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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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

Monday, January 20, 2025

R.I.P. Kenny Kirsopp (1962 - Jan. 19, 2025)

Last night I was told that north east sax player Kenny Kirsopp was seriously ill. I was shocked then and, when I learned this afternoon that he'd actually died last night (Jan. 19), I was completely stunned.

Although I knew his parents well (family friends and, like my parents, members of Hebburn Amateur Operatic Society) it wasn't until Kenny enrolled at Newcastle's prestigious College of Arts and Technology (CAT) that I really got to know him, mainly from when he came into J.G. Windows buying reeds and various other sax accessories.

I watched his progress over the years as he advanced from local jam sessions to becoming somewhat of a name on South Tyneside as Kenny The Sax as well as playing with various rock/blues bands.

I lost touch with him for some years but caught up with him again in 2011 at the Sunday lunchtime blues session at Gateshead's Central Bar where he often appeared blowing wild tenor and alto with The Skywalkers (see photo at top).   

In 2023 he was a member of General Mojo and made a memorable appearance at the wake that followed the funeral of his long time musical associate Dave Weisser. The previous year he'd played at Dave's birthday party (see photo left).

So many people will have so many memories of a man who was not only a great musician but a great character in an age when great characters in jazz are becoming more and more rare.

Kenny Kirsopp will be sadly missed. Lance

8 comments :

Anonymous said...

Kenneth Kirsopp was my cousin and I had lost touch with him over the years as I travelled oversea for some 50+ years, Kenneth has a sisters called Pauline and again I have lost touch, if anyone has a contact number for her please call me on 07951525033 thank you in advance John Shearer

Lance said...

Kenny's son Chris is on Facebook. He should be able to help.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Lance but I have spoken with Pauline and have her Number also, I have never been on FaceBook

Anonymous said...

I remember following kenny and his band the ant hill mob in the early 90s great player and what a character ! 👏 a great miss for the north east !

Anonymous said...

Any funeral arrangements known yet?

Lance said...

Not yet.

Anonymous said...

Any word on funeral arrangements yet?

Anonymous said...

Hi all the funeral is on the 19th 2:45 at south shields crem

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