No Jazz at Hedsor this week.

But the past week has been memorable.

Last Thursday singer Jennie Howe with partner and trumpeter Simon Gardner so enjoyed there time at Hedsor Jazz that they have already asked to come again! Watch this space, BUT they are already on our Christmas list!

Jennie gave voice to some well know songs, linking them together with her Irish lilt and she finishing the evening all off with “Route 66”. It’s a tune not played that often at Hedsor, but many years ago at Norden Farm in the tribute concert to the late Keith Vitty, it was the last song of that evening too! 

My pictures are below.

 

On Sunday last, at a strange time for a jazz event (5.30pm) Christ Church Marlow hosted a concert to raise money for Ukraine. As you may recall both Christ Church in Marlow and Maidenhead URC have joined together in fund raising and have sent out over 80 lorry loads of aid for the people of Ukraine since the war there started 4 years ago. On Sunday, the Ukrainian Solidarity Jazz band played from the heart, and raised another £1000 for that cause. The music (not all jazz! Some of it was Ukrainian folk music) was superb. From a jazz supporters perspective a number of things stood out. The house piano (a Beckstein!) was played by Maff Potts, and he and the piano were excellent. He is someone I hadn’t come across before, but will look out for in the future.

For jazz songs the singer was Fleur Stevenson and she was also excellent. The musicians did draw the audience together at the end with a couple of surprise end tunes. “Route 66” being one! So I heard it twice in a week! This performance was very bluesy and with a rocking vocal that even included a harmonica. As a finale they all joined together in “I Wish I Knew How it Would feel to be Free”. It was a great evening of entertainment and I think it did give real joy to the audience.

The church’s half time refreshments, all included in your £10 ticket price, were also very generous and included a free glass of wine as well as nibbles. A few pics from my phone are below.

 

The performers are listed below:-

Fleur Stevenson, Steve Foster, Maff Potts, Steve Kershaw, Robert Otwinowski, Ben Robins, and Kirilo Avilov.

 

It was one of those evening you could go to out of a willingness to support a good cause and to be part of a social event. BUT by the end you knew that you have enjoyed a great evening out. Those two finale numbers had the church audience yelling for more!! Well done Marlow.

Coming to Hedsor Jazz next time (April 23^rd) we have a superb guitarist, Mark Ridout. Previously he has come alongside saxophonist Frank Walden. This time it is a purely family affair, as he will be playing alongside his son, saxophonist Tom Ridout. Make sure that day is in your diary.

 

If you have only ever heard of Hedsor Jazz but have never been, you wont realise what quality music we have been listening to. Do look at our upcoming gigs (poster below) and try us out. For those of you who are regular attendees you know already what quality jazz we produce. Thank you for your support. We could do with a few more in our audience, so do encourage your friends to give us a try.

It could change there approach to Thursday nights forever!

 

Thinking of Jazz in Church I am running another of my “Jazz goes to Church” mornings on Sunday 26^th April at Cores End United Reformed Church from 10.30 am. Check the venue via Post Code SL8 5HZ.

Playing secular songs that make you think, (especially on a Sunday morning) will be Ken McCarthy, Gill Cook, Martin Dunsdon, Peter Hughes and Mike Jeffries.

If you are free, why not come along, it is after all, FREE!

Geoff C