With a jazz less Thursday at Hedsor in prospect, I have space to tell you of another gig to look forward to that isn’t at Hedsor!

In line with our Jazz Angels intent NOT JUST to support Hedsor Jazz events, I have promised a mention in this week’s blog, a fund raising event coming soon to Lane End.

In order to raise funds for Lane End Village Hall they are putting on a jazz concert.

See poster art below:-

 

Now this is a brave venture. The concept of raising money through a jazz concert is kind of unexpected. Usually jazz events are run in negative equity!

But this one has every prospect of making money, and I would advise early attendance for it.

Alan Barnes, one of Britain’s greatest jazz assets, he was wonderful at Hedsor in August this year

Jack Honeyborne, a pianist not only even older that I am, but a star of the silver screen as well, having had a major part in the film “Quartet”. And he is a pianist well worth listening to as well.

Simon Allen, a graduate of the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, (which eventually became “Pendulum”) is a young player who has surprised well known saxophonists at his ability to not only play alongside them, but to actually be able to outplay them.

So a trip to Lane End on October 30^th should be put in your diary. I am assured there will be a bar and available nibbles, with car parking near by. All for £15.

Back to our home territory.

Last Thursday was a Hedsor Jazz Night at its very best. Jazz at the very forefront of the genre, with James Fenn playing some of the chords but mainly adding in innovative notes on guitar alongside Frank Walden on tenor sax. Franks interpretations of some well known bop tunes was a revelation. Many of the 12 tunes played though the evening are familiar through the LP albums that introduced us to modern jazz back in the 1950’s and 60’s. But here was a further exploration of the music. A great evening for Hedsor Jazz!

Some snaps of the night are below:-

 

Autumn has started, a bit strange to be sure, warmer and dryer than usual, but we are approaching winter, and indeed we have to start thinking of Christmas.

Well at Hedsor Jazz, we have done so already, and our Christmas Party plans have at least been thought about!

Below is our plan for the Autumn season. Not quite finalised, but our intentions are clear. Hedsor Jazz will continue to Provide top quality and entertaining jazz every other week. Yes, I am aware that through the darker days of winter getting to Hedsor will make you hesitate, but do please continue to support us, and live jazz. Without venues like Hedsor Jazz at The Hedsor bar, jazz musicians won’t have a place to maintain their craft.

Then, all we will have will be those 1950’s recordings, and the memories of times from our past.

A HEDSOR BAR JAZZ WEEK

Yes, this coming Thursday, September 24^th, Hedsor Jazz presents, to coin a phrase, “The Best of Jazz”.

Coming to play for us from 8pm we have saxophonist Frank Walden, and guitarist James Fenn. They will be backed by our regular trio of Ken McCarthy on keyboard, Al Pirrie on bass and Mike Jeffries on drums.

SO for your £12 cash entry you can listen to top quality jazz, and save yourselves the agro of going all the way to London Town! Hedsor Jazz is bringing London jazz music to Hedsor! Club bar prices, and if you come early enough and the footballers have all walked to play that night, there will be free car parking!

Frank and James are part of the jazz ensemble “The Filthy Six”, and Frank and James have also just released an album of their own. “Objets Trouves” can be purchased on CD and LP, and can even be downloaded for just £9!

If you follow the link https://www.frankwalden.co.uk/about you can take a closer look.

Frank was part of Amy Winehouse’s band from 2007, and is still very busy touring to keep her memory, and that of her music, alive.

So it would be a wise move if you turned off the TV and came and listed to real live jazz music in the company of others who love that music too. I can assure you that Frank and James love and play the music very well!

 

Do look back on previous issues of this blog to see what we have coming in the future, and what we have delivered to various ears over the past 20 years!

 

We have plans for next year, plans to carry on with our brand of live jazz at Hedsor. We plan to slightly increase the number of sessions for 2027. In place of the easy to remember every second and fourth Thursday, we will be presenting live jazz in the Hedsor bar every other Thursday. I think that means that next year you won’t have any long jazz droughts in the months that have 5 Thursday’s.

“Harder to remember, but so hard to forget” or something like that.

So do take note of the dates that are always published on our posters, flyers and of course in this blog!

In the days when I was paid to work, before the days of even Hedsor Jazz, I learnt to really appreciate the playing of saxophonist Tony Coe. Sadly Tony died in 2023, and we never got him to play Hedsor Jazz.

He was a truly unique musician; you could always tell it was him playing from the phrasing.

I first heard him when as an 18 year old he became a member of the Humphrey Lyttleton Orchestra. Playing mainly then on Alto sax, he joined perfectly with Humphs trombonist of the time, John Pickard, and formed “The Tony Coe Quintet”. The only LP ever released by them (in mono!!) was “Swinging ‘till The Girls Come Home”, a landmark in British Modern Jazz.

Over a long career in 1995 he received an honorary degree from Canterbury University (his home town) and the Danish Jazzpar Prize.

Do look him up on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Coe

As a parting shot for this weeks blog I thought I would past in a link to one of his recordings, available via Spotify, from the CD “Dancing in the Dark”

https://www.google.com/search?q=tony+coe&rlz=1C1VDKB_enGB1117GB1117&oq=tony+coe&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgAECMYJxjjAjIJCAAQIxgnGOMCMgYIARAuGCcyBwgCEC4YgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg9MgYIBxBFGDzSAQgzNjM0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bbf1f319,vid:nn4mhZ89060,st:0

Don’t forget that in order to keep live jazz alive, we need a live audience. That could be YOU!

 

 

Good Tuesday to all.

No Jazz at Hedsor Jazz this Thursday.

BUT

It was a tremendous session last week, with sometimes great excitement at the way the music developed between Alam Nathoo and Mark Ridout. Sometimes it was a bit complicated to understand, but the exploitation of the tunes by them was amazing to behold. Our drummer Mike Jeffries certainly thought it challenging, but our audience were thrilled. My photos (well snaps really) are below.

Guest pianist in second set Andy Stermer

 

Our next live jazz at Hedsor will be on September 24^th where we will again join a saxophonist with a guitarist. This time however they know each other pretty well. Frank Walden and James Fenn (saxophone and guitar respectively) both play in the band “The Filthy Six”. This is well represented on YouTube. See for example  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8P67sqNu-E

Both have played at Hedsor many times, James’s association with Hedsor going back many (many!) years. In the early 2000’s we ran some guitar led jazz sessions on a Monday night in the bar, and on one memorable occasion we had James Fenn, Vasilis Xenopoulos and pianist John Critchinson in the band. As the bass player on the night (Lisa Amato) said “that was a gig that was”! Sadly John died in 2017

John Critchinson

 

Frank is a relatively newcomer to Hedsor, but has joined us in the last 5 years or so. He really enjoys the opportunity of playing jazz at Hedsor, as he still earns more of a living in the popular music arena. In 2007 he joined Amy Winehouse’s band and stayed with her for the remainder of her career. This led to joining Mark Ronson’s band for his ‘Version’ tour. He then went on to spend a decade as sax player for the great Tom Jones.

As father to two young children, Frank currently spends a little less time on the road, but continues to tour with Elio Pace’s Billy Joel Songbook and the Amy Winehouse Band.

‘Objets Trouvés’ is Frank’s first release as leader, and features a rhythm section of James Fenn (guitar), Andrew Noble (piano), Phil Donnelly (bass) and Darren Beckett (drums).

Some of the above text I have culled from Frank’s website, do take a closer look:-

https://www.frankwalden.co.uk/about

If you now take a look below at our latest handbill you will see that other great names come to play for us at Hedsor, most times playing in the modern jazz “bop” style.

But on October 22^nd we thought we would literally play tribute to the great tradition of jazz tunes. Adding to a trumpet /reed, front line we have invited trombonist Ray Wordsworth to join Lester Brown and Mark Aston  to play in front of our regular trio. All three are very versatile musicians, and this evening will give them the opportunity to play some of the tunes associated with earlier periods of jazz. It should be great fun, tell you friends!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLRRvFrhx2E

PS. Nanci Zhang has sent us a link to her new album, do have a listen:-

https://nancizhang.bandcamp.com/album/just-for-us 

 LIVE JAZZ IS AT HEDSOR THIS THURSDAY!

Yes this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10^th IS one of our live jazz presentation days at The Hedsor Bar. And we have in prospect a very exciting night of jazz music.

Coming to play in front of our regular rhythm section are Alam Nathoo and Mark Ridout.

It might of course be a disaster, they have never played together before and they have never even met! 

BUT I can’t wait to see how it goes because we know both of their individual abilities from previous visits to Hedsor Jazz.

Lets start with a press reference to Alam from The UK Jazz News in 2009

Alam Nathoo at Hedsor

 

“Trinity College of Music describe the Isabelle Bond Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Performance 2009 as the “pinnacle of the College’s competition calendar”. The competition was held at St John’s, Smith Square on September 16th. And it was won by jazz saxophonist Alam Nathoo, a postgrad at Trinity, previously at Guildhall, and a member of Tomorrows Warriors Jazz Orchestra. He has Tanzanian roots. Hongera!

Here’s the interesting bit:

-none of the jurors was a jazz specialist
-both Simon Purcell (Head of jazz at Trinity) and the college’s press officer whom I spoke to were convinced this is the first time this top prize has gone to a jazz musician.
-Simon Purcell told me “He’s a very fine saxophone player, what more can I say. And he won this prize against other artists of international reputation.”

Now lets add in a bit about Mark Ridout

Mark at Hedsor earlier this year

 

"Mark is an experienced guitarist having performed in many of the UK’s major jazz venues and festivals with such names as Jimmy Smith, Barbara Dennerlein, Tony Martin, Natalie Cole, Jane Monheit, Eddie Parker etc….

He has appeared on albums for various jazz artists including Jacqui Hicks, Andrea Vicari, Stuart Curtis, Simon Thorpe’s Improphonics, Clive Fenner and also pop and rock albums. Also as a session guitarist Marks playing is featured on some computer and wii game soundtracks.

Mark toured the US with Jazz funk band ‘Down to the Bone’ in 2001. He has performed on TV for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and with Alison Moyet on the ‘Lesley Garrett Show’ and is regularly to be heard on the radio in the BBC big band.

Mark has a busy teaching schedule and has taught on the Wavenden Jazz Summer, The Loire Jazz Summer School and the NYJC summer short course amongst others. Mark has an interest in all areas of guitar playing but is often sought out by students for his in depth knowledge of jazz improvisation."

You see that this mentions teaching, and the strange thing is that Mark did at one time teach Alam’s WIFE!!

 

Coincidences apart, prizes from the past apart, our experience from their pervious Hedsor Jazz appearances tells me that this will be on of those magic jazz nights that you will not want to miss.

Our last jazz night of August gave us not only an evening of great tunes from the combined talents of Lester Brown and Duncan Lamont Jr but it also gave us an insight in to the stories behind many of the tunes they played. It was particularly poignant that Duncan’s dad wrote many that were sung by the late Tina May, a great favourite for us at Hedsor. She used to come to us for our Christmas party.

We will be seeing both Lester and Duncan again later in the year, but with different partnering! Do check out our latest poster art below:-

 

Those of a keen eye will notice we have removed the tag “Second and Fourth Thursdays” from the advert. We are going to make it every other Thursday from the start of 2027 and from now on you need to make note of the date. Yes it is important, December will be different again! Keep an eye on this blog!

 

See you all Thursday, don’t be late, its still at 8!

 

Geoff

Geoff’s Blog for a Hedsor Jazzless week!

No, no jazz at The Hedsor Bar this week, so only a report on last weeks entertaining jazz evening delivered by Duncan Lamont Jr and Lester Brown, photos below.

As suspected both musicians gave some insight into the tunes played, and it was also a delight to hear a tune written by Duncan Lamont Senior in tribute to Tina May. Time does pass, but none of us Hedsor old-timers will ever forget our Christmas party evenings led by Tina. Neither can we forget how sad was her passing. It was good to hear Duncan talk about her.

Taken at Christmas 2017, Both Lamonts and Tina May!

Coming to Hedsor in 2 Thursdays time (September 10^th) we have an exciting combination coming up, and you should ensure you are free to come out to it. “Mark” your diary NOW!

On saxophone Alam Nathoo, (soon to be blest with a second child), and Mark Ridout, who had one of his children (Tom) play with him here at Hedsor in April!

Mark

Alam

Mark is a very talented and exciting guitar player. Alam is recognised for us at Hedsor as a tremendous talent. They have not played together ever before, so we are going to stir the mix and watch out for musical fireworks!

Next week I hope we can publish our program for the next couple of months, but do keep looking for news and information about Hedsor Jazz in this blog.

Tell your friends. Hedsor Jazz is beginning to be recognised as a very special place to listen to live jazz in.

A CD TO LOOK OUT FOR

One recently departed jazz musician who never got to play Hedsor was pianist Brian Kellock. I have held him in high esteem for a number of years, he was a special pianist, identifiable by his style and always exciting to listen to. Sadly he enjoyed alcoholic beverages more than was sensible and past away in 2025.

During his lifetime he played some wonderful duets with singers and saxophonists. Do look out for CD’s doing just that, including those with Liane Carroll and Julian Arguelles.

He was a member of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, and often did gigs with Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith, the orchestra’s leader.

One CD I come back to time after time is “Symbiosis”. It was recorded on 2004 and is a supreme example to how to use just 2 instruments together. No drummer to hide behind, just notes to play with. The choice of song means there are tunes you can whistle (if you still can!), familiar tunes. CD Artwork below, but do check out the Spartacus records catalogue. The SNJO also on that label, and the recording as well as the playing is always top class.

 

*Symbiosis   a close, long-term biological interaction between two different species!

 

One last plea. At Hedsor can you please ensure your mobile phone has airplane mode turned to on, it stops interference and disturbance!