Geoff's Nag this week will be like a game of two haves, except it may be three!

First Half, The Weeks Gigs.

TONIGHT (4.9.07)

At Bourne End Community Centre from 8.30 pm, singer Tricia Bassett will be there to entertain you, ably supported by Zane Cronje on keyboards, and a fully sustaining rhythm section. Entry is £4, and includes a raffle ticket AND a light supper.

Wednesday

I'm not sure if there is Jazz at The King and Castle in Windsor, but if it is on (Al Nichols was there last week) it starts at 6.30 pm. I'm told its a very comfortable gig, and you can get food there to.

Thursday

Is also now more comfortable than ever before, because the bar at The Hedsor Social Club has had a replacement for its bench seating!! There is now a very snazzy selection of red soft seating, which should be even more of an encouragement for you to come and try it out. AND this Thursday you could take in the mellifluous sounds, and musical experience of John Rolls. Now somewhere in his 80's, John still manages to sound remarkably like Stan Getz. Not as fast a fingerer as Simon Spillett (arthritic fingers slow him down these days) but he has great understanding of the ballad and a lifetime in the music business. It all starts at 8.30 pm, it will cost you a minimum of £3 each to get in, (pay at the Red Box) and the event is also supported by a raffle (which is so good, many only come for the that!).

Sunday

At The Fifield Inn another wonderful saxophonist joins with Clive Burton, Peter Cook. Those who have already heard him will need no further encouragement to turn out, those who haven't...WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? The gig starts at 8pm, food is available, and the event is totally supported by a raffle.

The Second Half ...Comment

I haven't had the opportunity this last week to comment about the wonderful evening we had at Hedsor with the young Greek saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. Already becoming well known on the UK jazz circuit, I think he will become a major player in the jazz world. He has all the technical ability any musician could need, he has the knack of feeling out the groove notes in any piece, and then milking them for all their worth, and he has a sense of humour as well. Yes, we were packed out, but the new seating at Hedsor managed to help us listen in comfort, and yes HE WILL BE BACK. Perhaps sooner than you think, because on MONDAY 17th September he will be performing alongside guitarist James Fenn in the opening Guitar Jazz night of the Autumn series. PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY NOW. And put the £5 to one side to get you in!

I want to reassure all who support the jazz events that I do, that we are dedicated to keeping the musical standards high, and coming in the next few weeks you will see again Simon Spillett, Peter Cook, John Coverdale and many more. One or two of you have mentioned how good the product is at Hedsor and Fifield. One person said "I could pay £15 in London and get worse music". We intend to keep to that ethic.

The Third Half ....Home Listening

I had the joy of sharing a listening session with musician and artist Keith Wilkins last week. Two cds from his bag gave me great joy.

The Howard Alden Trio with Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache is a fairly early Concord Jazz album (1989) and shows Howard's ability very well, on tunes Duke Ellington's "Purple Gazelle" and Charlie Parker's "Back Home Blues". With the afore mentioned are Mel Lewis on drums and Lynn Seaton on bass. Do look out for it, Concord CCD 4378

Another of Keith's choice sharings was "HARRY CONNICK jr. OCCASION". With Harry is another New Orleans veteran, Branford Marsalis on various saxophones. Recorded in 2005, all of the songs were written either by Branford, or Harry themselves. As a set of duets, they are excellent. Its on marsalis music/rounder 11661-3313-2. I can only wonder at the filing system that needs that number of digits to find the item!

My "riposte" to Keith's selection was an album that I don't think is available any more. I only ever had it on Vinyl, and it was only ever issued in mono, but back in 1962 Tony Coe and John Picard had a super group with Colin Purbrook piano, Spike Heatley bass and Derek Hogg drums. They made a number of Jazz Club Broadcasts and eventually they recorded a 12" LP on the Phillips label called "Swingin' till the girls come home". "Sunday Morning", Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams", "Blue Lou" are just three from an extremely good British Jazz LP. Why did we ever think we weren't good enough, and why, Oh why, have we never given Tony Coe the place in Jazz that he deserves.

Well, there you have it, as I said, a game of two halves, just like the telly!

TTFN

Geoff C