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 15^th) 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