Good Tuesday to all.

No Jazz at Hedsor Jazz this Thursday.

BUT

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

Guest pianist in second set Andy Stermer

 

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

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

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

John Critchinson

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 LIVE JAZZ IS AT HEDSOR THIS THURSDAY!

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

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

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

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

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

Alam Nathoo at Hedsor

 

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

Here’s the interesting bit:

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

Now lets add in a bit about Mark Ridout

Mark at Hedsor earlier this year

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

Geoff

Geoff’s Blog for a Hedsor Jazzless week!

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

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

Taken at Christmas 2017, Both Lamonts and Tina May!

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

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

Mark

Alam

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

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

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

A CD TO LOOK OUT FOR

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

This week at The Hedsor Bar WE HAVE JAZZ!

Yes Thursday 27^th August is one of our live jazz nights for Hedsor Jazz.

Coming are two of our long time supporters. Saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr, and trumpet man Lester Brown. They will be supported by our resident trio led by pianist Ken McCarthy. If you have been to Hedsor Jazz before you may have seen either of these two musicians before, and you will therefore know that we will get some well known tunes, and maybe the stories behind those tunes as well.

And by Thursday we may or may not need The Hedsor Bar’s excellent air conditioning, which has supported our summer jazz Thursdays very comfortably indeed.

Duncan Lamont

Lester Brown

Autumn now seems to be slowly coming towards us, the excessive heat of this summer is receding, and longer nights are beginning.

Our first session of September has an exciting first time look about it.

Saxophonist Alam Nathoo is being joined by guitarist Mark Ridout.

Both are exciting players. Both have left us with dropped jaws at their ability to play and excite on previous visits. BUT they have never met before!

IF YOU have never been to Hedsor Jazz before, have never experienced the undoubted magic that sometime happens at Hedsor Jazz, this is one for you not to miss. September 10^th 8pm start £12 entry by cash money!

Alam Nathoo, with Al Pirrie on bass

Mark Ridout

Our last Hedsor Jazz session on August 13^th had saxophonist Alan Barnes with us in great form. It was a lovely evening, with a good friendly crowd and some old faces to reacquaint ourselves with. Alan played wonderfully well, and I have to pinch myself to realise how long ago it was that I first heard him. It was definitely in the 20^th century!

But he was joined at our last session by someone who I only met about a year ago. Singer Nanci Zhang hails from the U.S.A but does now sometimes come to England. AND when she does she comes to sing for us at Hedsor. And for our Alan Barnes night she “sat in” for 2 or 3 tunes. It just added to the splendour of our evening. We very much hope that she will be back before Christmas to join us again. In the meantime safe journeying Nanci.

Some photos from August 13^th are below.

Alan Barnes

Alan Barnes and Nanci

Nanci Zhang

Thinking back on how long I have listened to Alan Barnes for reminds me that this week I have sorted through some of the recordings that various people have copied for me over the years.

In doing that I had to refer back to a blog I had written in 2007. There I found my comment about a CD I have actually listened to again this week.

Back in the day I tried to find some recordings by a band I had only heard about called “Juggernaut”. Eventually I discovered it was led by drummer Frank Capp, and that it was a big band that recorded in Hollywood. This was back in 1994.

I eventually had a copy donated to me in the end and I played it again this week It is titled “In A Hefti Bag”. All the tunes are written by and arranged by Neil Hefti so the overall feeling is one of The Count Basie’s Orchestra.

Having played it again so recently it is still something I would recommend you seek out; it is an excellent recording with some wonderful players. Just look at who is on it.

I’ll leave you with a copy of the cover, as I had it initially, in black and white! Together with the track listing and personnel.

 

Its on the Concord Jazz CCD-4655

See you Thursday,

Geoff

This week is one of the “jazz free” weeks at Hedsor Jazz, which is good for our finances but not so good for our jazz and social lives! I for one miss the conviviality of weekly meets.

After last Thursday perhaps I miss jazz this week more than usual, because last week became extra special.

Special because our special guest was Alan Barnes. 

I thought he played really well, and it was good to have him at Hedsor again. I have know him and listened to him over many of my 88 years, and probably for about 40 of his 67!

He is a great British player who makes modern jazz very accessible with his light hearted comments and attitudes to playing it. Plus also his undoubted skill as a saxophonist. Last Thursday he brought his “big one” to Hedsor, his baritone sax. What a wonderful rasping sound that generates!

But he also brought his clarinet (for his Thursday clarinet practice night?) and an old alto sax donated to him by another musician who is no longer able to play through ill health. He told me that since acquiring this he has favoured it over newer instruments in his collection. In his hands it did sound really wonderful. “Isfahan”, played by him on it in the second set, was truly beautiful.

Also last week joining us and Alan in the second set was singer Nanci Zhang, a delight to see and hear. One of the songs she sang was about the city she comes from - “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans”. 

Hedsor Jazz has been very lucky in having her come to sing for us when she is in the UK

The supporting trio behind them this week was Ken McCarthy on keyboard and Mike Jeffries on drums.This week our bass player was a barefoot Richard Sadler.

 

I will add that all of the above was enhanced by The Hedsor Bar’s air conditioning.

We had a good appreciative audience, and it was very pleasant to have so many friends, some not seen for some time, come and visit Hedsor for this celebration of (my) survival.

To finish our August month (!) two more friends of Hedsor Jazz will be with us. On August 27^th we have on saxophone Duncan Lamont and on trumpet Lester Brown. All backed by our regular trio led by Ken McCarthy.

Duncan Lamont

 

Lester Brown

Our first gig in September is on September 10^th when we will have an exciting bringing together for the first time of saxophonist Alam Nathoo with guitarist Mark Ridout. We have had many exciting moments from both of these fine musicians before. We all agree that they have been real finds for Hedsor Jazz. But they have never met, little own played together before. The weather may be cooling off by the time of this gig, but I recon sparks will fly! Definitely “mark” you diaries NOW.

As is his want, Alan Barnes did bring some of his CD’s to Hedsor to sell. He has gone past the age where he announces them as a means of providing for his starving children. Now he sells them to provide for his aging relatives! 

His plea was so heart warming that I bought two!

One was a reissue from the 1980’s and is one of the earliest recordings of Alan with Dave Newton. Even then they were pretty good, and it is a very enjoyable listen.

The other one I acquired is a recording from last year with Alan joined by Mark Nightingale on trombone and James Davison on trumpet. It’s called “Jazz Classics with a Twist” and is a really well crafted set of well loved (by jazz musicians) tunes! It really is excellent, and I would suggest that you tap Alan on the shoulder next time you see him and purchase it.

You know it makes sense, at least another cup of tea for an aging relative of Alan’s!

Artwork for both is below

 

One final nudge.

Some years ago Hedsor Jazz had some help from Brunel University. One of those assisting us was Charlie Wren, who at the time sang in a pop rock group. She has recently started to make more waves in that genre, and has released a pop single on YouTube. Give it a listen, and perhaps boost her way to stardom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmokDUptTRI&list=RDGMEMQ1dJ7wXfLlqCjwV0xfSNbAVMfmokDUptTRI&start_radio=1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmokDUptTRI&list=RDGMEMQ1dJ7wXfLlqCjwV0xfSNbAVMfmokDUptTRI&start_radio=1

TTFN

Geoff

THIS WEEK AT HEDSOR JAZZ

THIS Thursday August 13^th at The Hedsor Bar, we have the great ALAN BARNES!

Coming to celebrate the great heat wave, but in the cool of The Hedsor Bar’s AIR CONDITIONING is multi-reed instrumentalist Alan Barnes, one of Britain’s top saxophonists, and a great humorists to boot.

Accompanying him at Hedsor this week will be Ken McCarthy on keyboard, Richard Sadler on bass and Mike Jeffries on drums.

We are also hoping to see American singer Nanci Zhang this Thursday too. After her last appearance when she saw on our handbills that Alan was with us this week she suggested that she might like to come and sit in for a couple of songs too.

So cool jazz in a cool room! What better way is there to celebrate a hot August.

Last time Alan was with us he came with his long time friend and associate Dave Newton on keyboard. Sadly Dave is unable to come to us with him this year, (we are trying to book him for later in the year), so there will be more space for Alan’s humour!

Alan and Dave do have an excellent program of piano-saxophone duets worked out. They have played together for many years since their time together at Leeds Music College and have an excellent rapport. A video of them working together in concert at St Mary’s Church, Perivale,( filmed 9 months ago) can be viewed from the link:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq1jzAb4whw

If you copy and paste this in your browser you will get 75 minutes of the complete concert. (be aware that the first 15 minutes from the link is waiting time and preamble)!

“The quality of Hedsor is not strained” is obviously a corruption of Portia’s speech from “The Merchant of Venice”, but you might like to consider it, because two weeks after Alan’s appearance at Hedsor, we have a return of another well loved saxophonist and friend of Hedsor Jazz. Duncan Lamont Jr. is coming to play for us on August 27^th, together with trumpeter Lester Brown.

Reducing Hedsor Jazz’s frequency may have enabled us to keep going, but it also means that we cannot see friends quiet as often as we all would like, and I do mean friends who play as well as those who listen.

One final sad note. You may have had, or may still have, a strange email message purporting to come from me. Please DO NOT RESPOND. It isn’t from me, my address book has been “compromised”. To be on the safe side I would suggest you change your passwords.

 

 Today, A Wednesday, is an unusual day for a blog.

But due to yesterday being taken up with a need to “rationalise” some storage space which meant triggering some memories that had been encapsulated onto floppy disks (remember them, early memories indeed) I ran out of energy, really perhaps more, the will to live (in the past!).

And then the first part of my evening was taken up with an extraordinary 100 ball cricket match (241 for 2, SunRisers Leeds Men, off 100 balls) it meant that I didn’t get to write the blog ‘till this morning.

Sadly NO JAZZ at Hedsor this week, but next week??!!

ALAN BARNES COMES (AGAIN) TO HEDSOR.

Yes,as part of my celebration of survival we have Alan coming to us at Hedsor. 

Make the date, August 13^th. Usual entry time and fee 8pm start, £12 entry. Which includes the AIRCON!! AND the evening MAY also include a guest appearance of  singer Nanci Zhang!

 

We do of course always have some great jazz for you to listen to at Hedsor. The second and fourth Thursday of every month is set aside for it.

Our future looks bright:-

 

And we have an advanced booking for us all to look forward to.

On November 26^th we have the combined mighty talents of Vasilis Xenopoulos and Nigel Price coming to Hedsor Jazz.

 

One of the joys of survival is that I can go back a long time. To a time when no one had heard of either of these two stars of the British jazz scene.

BUT they played at Hedsor for us, initially in the bar when we used that. Initially it was on a Monday when we ran some guitar led jazz, and James Fenn introduced us to Vasilis.

And then for a Cookham Festival Jazz Night Vasilis introduced us to Nigel.

Today of course jazz festivals are organised around them, but they still find time to play for us at Hedsor Jazz. DONT MISS IT. They may even play requests. A duet of “The One Note Samba” perhaps!

Going back a long time has made me look back at the kind of jazz I started listening to.

I’ll try and write some more on this another time, but for starters an LP I heard in the early 1960’s was “Coast Concert” with Bobby Hackett and his band. It was recorded in 1955 and is timeless, label less, jazz, with that master of the trombone Jack Teagarden joining Bobby alongside Matty Matlock on clarinet.

I’m not sure if it is still available, but it was reissued on CD paired with another similar recording called Jazz Ultimate on Dormouse Records DMI CDX02, artwork below. 

As a matter of no interest at all, I first heard the recording from off of a reel to reel tape machine. They did indeed issue commercial recordings on this once popular recording media.