KEN RANKINE

It is with great sadness and regret that I have to tell you that Ken died peacefully this morning at about 4am at his new home in Weymouth. He was with the nursing staff who had looked after him for the past week or so.

I am sure we will all miss him, and want to remember him both as a friend and as a wonderful bass player. More details of a time when we can all share our memories of him will come later. In the meantime we must remember in our thoughts and prayers his long term partner Sue, and his sister Linda who are both currently in Portland.

Please let others know of his passing, and of any further information that may come via blog or email from me.

Geoff Cronin

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

KEN

Only a few words of blog from me this week.

I am still basically house bound, with the prospect of another hospital visit to be looked forward to (yes, I do mean looked forward to, as a resolution of my current problems would be very welcome)!

I gather that last Thursdays evening with Al Nicholls was a big success. One of the nurses who dealt with me last Thursday in A&E knew of “Blue Harlem” a band that Al runs! It’s a small world, as she was also involved in Motor Car Racing (another activity I used to be involved with).

As mentioned a few blogs ago, our Christmas Special this year is on December 22^nd. I am delighted to announce that we will have a very special guest with us for this party. Trombonist Roy Williams, ex Alex Welsh, Ex Humphrey Lyttelton is coming to keep Clive Company. A few other surprise guest may well also appear, so do please ensure you put this date in your diary NOW so that you don’t forget to come!

By now, you will be aware that we have had to increase our usual weekly entry fee. Hedsor Jazz is available to you now for the still very manageable sum of £7.

Roy Williams at Swanage this year

OK, keep the live jazz flag flying whilst I’m away.

Geoff C

Hedsor Jazz and All That

This week we have our usual quintet at Hedsor, and I must say that last week they were very good with tight ensembles and good tunes played! I'm sure this week will be of similar quality so do yourselves a favour etc etc!

Al Nicholls

Next week (September 22^nd) Hedsor Jazz will have a very special guest. Saxophonist Al Nichols of Blue Harlem fame (http://www.alnicholls.co.uk) is coming to join Clive and the band. Al has been a featured guest of the band since Century Jazz days, and it will be a super evening I’m sure. Sadly, I wont be able to see him as I have an appointment with a surgeon on Monday 19^th September!!

As you heard last week, the rent we pay for the room has been increased. After discussions with Jazz Angels treasurer John Dutton it has been decided that from the beginning of October (Thursday 7^th) after many years of a £6 entry fee, we are going to have to increase our entrance charge to £7. To somewhat offset this, we will no longer be passing the pot round for voluntary room rent contributions.

Hedsor Jazz sessions are still incredibly good value, the entry fee includes our wonderful raffle, free car parking and candlelight as well as quality live modern jazz.

Sarah Moule

John Coverdale and Nigel Fox

Cores End Church. An Engraving circa 1982

Away from Hedsor, but not that far away, coming up this Saturday September 17^th Cores End Church in Bourne End is hosting a jazz concert featuring singer Sarah Moule. Also taking part will be Mark Aston on saxophone, John Coverdale on guitar, Nigel Fox on keyboard, John Monney on bass and Mike Jeffries on drums. Originally this had been planed with Ken Rankine and the line up chosen by him but sadly he wont be able to be with us. 

Ken Rankine

Ken is still in Dorchester General Hospital and may soon be transferred to a hospice.

Since the stroke he had 3 week ago he has lost a lot of his ability to communicate, being unable to use his phone, read, or enjoy his Walkman. I hope to record the concert at Cores End and eventually get it to him so that he can hear the concert that he helped to set up.

Tickets for this concert are still available. If you come to Hedsor this week, I still have a few, but sales will continue at the Bourne End Gifts and Card Shop and also on the door on the night. The £10 ticket also includes a glass of wine at half time, and some nibbles to go with it.

So, whilst the music is still available and you can still hear it, why not keep supporting live jazz.

See you next time.

Geoff C

After some summer weeks of jazz excitement, we are back to our “normal” quartet this week. No, it wont be an anticlimax, but this week we will have the added comfort of Mike Wills familiar face, and multi reed musicianship!!

Tracey and Mike in August this year

The past few of week have included Tracey Mendham, Stuart Henderson with “Tolly”, and then, last week, Simon Spillett.

Stuart and Tolly with Clive and Tina May, Christmas 2013

Simon Spillett with Clive at Christmas 2008

It just goes to show that our “little” jazz enterprise at Hedsor does attract some pretty wonderful musicians. We know how good The Clive Burton Quintet is, the world knows how good Simon Spillett is and they are beginning to discover Stuart and Tolly, but all the above enjoy the atmosphere of Hedsor Jazz, and come and play for a very small amount of money.

Coming soon is another saxophonist who has been associated with the band in all its forms for a long time. I first saw him at The Cookham Tavern (now a Costa Coffee Shop) back in the 1990’s and I saw Al Nicholls last at The Swanage Jazz Festival, where he had the fabulous trombone player (from the Alex Welsh and Humphrey Lyttleton Bands) Roy Williams alongside him.

He will be coming to join Clive Burton and the rest of our band on September 22^nd. Al was featured on the double CD album that was recorded at Norden Farm Arts Centre in a concert that was a tribute to the late Keith Vitty.

Before Al’s reunion with the band on the 22nd, but not at Hedsor, we have some familiar faces playing and supporting the wonderful singer Sarah Moule. On Saturday September 17^th a very special concert will be played at Cores End United Reformed Church, Bourne End, from 8pm, see advert below.

For me and for most of those taking part, it will be bitter sweet. It was originally arranged with Ken Rankine, who as most of you now know, is terminally ill and in hospital in Dorchester General Hospital in Dorset. He chose the band and the singer. I would like as many of you who can come to come and enjoy the evening and silently pay tribute to Ken by enjoying the music he enjoyed being part of. 

Tickets (£10 each) are available from me at Hedsor on a Thursday, or from The Bourne End Gifts and Cards Shop. Do let people know about this event and help us fill this Georgian church. The acoustics are pretty good, and Mark Aston, the leader of the band on the night, has arranged a great program.

TTFN (look it up!),

Geoff C