Very soon, I shall be disappearing for a few weeks to (eventually) land up at The Swanage Jazz Festival. This is THE one I have been going to, through thick and thin, for over 20 years. It becomes an annual old boys reunion, meeting friends one only see's once a year. But we have all done so for over 20 years.

I am aware that I haven't blogged for a while, apart from the odd advert for Hedsor (which will be on every Thursday I'm away don't forget). So I thought I would at least suggest this week a CD that you really ought to search out.

I don't know about you, but I don't get to play all of my collection every week. Or even, every year! Whilst looking for something else, I found this 1993 CD of The Newport Jazz Festival AllStars led by George Wein. Why did I put it into the reserve stock area? Listening to it this evening showed me once again why I bought it. Great names from the swing era of jazz, great tunes too. And it really does swing. Take a listen (if you can still find the CD on Ebay) to Duke Ellington's "What Am I Here For" and you will hear what it IS to swing. Other tunes by other jazz greats, here played by 9 jazz greats. "Swing That Music", 'Tain't What You Do,(It's The Way That You Do It)" plus 9 others, played by some who were the stalwarts of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras. Honestly, it is well worth the search.Columbia CK 53317

Another CD listened to recently, kindly on loan from its the owner, was the Hot Club of Detroit. A Gypsy Jazz Orchestra par excellence. It is well recorded, has some great tunes, and is incredibly well played. It brings back memories of the 78's produced by Django Reinhardt and Colman Hawkins in 1938 ish France. Its crisp, lightly swinging (no drummer)and you can find out more about it (and buy it after a sample of the music) if you follow the link

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Club-Detroit/dp/B000GEU6K4

OK, I may get a chance to add to this blog before Swanage breaks out, but if I don't, I hope to see many of you there. And for those of you who aren't, keep live jazz alive by going out to it somewhere near you. Even to Hedsor!

TTFN