Its time for another ramble through Geoff's jazz countryside, which unfortunately this year has seen a certain amount of cutting back!!

However there are still goodies for you to exercise your ears with, and your toes if your a taper!!

TOMORROW, 16th February at The Hedsor Social Club we have SIMON SPILLETT with the Clive Burton Quintet. This is a raffle supported gig, we hope you will "donate" at least a £5, but at least the drinks are at club prices! It starts at 8.30pm, and if you haven't been (and I know some of you haven't!), the friendly atmosphere and wonderful music will give you a warm welcome.

On SATURDAY 18th, Toby Cruse and his Manhattan Swing Orchestra invite you to a function at Ballinger Village Hall, do look at his poster (jpg attached), and get along if you can. NB For blogg lookers, I cant get the poster to paste, if you wish to purchase tickets contact 01628 530068. Its a dinner dance and they are £25 each.

Talking of local musicians, I met saxophonist Peter Ripper in the gym this morning, and he is doing remarkably well following on from last years accident. As he said himself, "I can do things again now that I couldn't do last year". Well, one of those things is playing for "Manhattan Swing" and he will be there on Saturday. He also told me that The "Echoes of Ellington" Orchestra, of which he is also a member, are playing next week at Ronnie Scott's club. If you have never seen that orchestra, its one of the things you MUST do before you die, honest. They are just great.

Talking of great, leads me on to my CD listens of the week:-

Not new issues, but still available are a couple of late period Stan Getz albums that I rate as his best work (alongside the Glasgow Concert). Issued with 2 years between them, but recorded on the same night at The Montmartre Club in Copenhagen, "Anniversary" and "Serenity" have all of the nights work of July 6th 1987. And what work it is! With Stan Getz are Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass and Victor Lewis on drums. Tunes include "I Cant Get started", Stella by Starlight", "On Green Dolphin Street", "Falling in Love", and Strayhorn "Blood Count". They were both released on the EmArcy label, with the above mentioned titles, and numbered 838 769-2 and 838 770-2. I'm sure the numbering system makes sense to someone, but the music will certainly make sense to YOU!

Another listen this week to another Scottish musician, trumpeter Colin Steel. He is together here with Julian Arguelles on sax, Dave Milligan piano, Brian Shiels bass and John Rae drums. Its good modern post bop bop if you see what I mean. Its not too avant guard, and it IS wonderfully played, and OK all the tunes are their own, but you may think you've heard the chords before! It was recorded in September 2000 and is available on the Scottish label Caber as number 024.

Well that's it for this week, but if anyone knows of some accommodation available for the Swanage Jazz Festival (preferably IN Swanage!), do let me know, as I have so far been unable to find a single room for July 7th, 8th and 9th! What price success, when the best jazz festival in the uk sells out all the accommodation 4 months before the event!!

TTFN

Geoff C