Hi everyone. Today, a thin blog, after a no blog last week!!

I am still trying to knife and fork enough technology to enable comfortable use from a laptop. I had an operation last week and am still in recovery mode.

Sadly the op means I am missing a number of really high quality jazz gigs. Tonight, November 11th, for instance, Alan Barnes will be at Marlow Jazz with Greg Abarte, so do check out their web page. https://www.marlowjazzclub.com/

This Thursday, November 13th at Hedsor Jazz we are excited (and for me sad to miss) another Cookham Resident, saxophonist Vasils Xenopolous. Our musical director Ken McCarthy tells me Vasils has already been in touch with him to let him know that he will be bringing a full set of tunes and scores for the evening. So all well in hand! It will be a great chance to hear Vasilis as he will be the only one in front of our regular rhyme section.

 

A great opportunity to hear Vas in small group format AND for the relatively small price of £12 for entry. 8 pm start.

Last week Hedsor hosted trumpeter Stuart Henderson alongside another local resident, saxophonist Alam Nathoo. I am  indebted to Tracy ( the keeper of the door money!) for the picture (below) taken on the night.

 

Alam used to live in Cookham, but moved even nearer to The Hedsor Bar in Bourne End and is now able to walk to our gigs!

I am told last weeks gig was really super.

I have also learnt whilst an absentee from Hedsor that Stuart, who has been a regular supporter of our jazz venture at Hedsor for many years, will soon be moving West from Reading to one of the more rural areas surrounding Swindon. Easy access to London and Bristol via the M4. Both well known jazz hotspots.

Many years ago, shortly after the M4 was opened (Circa 1971) , a number of Cookham residents decided that as The Dutch Swing Collage Band were appearing midweek in Swindon that 2 car loads of us should go. Looking at the map it didn’t seem too far. A trip after work and a meal in Swindon after the gig looked to make the outing a cinch!

Great gig, great Chinese meal after it, and a very tired Geoffrey at work next day! But we were all young then.

So support local live jazz. You know it makes sense. Especially for those of us who have matured!