. A trip to Newcastle was never complete without trip to Windows and to come away without some music was generally unheard of. To browse was as important as making a purchase and would inevitably expand your desire for something next time.
It will be a huge loss if it does go and the Arcade will never look the same without those huge windows filled with objects of desire. We can only hope that the business is preserved for future generations.

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