First let me say again how sad I feel at having to cancel the concert that was planed at Cores End Church for October 14th. I really hope that we will have the opportunity of putting on further music at that venue. In the meantime do let people know that it has been cancelled.

We still have some excellent music to look forward to this week. Tonight Al (yes "Al") Nicholls and his quintet will be playing at The Bourne End (Bucks) Community Centre bar, as one of Mo's "Centre Jazz" nights. The entry fee of £3 includes not only a raffle ticket, but also a light snack at half time. This event is underwritten by The Bourne End Community Association. Wouldn't it be great if other associations did the same!

Wednesday night, if you fancy a trip to Farnham in Surrey, you can catch Century Jazz with that wonderful singer Lynn Garner.

Thursday night at the, now famous, Hedsor Social Club, we have a regular Clive Burton Quintet from 8.30pm, £3 entry, raffle exit!

One future event to look forward to, on Eddie Fowler's promo list (Eddie was with us last week at Hedsor) is an evening of contemporary jazz on Thursday 26th October at the British Legion Hall in Princes Risborough. Some more details of this are above in the pictures section!

What have I listened too this week?

Well, as well as my usual crop of singers (one reviewed below!) was a CD by a trio with a slightly unusual combination of instruments.

As a long defunct trumpet blower myself, I am fully aware that it is not an easy instrument to hide with!! So when someone does a whole CD with trumpet, bass and guitar, you are putting yourself at high risk. I was delighted to hear Chris Hodgkins was very well practiced, and has produced a beautiful, light, set of music on a CD called "Present Continuous". For the last 20 years Chris has been the director of Jazz Services Ltd, but he has obviously kept up the practice. The guitarist is Max Brittain (often to be seen locally) and together with lady bass player Alison Rayner, they make an excellent job of some light, slightly "late night", music. Tunes include "Let's get Lost", "Mainstem", "Stalking", "Look for a Silver Lining" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", a really wide program choice that really comes off. It can be found (if searched for, Smith's wont have it !), on Bell CDs BELLCD 511 (you could try http://www.chrishodgkins.co.uk/).

The other CD is more mature (By 7 years) from Colin Towns' Mask Quintet with Maria Pia De Vito. Its called "Still Life" and its on Provocateur Records. This is a "modern" modern jazz record that I found quite breathtaking in its scope. It has some marvellous musicians taking part (see picture above again for more details), and on 2 tracks has a full orchestral setting as well. With people like Julian Arguelles, and John Parricelli on board with Maria's clear soprano voice, the overall effect is stunning. If you are prepared to get towards the edge of your known musical box, give this one a try!

That's it for now,

TTFN

Geoff C