I was reminded last night that some of our local jazz fans look to this blog to find out what is on!! Well, that was the purpose of it in the first place. I have tended to make this a secondary operation after I have emailed people with my nag. This really needs to be corrected (in my head anyway), and so I have reproduced below the attachment from the last nag that lists OCTOBER'S interesting events.

October 2008 Jazz Gigs associated with The Clive Burton Quintet *
issue 2

Sunday 12th October
The Fifield Inn (TFI) 8pm
The Clive Burton Quintet aka Century Jazz free entry, raffle. Guest saxophonist Peter Cook

Thursday 16th October
HSC 8.30pm
The Clive Burton Quintet £5 entry

Sunday 19th October
TFI 8pm The Century Jazz Anniversary night, with special guest trumpet star Martin Shaw.
See http://www.edwards-instruments.co.uk/trumpet/artists/shaw.shtml for more info on Martin Shaw. Free entry, raffle

Thursday 23rd October
HSC 8.30pm £5
The Clive Burton Quintet. with guest guitarist John Coverdale
Note, details amended in second issue!

Sunday 26th October
TFI 8pm
Clive Burton Quartet plus another UK jazz star Simon Spillett, free entry, raffle.

Thursday 30th October
Clive Burton Quartet plus another UK jazz star Simon Spillett, £5 entry

*Clive Burton’s Regular Quintet are, Clive on Trombone, Mike Wills on Reeds, Zane Cronje Keyboard, Ken Rankine Bass and Martin Hart Drums. On Sunday’s the bass player is John Monney An ALL STAR Band!

Advance Notices
November 6th at Hedsor we hope to have as our guest Gordon Campbell.

“Gordon is regarded as one of this country’s leading trombone players. He is currently Lead-Trombone in the BBC Big Band, a position he has held since 1984. His varied career has encompassed Jazz, Classical, Musical Theatre, Film and Pop and he has worked with many of the world’s leading performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Barbara Streisland, Tony Bennet, Ray Charles and Robbie Williams.”

November 15th The Woodley Theatre (http://www.woodleytheatre.org/ ) will have a band led by our drummer Martin Hart, with Vibes player Alan Graham, and bass player Andy Crowdy, alongside Ken McCarthy on piano.

December 11th we are planning to run our Christmas Party, with lots of guests, in the Hedsor big room!! Put it in your diary NOW

Very Advanced Notice
Cookham’s Festival of the Arts Jazz Evening in 2009 will be Sunday April 26th, and it will be Very Special!! Remember to keep it free.

Now, If I forget to nag in October, you can still find out whats on!!

If you were used to getting my weekly nags by email, and have recently stopped getting them, would you please send me an email asking to be reinstated.

Keep live jazz live, you know it makes sense!! Turn out or it will turn off!

Below is a repeat of the text of my irregular Jazz nag, inviting fans to attend the sort of gig I go to myself.

Tomorrow, Thursday 2nd October , at The Hedsor Social Club, The Clive Burton Quintet play from 8.30 pm, admission £5, which now includes a raffle ticket. Second hand CD's are also for sale at this event.

As most of you know, Clive's Quintet play modern jazz, which isn't really modern, but for all you Bop fans out there, they do play it very well.

On Tuesday 7th October, we have another chance to hear Clive, and if you enjoyed some of the music from last years Cancer Research Concert, you will have another chance to hear Clive with John Slater on Trumpet, voice and humour!
In this iteration they will be called "Jubilee Jazz", and will be playing more in the Dixieland style than Bop, so if you are fan of Cookham's fabulous Shirtlifters why not come and hear their lead trumpet in a different musical environment.
The band will be at The Bourne End Community Centre from 8.30 pm, entry, with raffle ticket and half time refreshments is still only £4 (I think!).

Now I'm going to write about some of the Jazz CD's I've listened to in the last week or so. The artwork should be at the top of the blog.

First up, one I hadn't heard before, even though it was recorded on 1960. To be honest, in 1960, I was more likely to be listening to Chris Barber than Stanley Turrentine, but listening from this new perspective of time distance, it really is something I should have been listening to before. It's classic bebop, with Stan on tenor sax, Horace Parlan piano, George Tucker bass and Al Harewood drums. The album is called "Look Out", and its well worth lookin out for. Its a BlueNote reissue via EMI. They play mostly compositions by Stan, but "Tiny Capers" by Clifford Brown will be familior to most, as will Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays". Its one of Rudy Van Gelder's remasters, so the sound quality for the year is excellent.

OK, so Stanley Turrentine wasn't the most famous star of the bop revolution, but he should not have been missing from my earlier education, and so maybe he should now be included in yours!! The number is a mind blowing 50999-5-14377-25. What are they on!

Next Up, is a band that I listened to right from the start. It is again back in the 1960's, this time 1968. And The Kenny Clarke-Fancy Boland Big Band were making a big impact in Europe. Most people into Big Band Jazz had purchased "Smiles, and "More Smiles", and I'm sure some people bought those just for the covers alone, but this one "Fellini 712" had a more modest cover. The musicians were all legends, taken from Europe, the UK, and the USA. They included Benny Bailey, Tony Coe, Dusko Gojkovic, Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott and many more. It was a beautifully crafted and well rehearsed big band playing modern music with an accessible melody line. All soloists gave something to the music, and the mix was magic. And it can still be had today, because its all reissued on MPS Universal 02498 14805. Its not a new reissue (2004), but should still be obtainable.

The last album this time has been reissued so many times, and I have bought all of them!! Its one for my Desert Island. "Humph at the Conway" never ceases to enthral and entertain. Its from the "Dirty Bopper" period, with Bruce Turner joing Humph's well established band with Wally Fawkes clarinet, Johnny Parker piano, Micky Ashman bass, Freddy Legon guitar, and George Hopkinson on drums and washboard. What a mix, and it was 1954!

Timeless music, call it mainstream or whatever. I just call in marvelous. The sense of fun, the live atmosphere of the recording, it's was all, for me, wonderful stuff, as I discovered that jazz didn't have to be constrained to a trumpet, trombone, clarinet front line. One single track stands out for me, Bruce Turner playing "St. James Infirmary Blues". Go and search it out. I've got it this time round on Calligraph Records CLGD 038, published on 2000.

Well, that about rounds up this one. Look out for the CD's, and do keep live jazz alive by turning out to the gigs.

TTFN

Geoff C

I'm rushing this out in a hurry, because I don't want anyone to have forgotten, that TONIGHT, we have another of our wonderful jazz sessions at The Hedsor Social Club from 8.30 pm onwards. From TONIGHT, the entrance fee goes UP to £5, but it does include a raffle ticket (just 1).

The performers tonight are, of course, The Clive Burton Quintet.

CD's

Having rushed that off my chest, let me tell you of 2 of the CD's I've been listening to in the last few days (covers illustrated above).

First a lovely album from the present. Alan Barnes, who is in danger of being the most overworked saxophonist in the business, has released an album on his own Woodbridge label, playing just clarinet! Its in trio format, and is really paying tribute to the Benny Goodman Trio of the 1930's. With him he has 2 young musicians, Jim Hart on vibraphone, and Paul Clarvis on drums. It is incredibly well done, and wonderful in that these guys are playing music that one thought of as forgotten in the rush for young jazz musicians to reinvent the jazz genre!

Its well recorded, it swings, and you can whistle the tunes. "Seven Come Eleven", "Slipped Disk", "Airmail Special", all the tunes are there. But they are not note for note copies of those 1930's originals. Each musician appreciates the tune, but adds to its value. Highly recommended. And it is always nice to know that buying a copy will keep Alan's children from starvation!! "Swinging in Studio One" is on Woodville WVCD118.

The other Cd is in fact a Lake Records double album (2 for the price of one as the cover says), and like the majority of Lake releases, a re-issue.

This time its from the 1960's. Disk one from 64 and disk 2 of 66. They are both of the Humph band of the time, but accompanied by Count Basie trumpet Star Buck Clayton. In the days of the recording, the MU were still in dispute over visiting American musicians, and recording them in the UK was not allowed. So, the LP's (yes,I DO have the original LP's!) led one to believe they were recorded in a restaurant in Switzerland. Actually they were recorded in the back of a pub in Willesden!

Between 64 and 66 the band Humph led went through a number of changes. The earlier tracks have Tony Coe on tenor sax, coupled with the amazing Joe Temperly on baritone sax, a marriage made in heaven from my viewpoint. On bass was Pete Blannin, and Eddie Taylor was on drums (Stan Gregg, who had been playing drums up to 1956 (yes, drums) for Humph had been called up as a reservist to do his bit in the Suez Crisis and never got back to being the drummer. He got back eventuallyas the pianist!). On piano was Eddie Harvey, who also played the trombone! Its just wonderful music, and as we are all blindfolded you cannot easily tell who is playing the trumpet at any one time. "Unbooted Character", "The Hucklebuck", "The Wrestlers Tricks" are the better known tracks, but they are all good, and despite the venue of the recording, its not half bad.

The second disk see's Chris Pyne on Trombone, and Kathy Stobart on tenor sax. Eddie Harvey remains on piano, but Dave Green is on bass, and Tony Taylor on drums. "One for Buck", "Poor Butterfly" (well they are now an endangered species!), "Russian Lullaby" and "Bernies Tune" leave you with plenty of opportunity to join in on your whistle. Lake should be congratulated on there reissue of British Jazz heritage. These 2 came from 77 Records, which used to be Doug Dobell's label (the 77 being the shop address in Charing Cross road). It's not a lot of money for a double album, so spend it! LAKE Records LACD227

Well, as the winter returns (did it ever leave?) I shall probably get around to listening to more from my collection, bu until the next time its

TTFN

Geoff C.

The Chris Barber LP "Battersea Rain Dance"
The Humph CD, "Georgia Mae"
The Chris barber CD "Jubilee Stomp"
The Nicki Parrott, Rossano Sportiello CD

Razzamajazz
Singer Lea Lyle and Some Young Fans

If you are one of my many friends who are below retirement age, looking forward to the long lazy days of post 65 years, forget it!! I haven't written a nag of any value (if they are of any value anyway) since BEFORE my 70th birthday party, because I have been too busy! And I still am, but thought I ought to upgrade the priority list.

So, here it is, a Jazz Nag!

What's on?

Hedsor on Thursday has The Clive Burton Quintet with Mike Wills on saxophones. Don't forget that VERY soon, the entry price is going to go up to a mammoth £5, but with the added value of a raffle ticket included, but this week, it is still £3 to get in, from 8.30 pm onwards.

Fifield on Sunday also has the same regular band for your delectation. 8 pm start, free entry, hot food available.

Tuesday 2nd September has another of Mo's value jazz events at The Bourne End Community Centre. The band is one I dont know, but I'm assured they play good "mainstream" jazz. They come from the St Albans area I think and are called "Martin Horsfields Melody Room Jazz". Usual rules apply, entry includes raffle and light bites in the interval.

Also on Tuesday 2nd Septemer, the young saxophonist who sat in during my 70th Birthday Bash, James Shaw, is running a Jazz Jam session evening at The Old Ticket Hall, Windsor Railway Station. With him as backing rhythm section are Ken Thompson guitar, Peter Hutchinson bass, Nick Monnas drums. Do feel free to go along and listen and/or join in.

That's about it for the weeks plugs. I have listened to a few things at home in the last 3 weeks, do look below for details.

One last mention. Yesterday at the Littlewick Green Show, it was a very pleasant end to the day to see "Razzamajazz" drawing an audience to listen to some pretty competent Dixieland Jazz. Some well know (and worn!) faces were there, including Mo's Derrick on bass and Mike Jeffries on Drums and Denny Islet on Trumpet. Lea Lyle joined them for some entertaining vocals, and she did her best to grow a younger jazz audience. I've added in some snaps to show the event!!

Recorded Music

First of is an LP, a generous gift on my Birthday Bash. In 1969 Chris Barber surprised most of us by releasing this most amazing record. An amalgam of Jazz, Funk and Rock. The purists of any of those musical forms hated it, I loved it. How to turn a trad band into a "wow" band, well, listen to it. "Mercy Mercy Mercy", "People get Ready", Dancy Dancy", and my favourite "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" (very apt for this summer particularly!). Its a wonderfully rich and varied sound, in early left, right stereo, with a good depth of sound. I dont think this has ever been reissued on CD. It was originally release on the Marmalade Label, and the LP's are re selling at around the £25 mark.

Second, and I'm listing these in chronological order, is a 1995 CD from a German label of the 1974 Humphrey Lyttelton Band called "Georgia Mae". This is the band that brought together the talents of Bruce Turner and Kathy Stobert on saxophones, Mike Pyne on piano, and Dave Green bass with Tony Mann on drums together with , of course, the leader playing very fine trumpet. Bruce Turner was, is, and always will be one of Britain's finest jazz stars, and finding another album with him on it is always a treat. Small group swing at it's best. I have it on a German CD Pastels CD 20.1623

Next, another Barber Band CD, one that I have had since 2003, mainly because it has the Big Chris Barber band on it. 11 men, playing 1920's and 30's scores without the aid of the dots themselves. Lovely sound, and so sensible of Chris to give himself and Pat Halcox a break by employing not only Bob Hunt on trombone, but other members taken from the Bob Hunt Ellington Orchestra. the tune "Battersea Rain Dance" gets another outing, as does a very little known Fields and McHugh tune called "Freeze And Melt" ( which also seems very appropriate to this years summer!). Go and buy it. Timeless Records CDTTD654

Finally, a real new comer to the listening booth (who remembers them then?). A lovely, beautifully recorded album (one for audiophiles, it is so good) from a piano player and a bass player. One from Australia (the lady bassist), the other from Italy. Some singing too, but great late night listening. I always find it difficult to convey with words what the sound is, and for a pianist, to give references. Well, he has heard all that has gone before, but a kind of extended stride style best describes him. The bass playes all the right notes, and is in fact very pretty. I do mean the sound, although the lady herself does look rather fine in the photos!! Tunes include "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To", "What a Little Moonlight Can Do", and Chopin's Revolutionary Etude (in C Minor)and there are some originals too, so it is a very interesting listen. If your Hi Fi has clarity and bass, you will love this one. Nicki Parrott and Rossano Sportiello: People Will Say We're In Love : Arbours Records ARCD 19335

That should keep you going for a few days so its.....

TTFN

Geoff C

I thought I would include for everyones information all of the text of a letter I put out last Thursday to all the Hedsor Jazz club people. We announced on that night our need to increase for the first time in 3 years our admission charge from £3 to £5.

JAZZ AT THE HEDSOR SOCIAL CLUB

Following on from some discussions with both band and Angel members, we have decided that we would make some changes in how we run things here at Hedsor, in order to, not only maintain the current position, but to enable it to improve.

We are dedicated to ensuring, to the best of our ability, that the Jazz does continue here, and we would also like to be able to put on the occasional “Big Show” in the larger room at Hedsor. Some of the inspiration for this has been this years Cancer Research Concert, and “My” Birthday Party.

We also have a vision of perhaps helping the Hedsor Social Club itself by arranging with them some joint ventures. We would be helping Hedsor Club with their income by bringing in more people on those “big” nights.

Bigger names or the same big names more often is one of our objectives, and sometimes that will mean paying more for that privilege.

We are not going to reduce either the frequency of our meeting, it will still be every week, or the quality of our players and guest artists. So do watch this space for who is coming. In the next few weeks it will be mostly the regular band, featuring Mike Wills alongside Clive, but we will be adding in the occasional additional player to enlarge the sound.

If you have any ideas regarding the jazz clubs operation that you think we can accommodate, then let either Clive Burton or Martin Hart know.

One sad bit of news is that owing to the Hedsor Club deciding that they will not open on a Monday at all, my Monday Jazz session with James Fenn and guests will not be able to recommence in September as I had hoped.

I myself don’t want to carry on with quite the level of activity as in the last 2 or 3 years. I will still be involved as an angel scribe. I’m going to carry on with nagging and blogging, but I don’t want to carry on the responsibilities of deputy treasurer, or advertising manager. We are looking for volunteers to take on both these rolls.

We need someone to be responsible for collecting the Red Box money and for paying the band every week that John Dutton is away. We also need someone to help improve our advertising and public image in a proactive way. It is something I am not very good at, and we do need to improve in this area. Not just doing my bits of paper, but liaising with newspapers and local radio.

Like Clive, I am very proud of the band, and I am very proud of the friendly atmosphere that we have at our jazz sessions. I just want it all to carry on.

Geoff C

Scribing Angel


Tuesday, 12 August 2008

"I feel very honoured indeed that some of you have come a long way to be with me here AT THE HEDSOR SOCIAL CLUB tonight, on this my 70th birthday.

There are people here from The Midlands, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Essex, Oxfordshire and Greater London.

Give yourselves a round of applause for turning out, thank you so much.

And a big “thank you” to all of the jazz people who have been part of my life. Jazz has been my kind of music for the last 57 years.

Some of you know about my thoughts on Angels, no, not Jazz Angels, although we have some of those to.

I believe that angels are people, who come into your life, and share it with you. Share some of lifes burdens with you.

Sometimes they stay, sometimes they do there bit and then leave, but Angels they are.

Many of you are very aware of the difficulties June and I have faced in the last 7 years. My Angels have helped me through some of those very dark days.

Some of my angels are the players themselves, who give us this remarkable music called JAZZ.

A Happy Music, a Swinging and exciting Music. A music that has lifted me very often when I have been very down.

So Thanks to all the players.

Some of you are the punters. Some of you have turned out week on week, paying your £3 into the red box, to listen. BUT you also bring with you the very real warmth of friendship.

Some of you have been around when you were most needed and perhaps you didn't know that you were!

Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my repaired heart.

God bless you all."

These are some of the words that I used to thanks all who turned out for my birthday bash at Hedsor on7th August.

For me, it was a wonderful occasion, and I hope you all enjoyed it too. Both socially and musically it worked in a way that you can only hope it will when you plan the event.

What I wasnt prepared for was the generosity of all who came "bearing gifts". To say that I was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness is an understatement of grand proportions!

Clive Burton and his Quintet played as well as I have ever heard them, and all of the guests (John Coverdale, Mike Jeffries, John Slater, Vasilis Xenopoulos and James Shaw) excelled themselves. And didnt Mike Wills and Vasilis do an awesome tenor sax duet?

James Shaw is a young man, who had previously sat in at a Gig organised by Mo, and that he thought was going to be a jam session. Clive kindly invited him to join in on a couple of numbers in the second half. 3 Months later he emailed me, just the day before my party, to tell me about his new gig in Windsor, and asked help in promoting it. I suggested that he might like to come to my "do" and do that himself. And didnt he do well? Not just in telling us about it, but by standing there alongside Vasilis and blowing with the confidence of a much more experienced player. And to choose to do "Body and Soul" as his solo number was incredibly brave. But it worked!

This is what he wanted to tell everyone (from his email)....

"I've got a new monthly jam session going at The Old Ticket Hall in Windsor. If you know any musicians that might be interesting in coming, especially rhythm section players, it'd be great if you could give me their contact details. The next session is Tuesday 2nd September".

At the top of the blog I have put in some of the photos taken on the night. I hope it gives you all a flavour of the occasion.

I've promised not to organise another 70th birthday party anyway, so you can all rest with that assurance, well, at least until NEXT THURSDAY, because at Hedsor this week, we have the regular band with us, and guess what, Mike Wills will be celebrating his 60th birthday!!

TTFN

Geoff C

Some Thoughts on The 2008 Swanage Jazz Festival

The Swanage Jazz festival is always one of my years highlights, and over about 17 years, I haven't missed one, even if I have been carted away from one with an operable heart condition. I was even back in time for the following years events.

Some Festivals are more memorable than others, some great, and some just good. But hey, good is great isn't it? A few more good week ends would keep the world happy, so no criticism is ever intended.

One persons view of Swanage is obviously very subjective. You could go to the same festival, and always see something that I didn't. And you can say that for at least three people, which is why I always say to people that they must go and "stroller" round to find out who/what they like.

So what did I see.

Friday Evening

Marquee 2 Alan Barnes and the Woodville Allstars.
And they are all stars! I have an awful memory for names, but the stars included Enrico Tomasso on trumpet, Andy Wood (? might have been a dep) trombone, Andy Panaya reeds, Robin Aspland piano Andy Cleydert bass and Bobby Worth on drums. A stunning evening full of rich harmonies as Alans band played tribute to Johnny Hodges. He kept apologising for playing these wonderful tunes. When I saw him next day I told him he didn't need to do that,and that when I had recovered from Ken Colyer in the 1950's, my next love was Johnny Hodges!

It could have been the 6 session pints he had consumed that made him apologetic!

Saturday

The Lee Gibson Quartet were my first port of call. Lee is an attractive singer, well able to handle the jazz standards she sang. She was more than ably supported by Robin Aspland on piano (in my view a greatly underrated player, who was excellent through the whole weekend), Andy Cleyndert on bass, and Bobby Worth on drums.

As I wanted to catch a young lady saxophonist in Marque 1 usually reserved for traditional jazz, I didn't stay for all of Lee's second set, but went to Marque 1 to see Amy Roberts Jazztet. I had seen her before, and thought for a 19 year old she was a bit special. Unfortunately although she was, I didn't enjoy 2 of her "tet", so moved on, which is one of the joys and abilities of a stroller ticket.

Back in Marque 2 due to an immigration intervention, the billed Aaron Weinstein was unable to attend, and in his place we were all lucky enough to have tenor man Don Weller, who was supported by Craig Milverton on piano, Simon Thorpe bass and Bobby Worth drums. He was also joined by Andy Panayi on tenor, and that session produced some wonderful, unrehearsed, straight ahead modern jazz. A wonderful bonus session. I wonder how many people noticed Dons boot laces, carefully coloured for port and starboard shoes!

After a brief pause for some sustenance, I went to the Molem Committee Room to see a young Scottish lady saxophonist, Jo Fooks. I had seen her once before in the late Humph's band, and she is a very accomplished player and writer of tunes. The room was very full, and isn't the nicest one for atmosphere, but I'm sure all who could get to see and hear her were really impressed. In her quartet she has the advantage of Dave Cliff on guitar, so it was a good time to catch him too, as he is another of my favourites.

The evening session (back in Marque 2) was Arnie Somogyi Scenes in the City. Now because I had taken a break for dinner, I only caught the second set by this group, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know some who were at the first set left as it wasn't to their taste, which just goes to show that one size doesn't fit all. As well as Arnie on bass, the set had Alan Barnes and Tony Kofi on saxes, Alister White on trombone, Mark Edwards piano and Enzo Zirilli on drums. Mingus type tunes, wonderful writing, and harmonies to die for. I thought it showed how good jazz in Britain can be.

Sunday

I started the days jazz listening to the Bournemouth Youth Orchestra. All youngsters being given the benefit of playing as a band before the public. One or two were really accomplished players, but for me it was the young Sinatra singer who was their star. The young man has a wonderful voice, and sense of style, and I do hope he carries on with the music, because he was GOOD.

Next up was the same band as Arnie's from the night before, but without the scores, and without the trombonist. Well done all, I particularly enjoyed Tony Kofi. Everyone had good extended solos, and there was an overall supportive rapport between all. It was also very encouraging that for at least one number, Alan Barnes needed the Theloneous Monk Fake book!

Following them was another tightly organised band, the Matt Wates Sextet. Not a lot of room (just about enough) for individual solo's, but carefully crafted arrangements and very tight playing. They have been around for many years now, and it shows. The regular band (Martin Shaw trumpet, Steve Kadestad tenor sax, Leon Greening piano, Julian Bury bass), were joined by Jamie Cullums drummer Sebastian de Krone (?spelling?). Some of the original material that Matt has produced is fast becoming standard in the repertoire of other modern jazz ensembles.

My final real listen this year was in the Marque 3. Initially I had gone for the walk to see on of my long time favourite saxophonist Tony Coe. He was to be part of the band backing singer Julie Dunn. However, due to ill health, he had opted out. I stayed on to be enthralled by the singing of Julie, and the piano playing of John Horler. I stayed for the entire performance, and was sad by the sessions end. It was a masterful example of singer entertainment. Right voice, right songs, and right links to the audience. And isn't John Horler good?

An arranged dinner with some of the many friends I now have at the Swanage Jazz Festival followed, at the end of which we walked to Marque 2 for our last set of the show. However, I just couldn't take to the singer, and left to take in a quiet Scotch whilst watching the sun go down on another excellent Swanage Jazz Festival.

Just a suggestion for the organisers. How about using Ray Gellato and His Giants for a finale next year, and how about presenting Vasilis Xenopoulos to Swanage Jazz's discerning audience. After yesterdays Ealing Jazz Festival Performance, he should be exposed to Swanage!!

One last comment. Thank you to all who organise this annual event. I have been coming since almost its inception, I have been removed from it for heart surgery, have returned to it days after my son died of cancer and before his funeral, and look forward to it every year in the knowledge that I will enjoy most of it, and meet many, many friends. So thank you Swanage Jazz for all your efforts.

Geoff C

Above is the Gig List for Century Jazz / The Clive Burton Quartet for both Hedsor and Fifield, covering the period of my tour of the West Country. I hope, whilst away, to cover the Swanage Jazz Festival, and maybe the Lyme Regis one as well (Mr. Burton IS playing at Lyme).

I also hope to do a survey of Dorset Pubs!! All in the advancement of science you understand!

Geoff C

It's been a while since I last did any CD recommendations, and I certainly haven't exhausted my Humph appreciation, so, by way of an apology for last night, I have set myself the task of remedying this situation.

But first up, I do again apologies for the need to cancel last nights Guitar Jazz gig. If any of you did actually travel to Hedsor, do please contact me and let me know who you are. One of the reasons for such a late cancellation was an exploding amplifier. Even then, three musicians were prepared to come and play, but they were going to bring with them a fourth, who to be honest, would have needed a larger fee than the preceding advertising would have given. He will come again, and I will let everyone know in good time who and when. It will be worth the wait. It would have been a great session last night, but to only have a musician of that stature play to a dozen or so would not have done the him justice. More of that in the Autumn.

Posted out to you all earlier was the gig list for the next 6 weeks. I will put it in the blog for all to see. Just to remind you, Thursday 19th the guest at Hedsor will me Mike Wills. Do come, he has some super arrangements for the band, and his appearance in last weeks session was very enjoyable indeed.

Humph CD's

When thinking of Humph and his music, we have to think of a wide rang of jazz styles, from Dixieland to Swing, to quote a concert title!

A good double album to hear that transition is one of Lake's wonderful re issues, catchily called "Bad Penny Blues". It is also a good value album (but more than 1p) as it is a double for the price of a single CD. It covers the period 1955 to 1956. It also contains some of the tracks that weren't included from the live album of Humph at the Festival Hall. Nearly all of them have Bruce Turner on them, although one was recorded in studio without him because he "got lost"! It has a lovely extended blues recorded in studio but before an invited audience (Blues Excursion) and covers the transition period, which can best be seen when the drummer changed from George Hopkinson in 1955 to Eddie Taylor in 1956. Sandwiched in the middle was a session with Stan Greig on drums. He later rejoined the band, and spent many years with them as the piano player! Anyway, go and find LAKE LACD238. And, yes, it does have "Bad Penny Blues" on it.

Going on one more year and we see Humph as an accompanying band to a singer more used to being backed by Count Basie. In 1957, for "A Night in Oxford Street" Humph and the band were joined by blues singer Jimmy Rushing. Bruce Turner had left the band by then to form his own "Jump Band" and the sax section (yes, now more than one sax) had Tony Coe and Jimmy Skidmore. Eddie Taylor was on Drums still, and Ian Armit on piano. Great stuff this from a blues shouter, with some real favorites, for me anyway, including "I Want a Little Girl", "Sent for You Yesterday", and Jimmy's own "Good Morning Blues". This one is on the Upbeat Label URCD186.



Well that's it for now folks,

Geoff C

A little light reminder that TONIGHT, Monday May 19th at The Hedsor Social Club we have another in our remarkable and entertaining guitar jazz nights from James Fenn and friends. Go on, add to his list of friends and come and listen to some great live jazz for the miserly sum of £5, that's right, just £5. No raffle, no further extortion BUT the added possibility of adding to your jazz cd collection for a very modest outlay. Don't be late for your Monday date, 8.30 pm start time.

THURSDAY at Hedsor we have another wonderful line up for you. Clive is gainfully employed elsewhere, and we have with us, John Rolls on tenor sax, John Coverdale on guitar, Zane Cronje on keyboard, Ken Rankine on bass, and Mike Jeffries on drums. All this for a minimum payment of £3. BUT we do give you the opportunity of adding a further contribution through our world renowned raffle!!

More later in the week, but for now..

TTFN

Geoff C

We have a few very interesting jazz events in the next few days, starting with tonight.

The Clive Burton Quintet are playing as usual at The Hedsor Social Club from 8.30 pm TONIGHT. You know, but I'll tell you anyway, that it costs £3 to get in and a raffle ticket to get out!!

Mike Wills and Clive are in good form, and the harmonies are ...harmonious!! Last week we had either too many raffle prizes OR too few in the audience. This week you must make it more difficult for us!! Honestly, we do need your support, and we could do with a few new faces (I know, I need a new one for me anyway!), so if you haven't told a friend about it all yet, then bring 'em along tonight. They MAY have read about it in the Bucks Free Press (See top of page). YOU could gain brownie points by personally inviting them along to our famous jazz club!

Sunday you could have a complete day out on Jazz!

Eddie Fowlers last gig in Thame for a while he advertises below:-

Ciao to Jazz - Sunday 18th May - closing Celebration Gig 2.30pm Jazz BrunchFree Entry - bring your Babes! 46 North StreetTHAME, OX9 3BH, +44 1844 260850Bar and Bites - Excellent Bread 'n Pizza- Food It's The Lisa Amato Quartet.
Piano Player is Simon Mulligan – He has also a fine Classical training so he plays a disciplined Jazz Piano.
Lisa failed – bless her humourous - to advise that it is an Afternoon gig so no excuse for saying that you have to work tomorrow – till much later in the day.

AND you can then go on, as also mentioned by Eddie to:-

For those who wish to carry on the party – Art Themen Tenor Sax is playing Bradenham - Red Lion Pub with Bobby Orr Trio at 7pm-9pm on the A4010 Risboro to West Wycombe Road

Now, I was told that coupled with Art Themen would be a well know tenor player at Hedsor, Vasilis Xenopoulos. I hope to make it, but do bear in mind that The Red Lion is a small pub and you will need to get there early.

AND THEN on Monday 19th (yes, NEXT MONDAY) another of our splendid Monday Dates at Hedsor with James Fenn and the same LISA AMATO. They will be bringing guests to play, so please come along and support them and me, I don't want to go to the poor house yet. (I guess if I did I'd probably meet Eddie Fowler there by then!).

Well that will do for now, I'm saving up some energy to write a bit more about favorite Humph CD's, but until I have,

TTFN

Geoff C

The Cheque Presentation

Geoff’s Jazz Nag Sunday 4th May

As promised, a more filled out Nag this week.

First up, don’t forget that on Tuesday 6th you have a real decision to make. Do you go and listen to Scott Hamilton and Lynn Garner at High Wycombe Town Hall, or do you go to The Bourne End Community Centre for one of Mo’s jazz nights? This week they have that British (Welsh?) saxophonist Al Nicholls with his trio. It’s a difficult call, but someone’s got to make it!!

On Thursday 8th at Hedsor, we have, almost guesting there, Clive Burton joining his group this week. Clive has had a number of well rewarded gigs just lately so that he has had to relinquish his place at Hedsor (well, he does have to eat) and he has had his placed filled by a number of star players, but his week, we welcome him back. So come and listen to some of the new arrangements that Mike Wills has for the band. Usual start time 8.30 pm. Usual costs too. We are so cheap!!

Harking back to last Thursday I finally presented the cheque for £1000, the profit from our Dixieland to Swing Concert, to John Pell from Cancer Research UK. The photo is on the Blog (as is any other artwork referenced here).

You may recall that our guest last week was saxophonist Duncan Lamont. Well, I’ve nicked a bit from his website about him:-

Duncan's CV

Born in Greenock, Scotland. Played trumpet with Kenny Graham’s Afro Cubists changed to tenor sax became a jazz studio player. Played with almost everyone in show business. He has worked (often as a featured soloist) with Henry Mancini, Robert Farnon, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Bill Holman, Nelson Riddle, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Count Basie, Fred Astaire, Benny Carter, Mel Torme, Paul McCartney…the list is endless.

Well, he has now played twice with our local team, and really does want to be invited back again!

His approach this time was pretty avant guard, but everyone playing with him showed that they could keep up with his changes in key, time, and structure. For some in the audience maybe not enough of the melody came through, but for the majority it was a riveting experience. And yes, it is him in the photo holding me up! The other gent is John Pell, collecting the cheque on behalf of CRUK.

Humph

I didn’t really do justice to the passing of Humph last week. Much has been said about him this last week on the radio and some on TV. However, for most of my lifetime he has been the guiding figure, either there in front of me, playing the trumpet (as I once tried to do) at the 100 Club, or on LP (I spent my first weeks wages as an apprentice on “Delving Back with Humph”), or for over 40 years as an educator through his Monday Evening “Best of Jazz” programmes. The extension to my love of jazz, and an understanding of who played what, came largely through his Monday program. It was also a place of solace at the start of another week in engineering!

Over the years I have collected a large number of Humph CD’s. He “introduced” me to Bruce Turner, and Tony Coe, both very influential British saxophonists, both with distinctive sounds of there own.

I had the please of meeting him, and members of the orchestra, many times over my lifetime. I’ll never forget the first time I heard the band live, it was at The Pavilion on Southsea pier. I must have been all of 14 at the time. I managed to get Bruce Turner and Wally Fawkes to autograph the program after the event. An evening of sheer magic and wonder. The memory lingers on, I’m not so sure of that program though!

In later years I met both Humph and Bruce at Brecon. Sadly they are now both gone.

Tony Coe, happily still with us, I remember seeing and talking with at Maidenheads Bell pub. It was the first jazz event I went to having moved out of London to Cookham. And there at The Bell, were Tony Coe and John Pickard, another one time trombone player with Humph’s band. The Quartet they were playing with was led by Vibs player Lennie Best. Lennie’s son Tim sometimes plays piano for us at Hedsor, it’s a circular world!

So, what would I recommend anyone listening to now on CD from my Humph collection?

Without doubt, one I would take to my Desert Island is “Humph at The Conway”. I have 2 LP’s of this ( I wore one out )and the CD too. Recorded live at The Conway Hall in September 1954 it contains “the” Island track, “St James Infirmary Blues” A feature for Bruce Turner. On the Calligraph Records reissue The Conway Hall Concert is coupled with another famous concert. In November 1954 he played a concert at The Royal Festival Hall (his band played the first jazz concert there in1951 too), which was recorded, and I have the 10”LP of that one too. I can even remember reading the newspaper review of it as well. It was significant in being one of the first outings with that trombone player, John Pickard. The track to listen to on that is “Basin Street Blues”. The CD number is CLG CD 038

Humph returned to the Conway Hall in 1960 with a different more modern sound. It was to my mind his best band. John Pickard, and Tony Coe I have already mention, now add in Jimmy Skidmore, Joe Temperley, Ian Armit, Pete Blannin and Eddie Taylor and you have one of the best British bands ever. There are some wonderful arrangements, including “Love For Sale” (last Thursdays finale) and Blue Lou. This one’s on Lake Records LACD202.

Of course so far I haven’t mention his recordings with Buck Clayton, or Buddy Tate, or his later work, that will be another day.

Now, the only way to here Humph again is by buying the records. Catch live jazz whilst you can, because no one lives forever.

Without doubt, we are all going to miss Humph, and I haven’t even mentioned his comedy!

TTFN

Geoff C

Duncan Lamont

Humph with Mick Mulligans wife

Jimmy Giuffre


Tonight at The Hedsor Social Club we have as our star guest British saxophone legend DUNCAN LAMONT. This will be his second visit to Hedsor as he enjoyed his first so much.

We who only listened also enjoyed his unique playing style on his first visit, and I am looking forward to tonight with eager anticipation! Why not come and listen too? Entry is a token £3, and we run a raffle at half time to defray our deficit!

Even legends don't live forever, not only did we loose Humph in the last week, but Jimmy Giuffre also passed away, again at the age of 86.

I'll try and write a more fulfilling page in the next few days, but in the meantime, enjoy the jazz and the bank holiday weekend.

Geoff C

You will find above our advert for a return visit next Thursday, May 1st , by British sax legend Duncan Lamont.

Duncan is coming to play alongside our regular reedman Mike Wills for another special evening of quality jazz at The Hedsor Social Club. It starts at our usual start time of 8.30 pm, and admission is still a bankrupting £3. So why not come out and enjoy the music and the special atmosphere of Jazz at Hedsor.

I've been asked to mention another special event that involves local trad heroes, Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters. "They are playing a number of local gigs around the Porthcurno area in Cornwall but the highlight should be the performance at the Minark Theatre on Sat 10 May evening weather permitting. It is an open-air amphitheatre on the edge of the cliffs - truly exceptional venue you will agree if you search/look on the net for 'Minark Theatre'. Normally they put on Shakespeare plays , Gilbert and Sullivan and the like as well as standard classical concerts by 30 / 40 piece orchestras. This is the first time hey have attempted jazz I think , so it's a bit of a try out you could say." For more details you could do worse than ringing the Shirtlifters titular head, Charles Benson on 01628 472163.

Do read last weeks nag again about other very forthcoming jazz events slightly nearer to home than Cornwall.

BUT, the place to hear jazz locally is still The Hedsor Social Club! Now a favourite riff for all who come on a regular basis

"That was a Gig That Was"

And that was the email heading from Lisa Amato, telling me what a good time she had had playing at Hedsor on Monday last. And she was absolutely right. What a gig!

The Monday guitar night gigs have always been very pleasant affairs, great music, with just a handful of audience.

Last night was very different.

First off, an email form Lisa, telling me that the long booked Pete Billington was NOT going to be able to make the gig.

BUT, at the last minute she had managed to persuade British piano legend John Critcheson to come out instead. John hadn't been to Hedsor before, hadn't played with any of the other players before, and had never heard of James Fenn. Well, he has now. The combined talents of John, James, Lisa, Vasilis and Nick Marangoni produced an evening of magical jazz that, I for one, will never ever forget. Swing, sting (in some of the incredible harmonies concocted by James and Vasilis on the hoof), humour, and joy were all in there. And to a nearly full house, with new friends who had seen the posters!!They will all come again too.

I know John enjoyed himself immensely. And the audience had a wall to wall grin all evening. It more than made my day! I think it's made my year (my 70th on this planet).

The next jazz Monday is May 19th. I'll let you know the details of exactly who, but do expect many of the same to appear again. And all for your £5. That's right, just £5!

Coming more down to earth, we do have another session from our house quintet this week on Thursday. So to come out and support the live jazz music that we put on Every Thursday at The Hedsor Social Club.

Another Stella date for your diary, on Thursday May 1st, we have another visit from another British jazz legend, Duncan Lamont. He will join our regular reed corner man, Mike Wills for a tenor duo night. What more do you jazz fans want for your money? We don't do gladiators. So put it in your diary, and pay us a £3 visit.

Don't forget that coming up soon at other venues we have:

Saturday 26th April Martin Hart with Alan Barnes at The Woodley Theatre. A few tickets are still available. ring their box office on 0118 9690827. Price is £8.50

And on May 6th, Lynn Garner appears at The Wycombe Swan with American saxophone star Scott Hamilton.

That's it for now, I hope to see you soon at a gig near me!!

Geoff C

Vasilis

Hi Jazz Lovers,

Don't forget (and you may be late) that we have another magnificent Monday evening of guitar led jazz for you at THE HEDSOR SOCIAL CLUB tonight from 8.30pm.

All these star players will be yours (for an hour or two) tonight:-

James Fenn guitar
Lisa Amato bass guitar
Nick Marangoni drums
Pete Billington keyboard
Vasilis Xenopoulos saxophone

and all for a £5 entry.

PLUS there will also be previously owned CD's for sale at less than the entry fee each!

Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would nag you again, to remind you that at Hedsor this Thursday we have a session NOT led by Clive Burton, BUT with such luminaries as John Rolls on sax, Tim Best on keyboard, Elliot Toms on drums, and the link to our regular band will be Ken Rankine on the bass. I still think there will be another instrumentalist there as well, but that could just be a tease!! The usual start time of 8.30 pm applies, as does the entry fee of £3 and a mandatory raffle ticket.

On MONDAY 21st, yet another super session that I have been trying to organise for a while. Some of you May like to come and join me in listening to guitarist James Fenn, with Vasilis Xenopoulos on saxophone,and piano player Pete Billington . Lisa Amato will be adding considerable visual attraction to the event (as well as playing very good bass), and we hope to have Nick Marangoni on drums as well. AND you only have to pay £5. That's it, only £5. We at least are trying to control the current world economic crisis. On the 22nd, if not enough of you turn up, you can come and help me control MY financial crisis!!

Sessions continue on Sundays at The Fifield Inn, 8pm, usually led by Century Jazz.

On Saturday 26th, there will be a Jazz Program at The Woodley Theatre, led by Martin Hart:-
Jazz at the Oakwood:
Alan Barnes
acclaimed sax star, backed by
The Martin Hart Trio
and featuring
Ken McCarthy - Piano

Saturday 26 April 2008
All tickets £8.50 from the Box Office 0118 9690827
And on Sunday 24th May Alan Barnes is playing St Mary's Church Wendover at 7.45. Ring 01296 696204 for tickets and more info.

Recent CD Listen
I don't know about you, but I sometimes feel that CD's are too long! Yes, I know that you do need value for money and £12 to £15 is a lot of cakes, but the old LP did give you fairly convenient 20 minutes bite size listens. For me, this usually means that I rarely listen to a complete CD all the way through at any one session. BUT, one CD did catch me this week.
OK,so it was a lady singer (anathema to some of you), and she has got a slightly strange name. BUT she was born in Rochdale, and brought up in Stockport! She also has a very individual style, often likened to Nina Simon. Who am I blathering on about? Barb Jungr.
I started listening to her 2006 CD on Linn Records called "Walking in the Sun". 54 minutes and 42 seconds later, I stopped, because I had listened all the way through. Totally enthralling stuff. Full of passion and real soul. To some, it might not be considered jazz, if that is so, I wont apologise. Just get a listen to it and tell me you haven't had a musical experience.Titles include "Walking to Memphis", "Blind Willie McTell", "Many Rivers to Cross" and of course the album title song. Its superbly recorded,and its on Lynn Records AKD 283.
That's it for now folks, see you Thursday, or Sunday or Monday or.....but do turn out, or the music will stop!

Geoff C

Just a few items of interest.

Last nights Hedsor session with the addition of Duncan Lamont was an absolute delight. It was apparent that the home team raised their game with such an illustrious guest with us, and it was obvious that Duncan enjoyed playing at Hedsor (but then most musicians do). I'm confident that he will come back.

Most of the gigs at Hedsor and Fifield in the next few weeks will have our regular quintet, with Mike Wills now playing for us regularly. There are a few occasions when he will be missing, and one occasion when the whole band will disappear.

At Fifield this Sunday (6th) the guest will be guitarist Max Britain.

On Sunday 13th April at Fifield the guest will be saxophonist Peter Cook.

On Thursday 17th at Hedsor the regular band will be replaced by John Rolls on saxophone, Tim Best on keyboard, Elliot Toms will be on drums, and the link to our regular band will be Ken Rankine on the bass. We are trying hard at the moment to entice another well known jazz musician to come and play as well, more on that later.

On MONDAY 21st we have a very special jazz guitar night. I have attached a file with a poster so you can all help in it's advertising. We are going to combine the talents of guitarist James Fenn, with not only Vasilis Xenopoulos on saxophone, but piano player Pete Billington as well. Lisa Amato will be adding considerable visual attraction to the event (as well as playing very good bass), and we hope to have Nick Marangoni on drums as well.

All that for fiver.

More info when I have it. Keep turning out and we will have to keep running live jazz. Stay at home, and so will all the musicians!!

TTFN

Geoff C

During last Fridays Concert I managed to take some photographs of the artists at play. I thought I would share some with you!

So far, we have raised, and will be able to donate to Cancer Research UK as a direct result of this event, over £900

A well done to everyone involved.

On Thursday THIS WEEK, we have a special guest joining The Clive Burton Quintet at The Hedsor Social Club. Sax legend DUNCAN LAMONT will be joining the front line.

Read more about this fabulous player at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1773

A JPEG of the poster for this event is included in the artwork above, please print off a copy and display it where more people can see it.

And you thought you could rest after our concert!!

Geoff C