Hi Again,
Zane has emailed in to say that the date for his gig "with Friends" at The Bourne End Community Centre is April 7th, not 6th! I should have looked in my diary, AS SHOULD THE PERSON WHO DID THE FLYER'S FOR THE GIG, 'cause they have got the date WRONG.
So Tuesday April 7th for Zane, who numbers amongst his friends:
Liz Cooper (Vocals),Terry Parsons (Drums, albeit, skeletal!),John Coverdale (Guitar), and Steve Riddle (Bass). Zane, is of course, on Keyboard!
It should be a lovely set, so get the right date in your diary now, and tell someone at Bourne End that the flyers are RONG!!
TTFN
Geoff
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I really don’t know where the time goes, but it does, so I MUST be enjoying myself!!
But, to keep you abreast of the local jazz enjoyments, let me first of all bring in “The Commercials”.
This Thursday March 26th, we welcome back to Hedsor our regular reed section, Mike Wills. His recent absence has been covered by, and all who were with us last Thursday will have appreciated the trumpet of, Stuart Henderson. His solo number, a Bernstein tune that he played on flugelhorn, was stunningly beautiful.
With Mike with us again, we can look forward to the wonderful mix of harmonies that his arrangements for the Clive Burton Quintet bring to Hedsor. The usual cost arrangements also apply! Start time is 8.30 pm, entrance a mere £5.
Looking ahead for Hedsor, we have a return visit of saxophonist Al Nicholls on April 2nd
and at Hedsor in May we have our annual Cancer Fundraising concert. Thursday May 14th. Tickets, available now from me at £10.
Ahead, but at different venues:-
On Tuesday April 6th at the Bourne End Community Centre bar we have an evening with Zane Cronje and Friends. Entry for this is £5, and includes a light supper.
In the same building on Saturday April 18th we have a little more substantial food, and Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters. This is Mo’s annual Jazz Supper, and tickets for that are available from the Centre Office at £10 each.
Also in April Cookhams Festival of the Arts commences, and for a Jazz Audience we have persuaded Vasilis Xenopoulos to bring his own band out of London for a very special Sunday Evening event. On the 26th April there is a Café style evening of Modern Jazz with bar, bring your own food, tickets £8. At present these tickets can also be obtained from me.
Looking at the above does make me realise somewhat why time flies. There are a lot of wonderful things to organise and be entertained by!
Last Thursday I had the opportunity of being a guest on Dave Self’s jazz radio program. Based at Readings Thames Valley University studios, a regular weekly jazz program is broadcast (and webcast) by Dave from 1 til 2 pm each Thursday (Blast 1386, http://www.blast1386.com/). My visit was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and one I hope to it repeat from time to time. Do try and tune it at some time in the future, and spread the word about another person trying very hard to spread the word about live jazz. He is one of the organisers of the Marlborough Jazz festival too. My only problem with that is that it is on at the same time as the Swanage Jazz Festival (July 10th, 11th, and 12th ), to which I am always committed.
So with that busy look back, did I have time to listen to any CD’s this last week?
Well, Yes!
A CD called “Jubilation” on Arbors Records ARCD 19369 caught my attention this week. Featuring Warren Vache on trumpet, and John Aldred on trombone, this was recorded “Live” (yes, I am waiting for the first recorded dead performance by anyone) in Marians Jazzroom in Berne Switzerland. This is another wonderful mainstream come swing CD. Tunes include standards like “Old Devil Moon”, and “Caravan” (just to please Mr. Rankine!), but also a couple of Horace Silver tunes (“Song for My Father”, and “Strollin’ ”). This makes it a great listen, and it’s very well recorded (as Arbours Jazz Records always are). The two featured artists are accompanied by a trio. Tardo Hammer on Piano, Nicki Parrott bass and Leroy Williams drums. All recorded in December 2007.
The other CD is of a much older vintage. Upbeat Jazz URCD223 are rescued recordings from Humphrey Lyttleton’s 1953 to 56 period. Mostly never before released (although other recordings of the tunes were) these are performances that were basically private, and not belonging to a record label. It is a well recommended CD, especially for Humph fans, containing great music that spanned the transformation from a revivalist band to a swing band. There are some great performances here from John Picard on trombone, Tony Coe, and Bruce Turner on saxophones various and of course form the leader himself. Considering some of the tracks have been transferred from acetates, the recording quality is very good. Mono of course, but worth seeking out.
That’s it for now, don’t forget to put the dates in your diary, and to go shopping for tickets and CD’s!!
But, to keep you abreast of the local jazz enjoyments, let me first of all bring in “The Commercials”.
This Thursday March 26th, we welcome back to Hedsor our regular reed section, Mike Wills. His recent absence has been covered by, and all who were with us last Thursday will have appreciated the trumpet of, Stuart Henderson. His solo number, a Bernstein tune that he played on flugelhorn, was stunningly beautiful.
With Mike with us again, we can look forward to the wonderful mix of harmonies that his arrangements for the Clive Burton Quintet bring to Hedsor. The usual cost arrangements also apply! Start time is 8.30 pm, entrance a mere £5.
Looking ahead for Hedsor, we have a return visit of saxophonist Al Nicholls on April 2nd
and at Hedsor in May we have our annual Cancer Fundraising concert. Thursday May 14th. Tickets, available now from me at £10.
Ahead, but at different venues:-
On Tuesday April 6th at the Bourne End Community Centre bar we have an evening with Zane Cronje and Friends. Entry for this is £5, and includes a light supper.
In the same building on Saturday April 18th we have a little more substantial food, and Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters. This is Mo’s annual Jazz Supper, and tickets for that are available from the Centre Office at £10 each.
Also in April Cookhams Festival of the Arts commences, and for a Jazz Audience we have persuaded Vasilis Xenopoulos to bring his own band out of London for a very special Sunday Evening event. On the 26th April there is a Café style evening of Modern Jazz with bar, bring your own food, tickets £8. At present these tickets can also be obtained from me.
Looking at the above does make me realise somewhat why time flies. There are a lot of wonderful things to organise and be entertained by!
Last Thursday I had the opportunity of being a guest on Dave Self’s jazz radio program. Based at Readings Thames Valley University studios, a regular weekly jazz program is broadcast (and webcast) by Dave from 1 til 2 pm each Thursday (Blast 1386, http://www.blast1386.com/). My visit was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and one I hope to it repeat from time to time. Do try and tune it at some time in the future, and spread the word about another person trying very hard to spread the word about live jazz. He is one of the organisers of the Marlborough Jazz festival too. My only problem with that is that it is on at the same time as the Swanage Jazz Festival (July 10th, 11th, and 12th ), to which I am always committed.
So with that busy look back, did I have time to listen to any CD’s this last week?
Well, Yes!
A CD called “Jubilation” on Arbors Records ARCD 19369 caught my attention this week. Featuring Warren Vache on trumpet, and John Aldred on trombone, this was recorded “Live” (yes, I am waiting for the first recorded dead performance by anyone) in Marians Jazzroom in Berne Switzerland. This is another wonderful mainstream come swing CD. Tunes include standards like “Old Devil Moon”, and “Caravan” (just to please Mr. Rankine!), but also a couple of Horace Silver tunes (“Song for My Father”, and “Strollin’ ”). This makes it a great listen, and it’s very well recorded (as Arbours Jazz Records always are). The two featured artists are accompanied by a trio. Tardo Hammer on Piano, Nicki Parrott bass and Leroy Williams drums. All recorded in December 2007.
The other CD is of a much older vintage. Upbeat Jazz URCD223 are rescued recordings from Humphrey Lyttleton’s 1953 to 56 period. Mostly never before released (although other recordings of the tunes were) these are performances that were basically private, and not belonging to a record label. It is a well recommended CD, especially for Humph fans, containing great music that spanned the transformation from a revivalist band to a swing band. There are some great performances here from John Picard on trombone, Tony Coe, and Bruce Turner on saxophones various and of course form the leader himself. Considering some of the tracks have been transferred from acetates, the recording quality is very good. Mono of course, but worth seeking out.
That’s it for now, don’t forget to put the dates in your diary, and to go shopping for tickets and CD’s!!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Time for a little light nagging
But only a little!
Tonight at Hedsor we have the regular Clive Burton Quintet. That makes it two weeks running!
I know we don’t really appreciate our regular band, and often look for the star guests, BUT our regular band are just as much stars as any guest could be. We see them often, and if not contempt, familiarity does seem to breed less heightened expectations. But anyone who was there last week, and heard the wonderful harmonies produced by the band must realise that they are a really special and talented bunch. And Mike Wills solo on the first number was blistering, absolutely!
We all too often take them, and our ability to hear them, for granted. I used to live in Hammersmith, and in the days of touring American musicians, I could walk to the Odeon (as it was then), and could hear them all. One weekend it was lovely and sunny, and therefore I couldn’t be bothered to go. I could do it again some other time. Unfortunately for me, Louis Armstrong didn’t go there again, and I missed out. I had taken too much for granted.
So, take advantage of the jazz events we put on at Hedsor. Don’t take the talent and experience there every week for granted. Like Woolworths, when its gone, its gone!
Next week, we do, however, have a guest. As Mike is elsewhere, we have a return visit of trumpet man Stuart Henderson. An all brass front line playing bop, put it in your diary “must do” list and come out!
Coming Soon. The Cookham Festival Jazz Concert, will have the complete Vasilis Xenopoulos Band playing Cookhams Pinder Hall. The date is SUNDAY 26th April. Tickets £8 each from The Stationary Depot in Cookham (01628 531178).
The Stationary Depot will also be doing the ticket sales for our next Jazz for Cancer Concert. May 14th at Hedsor (yes, it’s a Thursday). We will be in the big room, with lots of guests and a finger buffet, all for £10. Do support this event, all the profit goes to Cancer Research UK, most of us have been touched by this illness at some point.
CD Review Time
But only a little!
Tonight at Hedsor we have the regular Clive Burton Quintet. That makes it two weeks running!
I know we don’t really appreciate our regular band, and often look for the star guests, BUT our regular band are just as much stars as any guest could be. We see them often, and if not contempt, familiarity does seem to breed less heightened expectations. But anyone who was there last week, and heard the wonderful harmonies produced by the band must realise that they are a really special and talented bunch. And Mike Wills solo on the first number was blistering, absolutely!
We all too often take them, and our ability to hear them, for granted. I used to live in Hammersmith, and in the days of touring American musicians, I could walk to the Odeon (as it was then), and could hear them all. One weekend it was lovely and sunny, and therefore I couldn’t be bothered to go. I could do it again some other time. Unfortunately for me, Louis Armstrong didn’t go there again, and I missed out. I had taken too much for granted.
So, take advantage of the jazz events we put on at Hedsor. Don’t take the talent and experience there every week for granted. Like Woolworths, when its gone, its gone!
Next week, we do, however, have a guest. As Mike is elsewhere, we have a return visit of trumpet man Stuart Henderson. An all brass front line playing bop, put it in your diary “must do” list and come out!
Coming Soon. The Cookham Festival Jazz Concert, will have the complete Vasilis Xenopoulos Band playing Cookhams Pinder Hall. The date is SUNDAY 26th April. Tickets £8 each from The Stationary Depot in Cookham (01628 531178).
The Stationary Depot will also be doing the ticket sales for our next Jazz for Cancer Concert. May 14th at Hedsor (yes, it’s a Thursday). We will be in the big room, with lots of guests and a finger buffet, all for £10. Do support this event, all the profit goes to Cancer Research UK, most of us have been touched by this illness at some point.
CD Review Time
In line with my thinking about our Hedsor Quintet I listened this week to a truly wonderful release from EMI’s Blue Note catalogue.
“Sharp Shades and Fingersnaps” is a compilation of tracks on 2 CD’s from Blue Note releases of the 60’s. The tunes are largely familiar to us from our Thursday sessions. Horace Silver’s “Sister Sadie”, Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and 17 other tracks are all here, in wonderfully clean sound.
An added bonus for me are the excellent sleeve notes, complete with small reproductions of the original album covers. It came out a couple of years ago, but should still be available. “Music from EMI 00946-355221-2-9” is the number. Yes, I know, you’d think they had given you the combination to their safe wouldn’t you!
Another great oldie that I had missed first time round is “Jazz Giants 58”, a reissue of an LP, with Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Harry Edison, Louis Belson, PLUS Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, and Ray Brown. All true alumni. The ballade medley alone is worth the purchase. Released last year, “Verve 0602517621329”. No that isn’t my telephone number, but it is close!! It has many of the same numbers.
That’s it for now folks
TTFN
Geoff C
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Just a brief reminder that this week we have two of jazz’s regular local events.
Tuesday 3rd March at The Bourne End Community Centre Bar, Mo is putting on “The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band”! I have no idea what or who they are, but the BECC jazz events are usually good fun, and good value at £6 (I think) which includes a raffle ticket and half time refreshments. It all kicks off at
At Hedsor this week we welcome back our regular saxophone section Mr Mike Wills. He has been missing for the last two weeks, but Vasilis X with Peter Cook and then John Coverdale alongside Clive did a magnificent job of helping us to forgive his absence. So, this Thursday 5th March, the regular Clive Burton Quintet will again be bringing us the harmonies and arrangements we have come to expect of from the best regular band in the area. All for a mean £5, which includes a raffle ticket.
Hedsor Jazz’s raffle Prizes are legendary. This week I won 30 black rubbish sacks, clean and unused!! Where else can such trophies be won?
I haven’t blogged for some time. Life’s pressures seemed to get in the way. Which meant I haven’t had time to listen to too much recorded jazz either.
BUT, here are two for your collection.
Johnny Varro Swing 7 “Ring Dem Bells” on Arbours ARCD 19362 probably wouldn’t get you grabbing for your wallet if you saw it in the racks. But it is great small group swing none the less. The leader may not be a familiar name, but some of his (magnificent?) 7 are! Randy Sandke trumpet, Dan Barrett trombone, Scott Robinson tenor sax, Ken Peplowski alto sax and clarinet, Frank Tate bass and Joe Ascione drums should at least make you hesitate before you pass the CD bye. Mr Verro himself is the arranger and pianist. The tunes straddle the swing eraand include “Corner Pocket”, “Stompy Jones”, and “Come Sunday”. But some of the tunes like “Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble”, “Buddy Bolden’s Blues”, and the title tune may lead you to think it’s a trad band. Do not confuse trad with the traditional, and they genuinely do swing like (the bells) clappers. Great recording quality (Arbours Jazz always are), so, a recommended buy.
“Love Walked In” on Zepher Records ZECD 33 is a British release with only 4 players, but some of my favorite musicians are in that four. Tony Coe, Brian Lemon, Dave Green and Gerard Presencer are a quality small group. This album was recorded in 2001. Sadly Brian Lemon is now no longer able to play due to arthritis in his hands, but this and all of the recordings he made on the (Lemon Coloured) Zephyr Record label are great reminders of what a melodic jazz pianist he was. I saw him perform first many years ago at a Brecon Jazz Festival Concert (in the Town Hall) where one of the audience described him to me as “the thinking mans jazz pianist”. The tunes on this album are all by Gershwin, and include alternative takes, which is always interesting to here, especially when you consider the ability of the performers. “They Cant Take That Away From Me”, and “How Long Has This Been Going On”, both being given the take 2 treatment. It’s a lovely CD, and I only hope we can persuade Tony Coe to come and perform for us at Hedsor one day soon.
Well, that’s it from me, do keep keeping live jazz alive, but if you can’t, do buy the CD’s!!
TTFN
Geoff C
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Photos from the fabulous evening of Winter Ineluctability.
John Slater is the trumpet man with Cookham's fabulous Shirtlifters (see my previous report on the recent evening of Winter Inecluctability). He is also a photographer. Sometimes he manages to contrive to do both at the same time. He has just shared with me some of the shots he took on the night of ineluctability. As may be seen, some of us were more "unmissable" than others!!
Don't forget, Jazz tomorrow night at The Hedsor Social Club. WE are always unmissable!
Geoff C
Friday, February 06, 2009
Hedsor in the Snow
Just a brief note to say "thank you" to all who turned out for Hedsor last night. At one point we thought it might have to be cancelled due to the little local difficulties (Chesham is cut off!), but in the end it was all worthwhile.
Not only did 20 or so come along, but we had a great musical session, with Mike Wills being in exceptional form. He just keeps on getting better and better. If he goes on like this, we will be forced to PAY HIM!!
And next week, when I'm sure we will all be basking in some more global warming, we have more of the same!!
TTFN
Geoff C
Just a brief note to say "thank you" to all who turned out for Hedsor last night. At one point we thought it might have to be cancelled due to the little local difficulties (Chesham is cut off!), but in the end it was all worthwhile.
Not only did 20 or so come along, but we had a great musical session, with Mike Wills being in exceptional form. He just keeps on getting better and better. If he goes on like this, we will be forced to PAY HIM!!
And next week, when I'm sure we will all be basking in some more global warming, we have more of the same!!TTFN
Geoff C
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Hi Folks,
Just a short nag:-
TONIGHTS SESSION IS ON
If you are able, don’t forget that tonight at The Hedsor Social Club we have Clive Burton and his Original Quintet!! 8.30 pm start (as always), £5 to get in, including a unique raffle, and club bar prices.
To those who have never been, (and there are still some amongst you!), why not give it a try. We offer excellent jazz every week, and with it we offer a level of friendship which, I think, is worth mentioning. Don’t feel scared of walking through the door, we intend to make a friend of you before you go home.
CD Review
The Stuart Henderson CD mentioned last week can be sampled via his web site www.myspace.com/stuarthendersontrumpet
I have played 3 or 4 tracks from the CD, and it obviously represents all the genre of music he can play. It tends to ere on the side of post bop modern, funky. For me, it’s a sound I like. On one track a lady singer (YB Pilgrim?!) competes with Billy Holiday to sing “God Bless The Child”, which I don’t think comes off but do have a listen yourself on the myspace site linked above.
Having listened to him last week with Simon Spillett, it would be great to have a recording of Stuart playing Modern Jazz (Bop) in the manner he played for us at Hedsor. I really think Stuart is a trumpet “find”, and as good as any modern jazz trumpet I have ever heard.
Humphrey Lyttelton
Whilst trying to find some information about pianist Mick Pyne, I chanced on the new website for Humph http://www.humphreylyttelton.com/ . This now gives you the ability to download all of the Calligraph recordings of the Lyttelton band, including the last 2 he made (Cornucopia, and Cornucopia 2). I heard the band represented by these recordings shortly before his death, and I will say that they are much better than I had perhaps feared. It’s a superb band, and Humph’s own playing is more limited than in his prime, but not so hesitant as to make you feel awkward about it (as his live performance did). You can sample before you buy, and I downloaded the 2 above via Amazon MP3. They are worth having, especially if, like me, you had all of his others as well.
Well, as they say in the cartoons, That’s it for now folks
TTFN
Just a short nag:-
TONIGHTS SESSION IS ON
If you are able, don’t forget that tonight at The Hedsor Social Club we have Clive Burton and his Original Quintet!! 8.30 pm start (as always), £5 to get in, including a unique raffle, and club bar prices.
To those who have never been, (and there are still some amongst you!), why not give it a try. We offer excellent jazz every week, and with it we offer a level of friendship which, I think, is worth mentioning. Don’t feel scared of walking through the door, we intend to make a friend of you before you go home.
CD Review
The Stuart Henderson CD mentioned last week can be sampled via his web site www.myspace.com/stuarthendersontrumpet
I have played 3 or 4 tracks from the CD, and it obviously represents all the genre of music he can play. It tends to ere on the side of post bop modern, funky. For me, it’s a sound I like. On one track a lady singer (YB Pilgrim?!) competes with Billy Holiday to sing “God Bless The Child”, which I don’t think comes off but do have a listen yourself on the myspace site linked above.
Having listened to him last week with Simon Spillett, it would be great to have a recording of Stuart playing Modern Jazz (Bop) in the manner he played for us at Hedsor. I really think Stuart is a trumpet “find”, and as good as any modern jazz trumpet I have ever heard.
Humphrey Lyttelton
Whilst trying to find some information about pianist Mick Pyne, I chanced on the new website for Humph http://www.humphreylyttelton.com/ . This now gives you the ability to download all of the Calligraph recordings of the Lyttelton band, including the last 2 he made (Cornucopia, and Cornucopia 2). I heard the band represented by these recordings shortly before his death, and I will say that they are much better than I had perhaps feared. It’s a superb band, and Humph’s own playing is more limited than in his prime, but not so hesitant as to make you feel awkward about it (as his live performance did). You can sample before you buy, and I downloaded the 2 above via Amazon MP3. They are worth having, especially if, like me, you had all of his others as well.
Well, as they say in the cartoons, That’s it for now folks
TTFN
Friday, January 30, 2009
A Great Night Out
Last night at Hedsor, we had one of those great evenings. We filled the bar with people, and they had all come to listen to a couple of musicians who had never played together before.
Simon Spillett we have enjoyed many times at Hedsor, the last time for our Christmas Party. Reading based trumpet player Stuart Henderson had been once before.
Bringing them together for the first time caused one of those jazz reactions akin to a school chemistry experiment. Yes, ignition and explosion. One of our regular attendees actually exclaimed, “How can those 2 play an unaccompanied duet like that when they have never met before”! I think the answer is that they are both individually superb musicians, and together they worked that old jazz magic you always hope to experience, but don’t always get.
Last night at Hedsor, we had one of those great evenings. We filled the bar with people, and they had all come to listen to a couple of musicians who had never played together before.
Simon Spillett we have enjoyed many times at Hedsor, the last time for our Christmas Party. Reading based trumpet player Stuart Henderson had been once before.
Bringing them together for the first time caused one of those jazz reactions akin to a school chemistry experiment. Yes, ignition and explosion. One of our regular attendees actually exclaimed, “How can those 2 play an unaccompanied duet like that when they have never met before”! I think the answer is that they are both individually superb musicians, and together they worked that old jazz magic you always hope to experience, but don’t always get.
Another (newcomer) to our Hedsor Experience said “This just shows the advantage of the live jazz experience over the recording”. Which is what I have been trying to say for years!
I wont just go on and on about the two at the front, because our regular rhythm section of Zane Cronje, Ken Rankine and Martin Hart all played extraordinarily well too. It is a fact, that the chemical reaction will excite all the particles!
You weren’t there? That warm sofa grabbed you? Shame! I’m sorry you missed it. Our gain was your loss.
The next local live jazz is on Tuesday at The Bourne End Community Centre. I don’t know if the evening will explode, and neither do you. BUT, it might, and if the sofa wins you again, that will be another excitement missed wont it?
I wont just go on and on about the two at the front, because our regular rhythm section of Zane Cronje, Ken Rankine and Martin Hart all played extraordinarily well too. It is a fact, that the chemical reaction will excite all the particles!
You weren’t there? That warm sofa grabbed you? Shame! I’m sorry you missed it. Our gain was your loss.
The next local live jazz is on Tuesday at The Bourne End Community Centre. I don’t know if the evening will explode, and neither do you. BUT, it might, and if the sofa wins you again, that will be another excitement missed wont it?
Simon Spillett has 2 CD’s out on the Woodville label. “Introducing Simon Spillett”, and “Sienna Red”.
Stuart Henderson has one on his own label, “Standard Lamp”. I have yet to play it, and will let you know in a later blog what its like. Looking at the sleeve, I can see that there are 2 other players on it who have played Hedsor before, both Tim Best and Peter Billington have played keyboard for us at different times. Stuart also has a “my space” address:
www.myspace.com/stuarthendersontrumpet
Enjoy, and help to keep live jazz alive, become an audience!
Geoff C
www.myspace.com/stuarthendersontrumpet
Enjoy, and help to keep live jazz alive, become an audience!
Geoff C
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hi Folks.
I need to clarify who is playing at Bourne End on Tuesday 3rd February
The flyer handed to me says it is “Lea Lyle with The Clive Burton Quartet.”
This is a little “inaccurate”. Clive’s Quartet are well known, and play for us regularly at Hedsor.
I need to clarify who is playing at Bourne End on Tuesday 3rd February
The flyer handed to me says it is “Lea Lyle with The Clive Burton Quartet.”
This is a little “inaccurate”. Clive’s Quartet are well known, and play for us regularly at Hedsor.
Clive is indeed playing with Lea on Tuesday, but the band ISNT the regular quartet!!
With CLIVE on trombone
With CLIVE on trombone
and LEA on voice and looks
will be:-Saxophonist JOHN ROLLS
Pianist NIGEL FOX
Bassist JOHN MONNEY
And on drums DAVE SIMMS
It is still only £5 to get in, with a half time snack and a raffle, so brighten up a dull winter with a bit of Bourne End SPARKLE!!
BUT leave space for the regular quartet (Mike Wills saxophone, Zane Cronje keyboard, Ken Rankine on bass and Martin Hart on drums) for Thursday February 5th at Hedsor.
TTFN
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hi Jazz Fans
Well, we have penetrated another week into 2009, so I thought a review of 3 of last weeks jazz activities might be appropriate.
First off, last Monday afternoon I was invited to give an illustrated lecture on “My Journey Through Jazz” to the Amersham branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A), Jazz Section. This turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable time talking to a room full of jazz fans of about my vintage, and playing them a variety of the jazz, and root music, that I had enjoyed on my way through my jazz life. It was very interesting to see different sections of the audience responding to the different styles of music I played, tapping their feet and smiling as different styles reflected their own prime love. When I mentioned that I had first seen singer Ottilie Patterson in the White Hart in Southall in the 1950's, a very excited lady in the back row shouted out that she had been there too!! And I did play them a wide variety of the sounds I had enjoyed, from Kenny Bakers Dozen, through Ken Colyer, to Simon Spillett. Although my brief had been to concentrate on British Jazz, I did manage to slip in a bit of Johnny Hodges, a 1925 Freddy Keppard, and a dose of the Rev Kelsey. Being originally an American musical form, it is impossible to miss out our cousins altogether, and I was determined to play them some of the obscure as well as the familiar. All in all, a well enjoyed (by me at any rate) 2 1/2 hours.
The next jazz event of the week for me was the regular session at Hedsor. Last week, we had the regular band, who are playing very well at the moment, but last week they played a few numbers not usually included in their repertoire. “Big Noise From Winnetka” went fairly well. There is currently a TV advert (for a government agency!) that uses the Bob Crosby Bob Cats original version as background music. I’m not sure if this was their inspiration on the night or not! “Tishomingo Blues” was less well know to modernists, and seemingly to most of the band!
The finale to the jazz musical week was the fabulous Shirtlifters annual “Evening of Winter Ineluctability” at Cookham’s Pinder Hall on Saturday. As usual on these evenings the place was packed, and great fun was had by all. I must say (no, no one is pointing a gun) that the band sounded really good. They had the assistance of “our” sax man Mike Wills, and the ensemble sound was the best I have ever heard from them. Trombone player Malcolm has come on leaps and bounds, and was playing some really good sustaining notes. It was all great fun, AND it has been recorded for future home listening. Watch this space.
This week on Thursday 29th Jan we have another wonderful prospect for Hedsor. Star saxophonist Simon Spillett will stand in front of our regular rhythm section, and alongside him will be trumpet man Stuart Henderson. And for just £5 you cannot afford to miss it.
Next Week? on Tuesday 3rd Feb, The Clive Burton Quintet play The Bourne End Community Centre, this time with the added dimension of local singer Lea Lyle. 8.30 p.m. start, £5 to get in, and nibbles at half time. And of course, we have our usual session with the Clive Burton Quintet on Thursday at Hedsor.
CD Review
Well, we have penetrated another week into 2009, so I thought a review of 3 of last weeks jazz activities might be appropriate.
First off, last Monday afternoon I was invited to give an illustrated lecture on “My Journey Through Jazz” to the Amersham branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A), Jazz Section. This turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable time talking to a room full of jazz fans of about my vintage, and playing them a variety of the jazz, and root music, that I had enjoyed on my way through my jazz life. It was very interesting to see different sections of the audience responding to the different styles of music I played, tapping their feet and smiling as different styles reflected their own prime love. When I mentioned that I had first seen singer Ottilie Patterson in the White Hart in Southall in the 1950's, a very excited lady in the back row shouted out that she had been there too!! And I did play them a wide variety of the sounds I had enjoyed, from Kenny Bakers Dozen, through Ken Colyer, to Simon Spillett. Although my brief had been to concentrate on British Jazz, I did manage to slip in a bit of Johnny Hodges, a 1925 Freddy Keppard, and a dose of the Rev Kelsey. Being originally an American musical form, it is impossible to miss out our cousins altogether, and I was determined to play them some of the obscure as well as the familiar. All in all, a well enjoyed (by me at any rate) 2 1/2 hours.
The next jazz event of the week for me was the regular session at Hedsor. Last week, we had the regular band, who are playing very well at the moment, but last week they played a few numbers not usually included in their repertoire. “Big Noise From Winnetka” went fairly well. There is currently a TV advert (for a government agency!) that uses the Bob Crosby Bob Cats original version as background music. I’m not sure if this was their inspiration on the night or not! “Tishomingo Blues” was less well know to modernists, and seemingly to most of the band!
The finale to the jazz musical week was the fabulous Shirtlifters annual “Evening of Winter Ineluctability” at Cookham’s Pinder Hall on Saturday. As usual on these evenings the place was packed, and great fun was had by all. I must say (no, no one is pointing a gun) that the band sounded really good. They had the assistance of “our” sax man Mike Wills, and the ensemble sound was the best I have ever heard from them. Trombone player Malcolm has come on leaps and bounds, and was playing some really good sustaining notes. It was all great fun, AND it has been recorded for future home listening. Watch this space.
This week on Thursday 29th Jan we have another wonderful prospect for Hedsor. Star saxophonist Simon Spillett will stand in front of our regular rhythm section, and alongside him will be trumpet man Stuart Henderson. And for just £5 you cannot afford to miss it.
Next Week? on Tuesday 3rd Feb, The Clive Burton Quintet play The Bourne End Community Centre, this time with the added dimension of local singer Lea Lyle. 8.30 p.m. start, £5 to get in, and nibbles at half time. And of course, we have our usual session with the Clive Burton Quintet on Thursday at Hedsor.
CD Review
A couple of year ago, at one of the Swanage Jazz Festival sessions, I very much enjoyed a set by Scottish piano man Brian Kellock. At that session, he had with him saxophonist Julian Arguelles. Out now on a CD is a complete series of duets by those two. I found the live set delightful, full of harmonies, and although playing many well known tunes, full of surprises. The CD is the same. It doesn’t have a rhythm section behind the two players, the sound is well recorded, and it has been a joy to listen to. Tunes include “Blame it on My Youth”, “The Masquerade”, “Don’t You Care To Know” and Lee Konitz “Thingin’”
It all comes on a strange label (Thick Records) being copyrighted to Thick-Skinned!! The number is TRCD0001, its called, “The Nine Mile burn Sessions” and promises to be the first of a series.
This years Swanage Jazz Festival runs from July 10th to the 12th.
That’s it for now folks
TTFN
Geoff C
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tonight at Hedsor, from 8.30 pm onwards, we have one of our regular sessions WITH Clive and Mike. On last weeks form, you don't want to miss this.
A comment has been added to my last posting of 2008:-
John Hicks said...
Hi Geoff,
Would any of your readers want to share their passion for jazz by presenting a jazz programme on the new community internet music radio station, Radio Bracknell (http://www.radiobracknell.com) launching on 1st February?If so, please drop me an e-mail at john@radiobracknell.com Many thanks John
So, would anyone like to do this? Let him (and me), know.
ADVANCE NOTICE At Hedsor on January 29th, we have one of our "special" sessions. With both Clive and Mike away, we have managed to persuade trumpet star Stuart Henderson to come and play alongside sax star Simon Spillett. You dare not miss this one! It's sure to be a memorable night.
TTFN
Geoff
A comment has been added to my last posting of 2008:-
John Hicks said...
Hi Geoff,
Would any of your readers want to share their passion for jazz by presenting a jazz programme on the new community internet music radio station, Radio Bracknell (http://www.radiobracknell.com) launching on 1st February?If so, please drop me an e-mail at john@radiobracknell.com Many thanks John
So, would anyone like to do this? Let him (and me), know.
ADVANCE NOTICE At Hedsor on January 29th, we have one of our "special" sessions. With both Clive and Mike away, we have managed to persuade trumpet star Stuart Henderson to come and play alongside sax star Simon Spillett. You dare not miss this one! It's sure to be a memorable night.
TTFN
Geoff
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Just to add choice, or in order to make life more difficult, there is a conflict of interests and styles to be had on January 24th.Just as you though it was safe to go to the Shirtlifters evening of winter electability, NOW you have to make a decision.
Trad, or Modern? Its up to you, but do one or the other, or they both might Disappear!!
But before that choice has to be made, Jazz at Hedsor offers you great jazz, fun and friendship, on Thursdays, all for £5!!
TTFN
Geoff C
Friday, January 09, 2009
Hi Everyone, and a Happy New Year to you all.
This is my first blog of 2009, and it has been prompted by my desire to let you all know that the live jazz available at The Hedsor Social Club, Bourne End, Bucks, has recommenced after the Christmas and New Year break, and that it is our intention to keep this live jazz event running just as long as we can.
Economic circumstances are against us all, but we hope to keep bringing you the cheer of first rate live jazz at a reasonable cost for just as long as we are allowed. If you are a member of the social club, don’t forget that NOW is the time to renew your membership. If you are a jazz angel, or a thinking of becoming one, do see our treasurer (John Dutton) before he returns to Spain, so that he can sign you up.
It’s not only finances that are against live music. It seems the government’s avowed intention is to stop all live music events by one means or another, and I would draw your attention to the following online petition, which MUST be signed for before January 23rd
“Please sign the petition!
Another piece of proposed legislation that will adversely affect live musicin the UK:It has been brought to attention that the government wish to consider it alegal requirement in the new tax year to introduce laws insisting anyoneapplying or re-applying for an entertainment license must have a noisecontrol device fitted to the venue. This will be the final NAIL for ALLentertainment in the UK as the level at which these devices CUT you off isdreadfully low and damaging.PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE THIS LAW, WE LOVE LIVE MUSIC!PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/”
Of course, all emails will also be monitored by the UK government later this year as a means of averting terrorist activity. Protesting against proposed government actions will draw attention to your subversive musical interests and activity, and may well be a means of keeping you in from the cold for free.
In the meantime, the Clive Burton Quintet will play for you every Thursday at Hedsor, now one of the few local jazz venues around, The Fifield Inn having stopped their Sunday Evening sessions “for the time being”.
Last nights first session of the year at Hedsor, after a 2 week break, was a bit like the first drink to a man dying of thirst. It was an excellent session, with the playing getting better as the evening wore on. I was on shandy, so it wasn’t a figment of my alcoholic haze (‘cause I didn’t have one!). It might have been because at least one of the band hadn’t had the opportunity to play since New Years Eve, (such is the paucity of gigs available) and they all needed to play themselves in! But it was a truly swinging session, full of excitement and humour. You will need to travel far, and pay a lot more, to hear music of this quality, for the kind of entry fee we ask (usually £5).
I was reminded earlier this evening, that there is a rock gig in Battersea tonight, where the ticket price is £500! I bet you can’t talk with the soloist either for that!
Recorded Music
First a reminder of past glories.
I wonder how many of you remember the Bracknell Jazz Festivals of the 1970’s. I was there!! And you can listen again to at least one piece of music that was played there. Stan Tracey wrote a suite of music called “The Bracknell Connection”. This has just been re released as part of the Stan Tracey Octet CD “The Early Works” Its on REASTEAMED RSJ 107, in excellent sound quality.
The musicians taking part are a virtual who’s who of the modern jazz scene of the 70’s (and some still today) Peter King, Art Theman, Don Weller, Harry Becket, Dave Green are all still with us, and 30 years ago were in their prime. It’s a great CD. Coupled with “The Bracknell Connection” is “The Salisbury Suite”, and an unrehearsed encore “Chiffik”.
From the all British, to the all American, and although a more recent recording, an older sound!
“The Johnny Varro Swing 7: Ring Dem Bells” is a simple swing sound, with many musical references to the 1940’s, and some excellent American musicians. Under Mr. Varro’s piano leadership are, Randy Sandke trumpet, Dan Barrett trombone, Scott Robinson tenor sax, Ken Peplowski alto and clarinet, Frank Tate bass and Joe Ascione drums.
It’ s on the Arbours Jazz label ARCD 19362, and the recorded sound is superb. The tunes are an interesting selection too, including “Come Sunday”, “Corner Pocket”, “You Stepped Out of a Dream”, and surprisingly “Buddy Bolden’s Blues”. This last tune is supposed to encapsulate the favourite solo by the legendary and unrecorded New Orleans trumpeter Buddy Bolden. It is said that he didn’t record because he didn’t want others to pinch his solos. He eventually died in a mental institution.
So, it is somewhat unusual in this swing orientated album to find a tune more associated with New Orleans Jazz.
BUT One final comment.
Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters are about to entertain you to another evening of ineluctability. January 24th at Pinder Hall. Tickets, well just ring Charles Benson on 01628 472163 and he will see to your needs (at £8 a ticket I believe). They may be more expected to play Buddy Bolden’s music!
So, until next time, its
TTFN
This is my first blog of 2009, and it has been prompted by my desire to let you all know that the live jazz available at The Hedsor Social Club, Bourne End, Bucks, has recommenced after the Christmas and New Year break, and that it is our intention to keep this live jazz event running just as long as we can.
Economic circumstances are against us all, but we hope to keep bringing you the cheer of first rate live jazz at a reasonable cost for just as long as we are allowed. If you are a member of the social club, don’t forget that NOW is the time to renew your membership. If you are a jazz angel, or a thinking of becoming one, do see our treasurer (John Dutton) before he returns to Spain, so that he can sign you up.
It’s not only finances that are against live music. It seems the government’s avowed intention is to stop all live music events by one means or another, and I would draw your attention to the following online petition, which MUST be signed for before January 23rd
“Please sign the petition!
Another piece of proposed legislation that will adversely affect live musicin the UK:It has been brought to attention that the government wish to consider it alegal requirement in the new tax year to introduce laws insisting anyoneapplying or re-applying for an entertainment license must have a noisecontrol device fitted to the venue. This will be the final NAIL for ALLentertainment in the UK as the level at which these devices CUT you off isdreadfully low and damaging.PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE THIS LAW, WE LOVE LIVE MUSIC!PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/”
Of course, all emails will also be monitored by the UK government later this year as a means of averting terrorist activity. Protesting against proposed government actions will draw attention to your subversive musical interests and activity, and may well be a means of keeping you in from the cold for free.
In the meantime, the Clive Burton Quintet will play for you every Thursday at Hedsor, now one of the few local jazz venues around, The Fifield Inn having stopped their Sunday Evening sessions “for the time being”.
Last nights first session of the year at Hedsor, after a 2 week break, was a bit like the first drink to a man dying of thirst. It was an excellent session, with the playing getting better as the evening wore on. I was on shandy, so it wasn’t a figment of my alcoholic haze (‘cause I didn’t have one!). It might have been because at least one of the band hadn’t had the opportunity to play since New Years Eve, (such is the paucity of gigs available) and they all needed to play themselves in! But it was a truly swinging session, full of excitement and humour. You will need to travel far, and pay a lot more, to hear music of this quality, for the kind of entry fee we ask (usually £5).
I was reminded earlier this evening, that there is a rock gig in Battersea tonight, where the ticket price is £500! I bet you can’t talk with the soloist either for that!
Recorded Music
First a reminder of past glories.
I wonder how many of you remember the Bracknell Jazz Festivals of the 1970’s. I was there!! And you can listen again to at least one piece of music that was played there. Stan Tracey wrote a suite of music called “The Bracknell Connection”. This has just been re released as part of the Stan Tracey Octet CD “The Early Works” Its on REASTEAMED RSJ 107, in excellent sound quality.
The musicians taking part are a virtual who’s who of the modern jazz scene of the 70’s (and some still today) Peter King, Art Theman, Don Weller, Harry Becket, Dave Green are all still with us, and 30 years ago were in their prime. It’s a great CD. Coupled with “The Bracknell Connection” is “The Salisbury Suite”, and an unrehearsed encore “Chiffik”.
From the all British, to the all American, and although a more recent recording, an older sound!
“The Johnny Varro Swing 7: Ring Dem Bells” is a simple swing sound, with many musical references to the 1940’s, and some excellent American musicians. Under Mr. Varro’s piano leadership are, Randy Sandke trumpet, Dan Barrett trombone, Scott Robinson tenor sax, Ken Peplowski alto and clarinet, Frank Tate bass and Joe Ascione drums.
It’ s on the Arbours Jazz label ARCD 19362, and the recorded sound is superb. The tunes are an interesting selection too, including “Come Sunday”, “Corner Pocket”, “You Stepped Out of a Dream”, and surprisingly “Buddy Bolden’s Blues”. This last tune is supposed to encapsulate the favourite solo by the legendary and unrecorded New Orleans trumpeter Buddy Bolden. It is said that he didn’t record because he didn’t want others to pinch his solos. He eventually died in a mental institution.
So, it is somewhat unusual in this swing orientated album to find a tune more associated with New Orleans Jazz.
BUT One final comment.
Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters are about to entertain you to another evening of ineluctability. January 24th at Pinder Hall. Tickets, well just ring Charles Benson on 01628 472163 and he will see to your needs (at £8 a ticket I believe). They may be more expected to play Buddy Bolden’s music!
So, until next time, its
TTFN
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all the readers of my Jazz Nagging Blog,
a Very Happy Christmas.
I also hope that the New Year will defy the pundits, and prove to be,
FOR YOU,
a very profitable one.
I would also like to thank ALL
the musicians
who have played for Jazz Angels,
at
The Hedsor Social Club.
Thank you for all the joy you bring with your music, and thank you all for your friendships as well.
May your stockings be filled with "Shiny", may your Sleigh "Ride",
and lets make 2009 a Jazz Band "Ball"
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
OK Fans, we are fast rushing towards the turkey (trot) season, which can only be preceded by the great rap, sorry wrap, and that itself buy (sorry again) by a shopping festival. I do mean we are yet again very near CHRISTMAS.
So, I thought I would remind you first that before the finalisation of the above, we do have one more session of JAZZ at The Hedsor Social Club. This Thursday December 18th we have a normal session at Hedsor, with Clive playing Santa Claus (no?), possibly to Mike Wills principle boy (or would he be one of the reindeer, he is used to a lot of travel, coming from Oxford to play for us!).
But seriously folks, another fine session of jazz (or another session of fine jazz) will be coming to Hedsor this Thursday. As ever, you can enjoy this pre turkey feast of music for the measly sum of £5. Start Time is 8.30 pm.
Sadly this will be the last session at Hedsor until January 8th 2009. I know, another year older, and deeper in dept, but that’s how we are, generous with the music.
On a less silly note (I did spend all day today Christmas Shopping), I thought I would write about 3 CD’s that I have enjoyed recently.
Three very different jazz styles, from three different musical perspectives. One I know I have written about before in the blog, but I thought as Christmas draws near, you may be tempted to try and find a shop that still retails Jazz CD’s (no, Smith’s wont stock these!).
In recording date order, the first is
So, I thought I would remind you first that before the finalisation of the above, we do have one more session of JAZZ at The Hedsor Social Club. This Thursday December 18th we have a normal session at Hedsor, with Clive playing Santa Claus (no?), possibly to Mike Wills principle boy (or would he be one of the reindeer, he is used to a lot of travel, coming from Oxford to play for us!).
But seriously folks, another fine session of jazz (or another session of fine jazz) will be coming to Hedsor this Thursday. As ever, you can enjoy this pre turkey feast of music for the measly sum of £5. Start Time is 8.30 pm.
Sadly this will be the last session at Hedsor until January 8th 2009. I know, another year older, and deeper in dept, but that’s how we are, generous with the music.
On a less silly note (I did spend all day today Christmas Shopping), I thought I would write about 3 CD’s that I have enjoyed recently.
Three very different jazz styles, from three different musical perspectives. One I know I have written about before in the blog, but I thought as Christmas draws near, you may be tempted to try and find a shop that still retails Jazz CD’s (no, Smith’s wont stock these!).
In recording date order, the first is
“Humph Experiments”. This is a Lake reissue of music I first heard on 10” LP back in the 1950’s.
In 1951 an Australian Jazz Band visited England, and spent a reasonable length of time here. “Graeme Bell’s Australian Jazz Band” is reputed to have started dancing to jazz in the UK (prior to his visit, most people sat and listened a bit like being at a Revival Meeting). Graeme actually stayed in the flat below Humph, and a great musical collaboration took place. The mix of musicians made a number of recordings together, exploring bigger ensembles, and often West Indian rhythms. These recordings are now mostly all together on this CD. The thing that strikes me most is what a good big band sound Humph organised in 1951. Don’t forget too, that this was long before Humph invited a saxophone player into his regular band. Here, many years (well 2 or 3) before Bruce Turner joined the front line, we have “Lazy” Ade Monsbourgh on alto sax, and Don “Pixie” Roberts on tenor sax as well.
There is a real mix of styles, and group numbers, but it is all great stuff. For anyone who liked Humph’s band in its later years, do go out and buy it. LACD266. It may have the odd banjo in there, but Trad it ain't. Trad itself wasn’t invented for another 8 years of so. Before then the purists called it Revivalist music. And this wasn’t that either!
The Second CD is completely different, but with a link to the first.
Norma Winstone is a singer who has forged a sound that has been copied by a number of other jazz singers. It can on occasion, be unpredictable. But in “Manhattan In The Rain” she performs wonderfully intoned, slightly cool, but wonderfully expressive vocal jazz. I heard it on an Internet radio show, and just had to go and buy it. The link to Humph is Tony Coe. Tony was an 18 year old when he joined Humph around 1959. Now, more mature, his fluid, bubbling sound is a perfect foil for Norma’s clarity. The killer song for me is “People Will Say Were In Love”. Steve Gray on keyboard, Chris Laurence on bass and Tony on tenor contrive to counter melody Norma. It doesn’t shake her timing or composure in any way, and the counterpoint it produces is exquisite. It’s a wonderful CD, and I think better than her more recent collaborations with Swedish musicians. This one goes up to the edge, but doesn’t ask you to step beyond.
It was recorded in 1997. Its on Edoc Records ENOCD 001. You could try 8 Wellington Parade, Walmer, Deal CT14 8AA (the address on the CD) or search Google! But it IS worth the effort.
The final CD this time round is definitely different again. Nicholas Meier is a John McClaughlan style guitarist who happens to come from Switzerland, and is married to a Turkish wife. Combine him with Israeli born sax player Giled Atzmon and you have a CD that has very mixed, but very exciting, musical origins. Add in Asaf Sirkis on drums and Tom Mason on bass, and you might be thinking I’m talking about a world music release played on the BBC World Service at some ungodly hour of the night. But no, I claim it to be jazz. It’s exciting, it’s rhythmic, it swings, and it will widen your musical experience if you seek it out. It is wonderfully recorded on Naim (yes they make very expensive amplifiers and CD players), and came out in April this year. Silence Talks is the album on Naim CD113.
And with that I will retreat to the Turkey I can eat until another year. Don’t forget, it is you who is responsible for keeping live Jazz alive. No audience, no music.
Do have a superb Chistmas, and celebrate the New Year with hope.
Geoff C
Friday, December 12, 2008
John Slater and Simon Spillett
Simon
Clive and Simon“WOW”, as a Newport jazz festival compare was recorded as saying after a terrific set from Lionel Hampton’s big Band in 1966. “WOW”
Last nights Jazz Party at Hedsor was another of those WOW nights.
I think that the very good crowd who turned out had every good reason to say WOW too. The music was excellent, Simon Spillett won more new friends, and our regular quintet, led by Clive Burton, showed just how good and versatile they are.
One of the strangest musical collaborations (that I don’t think I would have called), really worked. A duet, with rhythm accompaniment, between Simon Spillett and Cookham’s fabulous Shirtlifters (a trad band!) lead trumpet player, John Slater.
It was what jazz is always all about. Its all very well for a regular band, to read the scores and rehearse, play well and get it right on the night. BUT for two musicians who had never played together before, and who come from almost the opposite ends of the musical spectum of jazz, to combine and produce sheer magic together was just one of those jazz moments of history. It’s what jazz is all about, it’s what LIVE JAZZ is all about, and if you only listen to records, even on your highest Hi Fi, then you will never experience the thrill. Yes, OK, it doesn’t always work, we’ve all been to disappointing musical events. It does work much of the time though, and if your not there, you will never get that thrill.
The closing number (“Hit That Jive Jack”) was again, that well worn, “lets get all the players up at the same time to finish the evening” scenario. But it was absolutely magic. One, irregular, attendee, said afterwards that Martin Hart should play more drum solos! It wasn’t pre planned, he called for a go!! And it fitted within the framework. And you could feel the combined smile of the audience widen as he played. The riffs backing all the solos were something from the best of the big band era, and I’m also sure many were surprised to see Clive lead the singing too, so Jamie Cullem, watch out.
These Jazz concerts in Hedsor’s Big Room are becoming a regular event. We are making more friends as we do them, and we will do them again.
So don’t miss out, start coming out to Hedsor to see for yourself what great jazz is being performed just up the road from you.
Last nights Jazz Party at Hedsor was another of those WOW nights.
I think that the very good crowd who turned out had every good reason to say WOW too. The music was excellent, Simon Spillett won more new friends, and our regular quintet, led by Clive Burton, showed just how good and versatile they are.
One of the strangest musical collaborations (that I don’t think I would have called), really worked. A duet, with rhythm accompaniment, between Simon Spillett and Cookham’s fabulous Shirtlifters (a trad band!) lead trumpet player, John Slater.
It was what jazz is always all about. Its all very well for a regular band, to read the scores and rehearse, play well and get it right on the night. BUT for two musicians who had never played together before, and who come from almost the opposite ends of the musical spectum of jazz, to combine and produce sheer magic together was just one of those jazz moments of history. It’s what jazz is all about, it’s what LIVE JAZZ is all about, and if you only listen to records, even on your highest Hi Fi, then you will never experience the thrill. Yes, OK, it doesn’t always work, we’ve all been to disappointing musical events. It does work much of the time though, and if your not there, you will never get that thrill.
The closing number (“Hit That Jive Jack”) was again, that well worn, “lets get all the players up at the same time to finish the evening” scenario. But it was absolutely magic. One, irregular, attendee, said afterwards that Martin Hart should play more drum solos! It wasn’t pre planned, he called for a go!! And it fitted within the framework. And you could feel the combined smile of the audience widen as he played. The riffs backing all the solos were something from the best of the big band era, and I’m also sure many were surprised to see Clive lead the singing too, so Jamie Cullem, watch out.
These Jazz concerts in Hedsor’s Big Room are becoming a regular event. We are making more friends as we do them, and we will do them again.
So don’t miss out, start coming out to Hedsor to see for yourself what great jazz is being performed just up the road from you.
I'll tell you about some great CD's to add to your collection next time, but, unless next time is after the festive day, may I wish all my readers (who?), a Very Happy Christmas Time.
Geoff C
Saturday, November 22, 2008
22.11.08
Hi
Last Thursday we had a super session from our regular band at Hedsor, which makes us all realize how good they all are, playing difficult arrangements off the top of their heads without prior rehearsal. Their harmonies in the ensemble were admirable, and the individual solos just showed what imaginative musicians we have playing for us on a regular basis. OK, so we had to show the odd yellow card, but what the ....anyway!
Next Thursday our advertised guest, Al Nicholls, will not be able to be with us, he is getting a proper fee elsewhere. This is disappointing as it has been some time since he last played a Hedsor Thursday for us.
In his place however we have veteran saxophonist John Rolls. His broad tone and ballad playing ability should recommend him to many of you, who I know, are his fans.
More News on The Christmas Concert front.
A number of our musician friends have now said they will try and put in an appearance on Thursday 11th December. Obviously, if properly paid jobs appear for them, they may not decide to come, but, BBC Jazz Rising Star saxophonist Simon Spillett has definitely agreed to be our guest, and the following have been invited, and will come if they can:-
Vasilis Zenopoulos a young saxophonist with a love for swing music, John Coverdale, a great guitarist, who we are fortunate to see at Hedsor quite often (but never too often), Peter O'Brian is another great guitarist, who hasn't been lately because other people have paid him more money than we have (not difficult!), Stuart Henderson, a trumpet legend, whom I have never yet seen (hence the legend status, everyone tells me how good he is!). I am sure more will drop in, as Hedsor is becoming know amongst a wider circle of musicians as a great place to play.
So, why don't YOU come to the party too. Tickets are still available from me, or from The Stationery Depot in Cookham Rise, 01628 531178 price £10 each. It really should be a night to remember.
One last mention, That Legend, Stuart Henderson, is playing The Fifield Inn this coming Sunday. Yes that's right, tomorrow night!
Geoff C
Hi
Last Thursday we had a super session from our regular band at Hedsor, which makes us all realize how good they all are, playing difficult arrangements off the top of their heads without prior rehearsal. Their harmonies in the ensemble were admirable, and the individual solos just showed what imaginative musicians we have playing for us on a regular basis. OK, so we had to show the odd yellow card, but what the ....anyway!
Next Thursday our advertised guest, Al Nicholls, will not be able to be with us, he is getting a proper fee elsewhere. This is disappointing as it has been some time since he last played a Hedsor Thursday for us.
In his place however we have veteran saxophonist John Rolls. His broad tone and ballad playing ability should recommend him to many of you, who I know, are his fans.
More News on The Christmas Concert front.
A number of our musician friends have now said they will try and put in an appearance on Thursday 11th December. Obviously, if properly paid jobs appear for them, they may not decide to come, but, BBC Jazz Rising Star saxophonist Simon Spillett has definitely agreed to be our guest, and the following have been invited, and will come if they can:-
Vasilis Zenopoulos a young saxophonist with a love for swing music, John Coverdale, a great guitarist, who we are fortunate to see at Hedsor quite often (but never too often), Peter O'Brian is another great guitarist, who hasn't been lately because other people have paid him more money than we have (not difficult!), Stuart Henderson, a trumpet legend, whom I have never yet seen (hence the legend status, everyone tells me how good he is!). I am sure more will drop in, as Hedsor is becoming know amongst a wider circle of musicians as a great place to play.
So, why don't YOU come to the party too. Tickets are still available from me, or from The Stationery Depot in Cookham Rise, 01628 531178 price £10 each. It really should be a night to remember.
One last mention, That Legend, Stuart Henderson, is playing The Fifield Inn this coming Sunday. Yes that's right, tomorrow night!
Geoff C
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Another week, where there is doom and gloom on the financial front, and reflections of mans inhumanity to man become very apparent, and where it is all seemingly supported by the weather.
So is life all grey and drab? No, not with the prospect of Jazz at Hedsor to look forward to, and with recorded music from the past to sustain you on your journey to Thursday.
This week, we have at Hedsor, for the second week running, our own star saxophone section, Mike Wills, coming to play for us with Clive Burton's regular quintet. So swing and melody will be along, with “The Goof and I” even! It all starts at 8.30 pm as usual, and will cost you £5 to get in.
On Sunday at Fifield, trumpet man Stuart Henderson will be Clive’s star guest. I have managed to miss him every time he has played, and have kicked myself every time for doing so too! Free entry, but buy a raffle ticket if you want to leave with the 2 working arms you came in with.
On Thursday 27th November, our guest at Hedsor will be saxophone star Al Nicholls. It’s been too long since we saw him last, and I’m sure his brand of booting swinging tenor sax will appeal to all jazz fans.
Coming up on the near horizon (December 11th) is Hedsor Jazz’s Christmas Party. Tickets are beginning to sell, so if you want to party with us, (and it should be great fun, with many guest musicians, AND some food to nibble at at half time), then get a ticket soon. They are only £10, and you can get them from me or from the Stationary Depot in Cookham.
So, there is the hope for the future, to drag you through the drab, but I have listened to a couple of CD’s this week that should give you instant sunshine until your next fix of live jazz.
Many of you will know that British pianist Brian Lemon has had to give up playing due to arthritis in his hands. He has of course left us a great legacy with his many recordings, and some of them are only now being released.
“Love Walked In” is the title of an album recorded in 2001, with just 4 musicians on it. As they are playing Gershwin, you know the tunes will be good, but alongside Brian are Dave Green on Bass, Tony Coe on not only tenor sax, but soprano and clarinet as well, and Gerard Presencer on Flugelhorn.
As I mentioned, Gershwin tunes are all very memorable (the sleeve notes call the tunes “robust”), and this CD is no exception. “They Cant Take That Away From Me”, “Somebody Loves Me”, and “I Loves You Porgy” are all in there, and the musical approach is fascinating.
Its modern, but not avant guard, clean (no infilling drums), and quit astonishingly beautiful. I don’t hide my appreciation of Tony Coe, I have been a fan of his since the early 1960’s. I hadn’t heard much of his clarinet recently, but it follows his approach on tenor (dribbling out notes rather than shooting them at you). “How Long Has his Been Going On” has two takes, the first with Tony on clarinet, the second on tenor. Go and buy this CD for the clarinet take alone, then tell me that the hairs on your neck didn’t stand up! Zepher Records ZECD 33
The second CD is of an older vintage. I heard it the other week on “Jazz Record Requests” and decided that it was a “must buy”. Via Amazon I managed to find a new copy of it in the USA, and it is now with me, and well worth the £5 paid! I know I am probably late in coming to it, but Jim Hall’s “Concierto” is a great listen. Not just for the title track, (20 minutes of the “Concierto de Aranjuez”), because they are all gems. The performers are all gems too, Jim Hall of course plays the guitar, but with him he has Chet Baker on trumpet, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Roland Hanna on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Steve Gadd on drums.
It’s a magic masterpiece. Its carefully crafted, and a real tonic after a rough day in the office! It was recorded in 1971, doesn’t sound as old as the clothes they wear look, and is well worth trying to find. It’s a Sony Legacy reissue, apparently on the CTI label, with a number ZK65132
Well that’s it for now folks, bring on the cartunes!!
Well that’s it for now folks, bring on the cartunes!!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Welcome to November the 5th. Sorry, but no fireworks on this page, or are there?
I've had complaints. I don't write my blog as often as I used to. Well, this is true. Life does seem to be very busy, but as Winter is a time for reading, listening and writing, I thought I would at least start you off with some reading.
Tomorrow night, at The Hedsor Social Club, we have as our guest with The Clive Burton Quartet, trombone star Gordon Campbell, lead trombonist of the BBC Big Band. Why not come along and pick yourself up and have an enjoyable evening with us at Hedsor. It starts as usual at 8.30 pm, and entry is a pretty reasonable £5.
Coming in December is The Hedsor Jazz Christmas Party, which will start at 8 pm on December 11th. A number of jazz stars will be coming to blow for us that night, some as yet to be finalised, but Simon Spillett HAS committed himself to the event. No, not a sign of madness, because HE knows how important local smallish clubs like ours are to keep live jazz alive. Tickets are available at £10 each.
What have I been listening to lately?
Last Sunday I went to listen to young Greek saxophone player Vasilis Xenopoulos at Bradenham's Red Lion, and he is really someone to keep an eye on. A wonderfully exciting player, who seems to manage to generate a groove from almost any tune, and with any bunch of musicians.
Earlier in the day I had had a conversation with him about one of the CD's I had listened to in the week. Derek Nash and Sax Appeal have been around for a number of years now, and I would have described them as a straight ahead kind of jazz unit. Their recent album "The Flatiron Suite" (see cover above), is a bit different, and much more "Weather Report" in my view.
Vasilis had been saying that musicians always need to push the music forward, and I had wondered if this had been, and is still always the case. Musicians are entertainers if they play before a paying public, and many times the progressive hasn't entertained. Vasilis said that if musicians want to extend the boundaries, then they should explain to their audience what they are trying to achieve. In the Flatiron Suite I'm unclear what Sax Appeal are trying to do. It sounds very nice, its well recorded, but it really is something that has been done before. "Flatiron" can be heard by ordering Jazzizit CD JITCD 00541
By the way, one avant guard musician I have heard live (at Brecon) and been greatly entertained by is Hiromi, a Japanese keyboard player. I discovered from Vasilis, that not only is she the same age as he is (young!), but went to Berklee at the same time as he did, and he has played with her in New York many times in the past !!
The other album illustrated above is from an older generation of musicians, and an older style of jazz altogether. "Live and Swinging" presents the Peter York All Stars playing a very interesting selection of tunes, in a very 1940's style. And it entertained me! OK, so Peter York used to be a member of The Spencer Davis Group of the flower power era, but he is a very good drummer, and has made a fairly comfortable living in Germany playing jazz. (No, not really true, he plays jazz in Germany, but he made the comfort first!). Every year he toures with a bunch of compatible musicians, and the recording (made in 1998) has him with 2 key members of the old Alex Welsh Band, namely Roy Williams (trombone) and Harvey Weston (bass), together with an ex college of Roy's from the Humph Band sax "Swanage is my Festival" man Alan Barnes. Completing the Stars are York himself on drums,and Wolfgang Dalheimer on keyboard.
And Swing it does. I have been trying to persuade people to play one of Duke Ellington's tunes for ages, and it crops up on this album. Alan B plays a lovely version of "Isfahan" taken from Dukes "Far East" suite. Also on the album is a medley from Dukes Sacred Music Concerts, with again, a tune I try to get played, "Come Sunday". So there are lots of good reasons to go out and buy this one (in my view), BUT also in my view, Pete York can no longer sing. Nice try, but, well, I have heard "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" done by others better before!
"Pete York All Stars Live and Swinging" can be had from nagel heyer records CD091
So, that's it for now folks. Don't forget, that however good or bad recorded jazz is, NOTHING is as good, (and sometimes as bad), as LIVE JAZZ.
Do turn out to support musicians who have studied and perfected there skill for you to listen to. If live jazz is on near you, brave the cold and the rain, and go and give the musicians your support. They do it for the applause, not the money.
Geoff C
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Chris Barber Band in 1954, Lake Records LACDD141/142
Picture from the LPCover
Calligraph CLG CD 038Due to the business of life, I don’t seem to have written a meaningful blog for a number of weeks, so this in some way goes towards rectifying that, and of telling you all about some wonderful jazz gigs coming up at the same time.
This Thursday at Hedsor we have the amazing saxophonist Simon Spillett, who has been missing from Hedsor for too long. But, for a mere £5 you can catch him this week, accompanied by our regular, (and wonderful) Clive Burton Quintet.
The following Thursday, we have another jazz star, but one who hasn’t been to Hedsor before. Trombone player (with the BBC Big Band) Gordon Campbell is coming to compete with our regular bone shaker Clive.
Both gigs start at 8.30 pm. As usual we will be selling second hand Jazz CD’s at both these events. That’s just an added incentive for you to turn out. After all, keeping live jazz alive is our primary aim.
Coming fairly soon after those events, you will find our Christmas Party rushing towards you. On December 11th, we will be occupying Hedsor’s Big Room, from 8 pm onwards (note the time), and we will be providing party buffet food included in your £10 ticket price. Tickets are now available. We are trying to round up the stars as I tap.
One of the reasons for not writing a blog recently has been my upcoming involvement (in January 2009) with the University of the Third Age (U3A). I have been persuaded to talk to the Beaconsfield contingent about my journey through jazz. So, of course, I have been trying hard to recall who I heard first, and what attracted me into being a jazz fan in the first place.
This has meant me looking back at some of the music I listened to first in about 1953. That has also meant me pulling out some of the old (now on CD) LP’s and listening to them again. Space is too short to describe here in detail how I became enchanted by Jazz, but an early television outside broadcast was party responsible. It was Jazz live from what became The 100 Club, with the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, and I was struck forcibly by “Sweet Georgia Brown”. The sheer gaiety (we could use that word without flinching back in 1953), and informality of it all convinced me that this was THE music for me.
I cast around for similar sounds, not knowing what or who, or even how. I purchased second hand 78’s on my way home from school. A wide diversity of artists and styles came through that means. Sid Phillips, Chris Barber, Louis Armstrong (Hot 5 and 7). Ray Anthony, and numerous others. This last week, I have also rediscovered Ken Colyer, a banjo player called Tony Donegan, and then I went on on my musical journey with Johnny Hodges (“Come Sunday” from the first concert of Sacred Music), Bruce Turner (“St James Infirmary” from Jazz at The Conway), The glorious Humph band of the 1960’s with Tony Coe, Alex Welsh’s band with Roy Williams and John Barnes, my trawl through my collection has to go on in the next few weeks, because I have got to identify the music I want to play to illustrate my journey through jazz.
This Thursday at Hedsor we have the amazing saxophonist Simon Spillett, who has been missing from Hedsor for too long. But, for a mere £5 you can catch him this week, accompanied by our regular, (and wonderful) Clive Burton Quintet.
The following Thursday, we have another jazz star, but one who hasn’t been to Hedsor before. Trombone player (with the BBC Big Band) Gordon Campbell is coming to compete with our regular bone shaker Clive.
Both gigs start at 8.30 pm. As usual we will be selling second hand Jazz CD’s at both these events. That’s just an added incentive for you to turn out. After all, keeping live jazz alive is our primary aim.
Coming fairly soon after those events, you will find our Christmas Party rushing towards you. On December 11th, we will be occupying Hedsor’s Big Room, from 8 pm onwards (note the time), and we will be providing party buffet food included in your £10 ticket price. Tickets are now available. We are trying to round up the stars as I tap.
One of the reasons for not writing a blog recently has been my upcoming involvement (in January 2009) with the University of the Third Age (U3A). I have been persuaded to talk to the Beaconsfield contingent about my journey through jazz. So, of course, I have been trying hard to recall who I heard first, and what attracted me into being a jazz fan in the first place.
This has meant me looking back at some of the music I listened to first in about 1953. That has also meant me pulling out some of the old (now on CD) LP’s and listening to them again. Space is too short to describe here in detail how I became enchanted by Jazz, but an early television outside broadcast was party responsible. It was Jazz live from what became The 100 Club, with the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, and I was struck forcibly by “Sweet Georgia Brown”. The sheer gaiety (we could use that word without flinching back in 1953), and informality of it all convinced me that this was THE music for me.
I cast around for similar sounds, not knowing what or who, or even how. I purchased second hand 78’s on my way home from school. A wide diversity of artists and styles came through that means. Sid Phillips, Chris Barber, Louis Armstrong (Hot 5 and 7). Ray Anthony, and numerous others. This last week, I have also rediscovered Ken Colyer, a banjo player called Tony Donegan, and then I went on on my musical journey with Johnny Hodges (“Come Sunday” from the first concert of Sacred Music), Bruce Turner (“St James Infirmary” from Jazz at The Conway), The glorious Humph band of the 1960’s with Tony Coe, Alex Welsh’s band with Roy Williams and John Barnes, my trawl through my collection has to go on in the next few weeks, because I have got to identify the music I want to play to illustrate my journey through jazz.
BUT the journey hasn’t stopped. 78’s were replaced by LP’s, and LP’s have been replaced by CD’s. BUT IT IS STILL LIVE JAZZ that gives me the greatest buzz of all. Yes, it’s great to recall times, and musicians, and music from the past. I have yet to reach Gerry Mulligan and Stan Getz in my recorded collection. But to hear Live Jazz, played by people who can express themselves through their instrument, is the greatest joy of all. It can be full of surprises, and often full of smiles too. Others have obviously though so too. There is a Bechet tune called "Spreadin' Joy", and a Clark/Boland Big Band LP called "Smiles"
Our usual door charge at Hedsor is £5. For £5 you can have joy, and friendship.
If you wanted to watch the American Football this afternoon at Wembley, you would have had to pay a minimum of £50 a ticket
Join me sometime at a live jazz event. They are around, but I do wonder for how much longer?
Join me sometime at a live jazz event. They are around, but I do wonder for how much longer?
Geoff C
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