Good Wednesday Morning everyone.

Yes, the nag's a day late, but this little persistent reminder is still with you. Why? Because we do need to support the local jazz events that are available, such as

Tonight, Lynn Garner and Ken McCarthy at The Harrow up the Hughenden Valley north of High Wycombe. An intimate jazz venue, wonderful singing and first class accompaniment and its all FREE. 8.30 till about 11pm.

I have known both for some years, but talking to Ken last week, we discovered that for a short period of time we both worked (he as a BT wireman, and me as an RAF mechanic) under what is now the Ministry of Defence. It was the Air Ministry when we were there in 1962! We had even both worked in the same room on occasions, and that was a long way underneath I can tell you. But no more than that, because it is probably all still covered under the official secrets act, which is STILL on my office wall!!

Thursday I don't think has the same connections, but The Clive Burton Quintet will be playing The Hedsor Social Club from 8.30 pm. Entry by raffle ticket, and yes, we need the money!

Sunday, Century Jazz play The Fifield from 8pm, food available, again payment for the music is by raffle ticket.

This last week I had the pleasure of speaking at Cores End Church (where we recently held a jazz concert), and gave a brief introduction to jazz, and gospel music. I was ably supported by a lady that I haven't had the pleasure of hearing for some years, Melrose Coe. Mel has always had a great voice, and feel for Jazz and Gospel music, but for various reasons had to put her musical career on hold. Now she is back and in tremendous form, and I hope will travel out from her London home some more in the future. An Arts Council sponsored UK tour is in the offing! She was wonderfully accompanied on the day by Zane, who else!

On the CD front this week 2 recordings of more traditional style jazz (you will notice that I didn't use the word Trad!).

The first is another of those Lake record re issues, this time by clarinet cult figure of the 50's, Cy Laurie. Cy really did have a dedicated following for his Johnny Dodd's style of clarinet. He had his own club (Mac's in Great Windmill Street) which presented his style of jazz 6 nights a week. In the end (well, middle really) he "Disappeared" and took himself off to India for spiritual reflection (long before the Beatles did the same). He did re appear, but kept his head down.

The Lake release features a 1992 recording of him, with almost his original line up, playing what, in effect, is the Louis Armstrong song book (Oriental Strut, King of the Zulus, Dippermouth Blues et al), The band play tight ensemble stuff, a little freer than Colyer would have done, but with Cy sounding very like Johnny Dodd's.
If you are a fan of 1920,30's jazz, this is for you. LACD156.

The other recording (available again on CD) is by that amazing non player of the guitar, Eddie Condon. "Jammin at Condon's" has some of his buddies (including Bud Freeman, Wild Bill Davison, Cutty Cutshall) playing traditional tunes, but in that laid back relaxed style that was typically "Chicago". So laid back at the end of "How Come You Do Me Like You Do", (a 12 minute investigation!), that Condon shouts out,"not bad for a bunch of strolling players"! Not bad indeed. They are all so on top of their craft that it sound completely effortless. Recorded in 1954, the sound quality is really very good mono!! A 2 CD version of this and other wonderful music can be ordered from HMV for £18.99 try CCL7526.2

Well, that's it for this week. Don't forget that I'm running a Jazz Christmas Party at The Old Bell on Tuesday December 20th, tickets from me at £10 include a buffet at half time.

TTFN

Geoff C
http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com/