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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, October 05, 2013

Bill Harper Remembers - Part One.

Hi Lance, I'd never looked at the fact that I'd set some sort of record for supporting some of the world's greatest jazz soloists but, as you say, it is an era which regrettably has gone, so maybe I have a record which will never be broken. Looking back through my diaries, I was amazed to find that I had worked with more than 80 world class players, many at the Corner House and also many other venues organised by Jazz NE, plus my time working with Frank Brooker at Festivals throughout the UK, NI & Belgium. I will always be grateful to Jazz NE  who, in 1983, gave me the opportunity to be in the company of a veritable "treasure chest" of great US stars, the first one being Art Farmer.
Of course it wasn't all down to me-- I was surrounded by great local players like Sid Warren, Willie Payne, Mike Gilby, Derek Dixon, all sadly no longer with us, & a little later the power house engine room of Adrian Tilbrook & Peter Stuart, without whose support I would at times have been struggling badly & I will always be in their debt.
Art Farmer was a lovely man with a quiet sense of humour who was surprised to see that I had the changes, introduction & ending for 'I Remember Clifford" & he smiled when I told him that I had taken them down from his original recording with Benny Golson. I worked with him later at the Rosehill Theatre (Whitehaven) which was in the middle of nowhere, out in the sticks. After playing to a packed house, the trio was preparing for the long trip back to the NE when he popped his head through the dressing room door & said "Come on you guys-- lets hit the jazz spots in town". A great sense of humour!!!
Of the many trumpeters that I have supported, Warren Vache is my personal favourite. For tone, technique & musical invention, he is unsurpassed for me & in spite of a fearsome reputation, I found him to be a likeable intelligent man. He could be extremely aggressive & abrasive & didn't tolerate fools gladly but Anne & I spent a couple of days with him on a gig at Ulverston & I have to say we enjoyed his company immensely. His recollections on his career plus the hilarious events that took place at the gig would fill a small book--- maybe later!!! Of course I can't talk "trumpets" without mentioning the gentle giant Bruce Adams who is without doubt the most extrovert player I've ever worked with. Blessed with a phenomenal technique & a sense of humour to match, he is as easy as an old shoe & an absolute joy to work with. He is a good friend & we do see him from time to time over here as he has a summer residence 80 kilos away.
(end part one).
Bill Harper.
(In the photo above Bill is far right with Dennis Healey (dms); Sid Warren (ten); Al Grey (tmb); Derek Dixon (bs) and Willie Payne (gtr) - Lance).

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