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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17733 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 53 of them this year alone and, so far, 53 this month (Jan. 20).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: New '58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool. 6:30pm (doors). Free. A Burns' Night event. Jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues etc.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Parish Hall, St Barnabas’ Church, Rowlands Gill. 7:30pm. £10.00. BYOB (tea & coffee available), raffle. Proceeds to St Barnabas’ Church. Performance feat. Shayo (vocals).
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 26: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 26: Gratkowski, Tramontana, Beresford, Affifi @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 28: ???

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 30: Matters Unknown (aka Jonathan Enser, Nubiyan Twist) + support TBA @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £12.22 (gig & food); £9:04 (gig only).
Thu 30: Soznak @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Struggle Buggy @ Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Rhythm & blues.

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

Friday, July 19, 2024

Brian Ebbatson RIP

Brian Ebbatson died today (Friday 19 July). Brian was a keen supporter of the regional jazz scene, helping out at various venues and events. A member of the Lit & Phil in Newcastle, Brian and his wife Linda, could often be found serving teas and coffees, arranging seating, writing programme notes for the monthly lunchtime jazz concert series and much more. 

The Gala in Durham similarly benefitted from Brian's selfless work behind the scenes. Quietly spoken, Brian became a familiar face at the Gala with his informative Friday lunchtime concert introductions. Over the years, Brian introduced countless musicians to Gala audiences, including two who were particularly close to his heart - Paul Edis and Jo Harrop. Brian was also an ever-present figure at the Ushaw Jazz Festival, working tirelessly behind the scenes. A true friend to many on the jazz scene, Brian Ebbatson will be sorely missed. Russell    

2 comments :

Paul Edis said...

I first met Brian Ebbatson in 2011 at a public meeting (at the Lit and Phil in Newcastle) to discuss the future of Jazz in the North East. I made some input to the meeting during the course of the discussion about supporting local musicians, and afterwards Brian approached me full of enthusiasm. He was a lifelong jazz fan, and an amazing advocate for the arts and culture in the North East.

In the years since I met Brian, he encouraged me to establish the lunchtime jazz series at the Lit and Phil - frequently helping alongside his wife Linda to serve drinks from the coffee hatch as well as producing the programmes. He also helped establish the lunchtime gigs at the Gala in Durham in 2014. Here again, he helped by designing and printing the programmes, selling artists CDs, greeting the audience and even introducing the bands. Despite his ill health in recent months, he was determined to continue producing the programmes and attended as many gigs as he could manage.

In 2016 I was asked to organise the first Ushaw Jazz Festival. I realised if I could enlist the help of some local Jazz enthusiasts (and all round good eggs) it would be a big help in spreading the word about the festival, in helping to find the best ways to make it a success and to stop me getting overwhelmed in the process. Brian was one of the first people I thought of. As on every other occasion, he immediately said yes and was happy to be of service to the cause.

It’s been a real privilege to have known him and to have worked alongside him over the years. We ended up talking not only about music (including the time he saw the Thelonious Monk Quartet perform at Dunelm House as a student!) but about so many other things besides. He was a proud father and grandfather. He was passionate about social justice and believed in the benefit of culture for all. He believed in it so much that he actually made it happen. The North East jazz scene wouldn’t be what it is today without Brian’s influence, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not met him.

Rest in peace.

Lance said...

Beautiful words and memories spoken from the heart.

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