THIS WEEK AT HEDSOR JAZZ   LIVE JAZZ

Poster Art courtesy Tracy Geogiades

Yes this Thursday is a live jazz night at The Hedsor Bar. 8pm start 10.30 finish and £12 to get in! Then you will be listening to a 6 piece ensemble.

We thought it would be a bit of fun to extend our front line to include a trombone player this week. So in addition to the trumpet of Lester Brown and the reed playing of Mark Aston we have invited the trombone playing of Ray Wordsworth

Lester and Mark have been associated with Hedsor Jazz for a long time. They both go back to the days when our leader at Hedsor Jazz was Clive Burton, a trombone player!  So we thought it would be good to be reminded of some of the tunes played in the past.

Lester and mark at Hedsor in 2021

Ray Wordsworth is a well respected trombone player who became part of the Humphrey Lyttelton Band that included Karen Sharp and Jo Fooks before Humph past away. I remember him playing in that band at a concert I saw at Kings Lynn back in the early 2000’s. In more recent years he has been associated with the Glenn Millar Orchestra. He has also played as part of “The Sound of 17” that was led by drummer Dick Esmond, which also included bass player Ken Rankine who was Hedsor’s bass player for many years.

You might like to check out one of Dick's sessions at Ealings “The Plough”.

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

This one also has Lester Brown

So spread the word that this Thursday you get 6 players for £12! We pay them more than that!!

 

In the weeks when we don’t get live jazz at Hedsor it does give me the chance to catch up on some of my CD collection. One that had been misfiled under Ellington was a great re fined!

As many of you know I was (and still am) a great fan of saxophonist, the late Tony Coe. I had placed an Alan Barns CD in amongst those of Duke Ellington because it was titled “Harlem Air Shaft”. It has some very Hedsor players on it. AND Tony Coe! Sadly Tony never played Hedsor, but Alan has him on this album alongside Bruce Adams. Alan and Bruce are now both familiar to us! Also included is bassist Alex Dankworth who did play Hedsor once!

 

It was recorded (and probably misfiled!) in 2008. It is on Alan’s Woodville Label, so is probably still available to buy from him, much to the delight of his aged relatives!!

PS

IF you're within range, Alan is playing TONIGHT at Dawkes in Maidenhead. Why not search it out and give yourself a wet day reviver!

 

A Brief Blog this week, as we don’t have any jazz at The Hedsor Bar this coming Thursday.

But we do have a few moments of recollection for last Thursdays session.

It isn’t many local jazz clubs which hire the space to play in that can attract such wonderful jazz musicians to play for them as we do at Hedsor.

But if you look at the pictures below you will see that we had the combined skills and talents of trumpeter Bruce Adams and of saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr.

The Complete Ensemble

Duncan Lamont Jr and Flute

Bruce has only been coming to us over the last couple of years or so, but Duncan is a long time friend of Hedsor Jazz. We have listened to him over many years, but the Hedsor magic got to him last Thursday. I can honestly say that I had never heard him play so well a he did last week. He excelled on tenor sax and on flute, and he looked pretty smart too!!

 

Bruce is always a delight to hear. He is an amazing technician on the trumpet, and a very talented jazz improviser and raconteur as well. His plunger mute technique was far better than any a plumber!

Bruce and Al Pirrie

 

Hedsor Jazz’s magic has just struck again. If we could extend that magic to include tele transportation (beam me up Scotty!) I’m sure many more of you would love to be in our audience!

 There were enough bodies in the audience to feel comfortable last week, but such musical skill should have more bodies to give the approbation that the performers deserve. BUT if you missed them, they will be back.

For our last gig for October we are trying something a little different. Two regular Hedsor Jazz musicians, trumpeter Lester Brown and saxophonist Mark Aston, both of whom have played for us over many years, will be joined by the trombone player Ray Wordsworth (who hasn’t been to Hedsor before). It literally broadens the front line and gives the guys more musical space. Don’t be surprised to hear some old pre bop tunes on October 22nd

 Below is a now completed list of Hedsor Jazz gigs from November until Christmas. IF you have the capability do please copy, print and display so that others can come and enjoy HEDSOR JAZZ

I have been asked to mention that for our Christmas party we plan to have some Christmas style nibbles for everyone to share. If you feel that you can help with their supply do please let Peter England know, as he is coordinating the food side of our event. 

Until next week, do keep live jazz alive at a gig near you. Be an audience!

“Winter is a cumin in!” Moist mists and getting chillier!

BUT THIS THURSDAY (OCTOBER 8^th) IS A LIVE HEDSOR JAZZ EVENING!

And what an evening we have in prospect. Trumpeter Bruce Adams and saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr playing in front of the Hedsor Jazz Trio led by pianist Ken McCarthy.

Two of the stalwarts of the British Jazz Scene are coming to play for you from 8pm. No need for you to travel to London, local parking free (if there is space, come early!), and beer at club prices. Both musicians have become regular visitors to Hedsor, and know our team very well, so it will be a brilliant evening, all for just £12 each cash on entry.

 

Our last Hedsor Gig for October is something a little different. On October 22^nd we have invited trombonist Ray Wordsworth to join two Hedsor Jazz regulars to maybe play some old tunes! Trumpeter Lester Brown and Reeds man Mark Aston have played Hedsor Jazz over many years. They both have the ability to play a wide genre of jazz styles and we thought that adding in a trombone player (who hasn’t been to Hedsor before) would lend an added interest to the music on the night. I won’t call it “Trad!” But maybe some old old tunes will get played!

Below is an as yet “unpublished on paper” list of our gigs up to our Christmas Party, with only one week yet to be finalised. Mark them your diary. And note that for 2027 we will be having some top quality live jazz at Hedsor every other Thursday.

 

If YOU have a favourite jazz musician that you would like to see at Hedsor, why not think of sponsoring them yourself. Hedsor Jazz will fund the trio, you fund the front line. Seek out our treasurer John Dutton and make him an offer he can’t refuse!

Just to round off today’s blog I thought I would introduce to you a CD that contains jazz of recent vintage, but reflecting a much older style.

This is a pairing of clarinet and piano. Kenny Davern claimed to be the worlds best clarinet player, whilst Dick Wellstood was an old fashioned stride piano player, with a great way of introducing his tunes with a vibrant New York accent. He was a really great pianist, trying to keep alive an older style of music. This CD was recorded in 1984 and will give you a taste of small bar jazz a la 1930’s.

Kenny Davern was a good clarinet player, but he was very difficult to even be an audience with. He often refused to play into any microphone, and I saw him being very rude to a member of the audience who asked him to stand nearer the microphone. His reply was “if you wanted to hear me louder you should have got here earlier and be nearer the front!”

https://www.discogs.com/release/8488382-Kenny-Davern-And-Dick-Wellstood-Never-In-A-Million-Years?srsltid=AU7gw4V5kR0jLK2CwvLkrXqnKJcEaiH6GnEs8T4WnVrGAv4LGdNo-rwx