This week, my blog contains something for you to mull
over, as well as an indication of what you can come and see this week at Hedsor
Jazz.
As
you may know Hedsor Jazz is supported and organised by Jazz Angels, and Jazz
Angels recently had a meeting that led to the following discussion document.
Since
it was issued (29.1.24) we thought it would be a good idea to circulate it more
widely to gain reaction, and to perhaps find that all important manager for the
project.
So
please read on.
Jazz Workshops, a
discussion document
At
our last Jazz Angels meeting during our discussions on sponsorship and the need
to attract younger people to Hedsor Jazz the idea of Jazz Workshops was
floated.
As
discussed, it was suggested that during the summer months (school holiday dates,
which for Bucks C C are Wednesday 24 July to Friday 30 August 2024) we ran at
Hedsor some open invitation jazz workshop evenings where aspiring players could
join with more experienced players and use the hour or so before our Thursday full
jazz evenings to gain experience.
If/when
a more well known musician was booked for the main Hedsor Jazz event that
evening, then perhaps that person could run a Master Class (one grade up on a
workshop!).
The
more experienced musician running the Master Class would be paid an additional
sum for his/her extra hour of instructional time.
These
pre jazz club sessions would last for approx. 1 hour, and be *charged for, with
the pupil players being able to stay on for the main session at no extra cost.
Initially
we (Hedsor Jazz/Jazz Angels) would perhaps need to provide the instruments for
the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums), but we should anticipate that the
workshop attendees would like to provide their own if one of these (p,b,d)!
This Hedsor Jazz
Workshop will need to have a manager. *If taking an active part in the teaching on
a Thursday some payment for the hour should be anticipated.
We
would need to let it be known amongst local schools as well as with separate
advertising that these sessions are available. It should also be stressed that
they are for jazz practice and not R&R.
There
is the possibility that some of the students might well sit in and play as
guests for part of the main evening performance. Also eventually students could
put on a full evening performance (we did use some Brunel Univ. students some
year ago for an evening).
The
proposition is that we build up amongst younger aspiring musicians an audience
for our Hedsor Jazz sessions, as well as the workshops themselves becoming valued
events that could attract sponsorship.
End
of Discussion Paper.
If
you would like more information about this proposal please talk to me (Geoff
Cronin), Mike Jeffries, Martin Hart or when available John Dutton.
Now
what is happening this Thursday (February
15th) at Hedsor Jazz?
This
week we see a return of The Clive Burton
Celebration Quintet. This consist of Mike
Wills on reeds, Lester Brown on
trumpet, Nigel Fox on keyboard, Peter Hughes on bass and Martin Hart on drums.
The
music at Hedsor Jazz was initially played by The Clive Burton Quintet, and
when trombonist Clive died, the rest of the band voted to have Lester blow in
his place. These days not everyone is available to gather as frequently as
before, but this week it is one of those rare occasions. Do please come along
and listen, perhaps to some of the tunes we used to hear.
One
of the little mentioned activities at Hedsor Jazz is the opportunity to buy second hand jazz CD’s. These are
available every week for the mighty sum of £1 each, and all the money raised
goes to Cancer Research UK. There is always a box of over 100 jazz CD’s for you
to brows through, and like LP’s and Cassettes, CD’s are beginning to find
favour again. There is nothing better than actually owning the recording and
the sleeve notes that go with it.
Last
week Hedsor Jazz presented a complete band, The Pirrie Pirrie Quartet, plus one (our own drummer Mike Jeffries).
They consisted of Steph Pirrie on trumpet
and vocals, husband Al Pirrie on
bass (as he often is at Hedsor anyway), Noah
Smith on tenor sax, and Martin Pickings
on keyboard. An evening of interesting music and song (we don’t get “Cry Me A
River” at Hedsor very often) and the variation in personnel did encourage a
larger audience than was feared due to the heavy rain on the night. But it was
a good audience and a fun evening. For me the find of the night was Noah Smith. Great phrasing and tone,
possibly lacking in a bit of self assurance, but heck, he is the third new performer
to us this year who doesn’t look old enough to be allowed a beer! Mind you I’m
not sure if we should risk advertising a Noah again considering the rain we had
on the night! Perhaps we could counter that by getting Steph to sing “The Sun
Has Got His Hat On, and He’s Coming Out Today”!
My
pictures are below.
DONT FORGET that
since December 2023 we have been starting our evenings at 8PM
