Hedsor Jazz

Last week had the FIRST night of jazz from the Clive Burton Celebration Quintet. Lester Brown trumpet, Mike Wills reeds, Nigel Fox keyboard, John Monney bass and Martin Hart Drums. It was a really good start, with some new tunes and some old familiar ones too, but with a bite and a swing, and warmth and melody as well. It was well attended and it was great to see the room beginning to look full. Lets hope we can keep it that way. It was good have see Jan Burton with us at this new start.

One of the innovations we are taking at Hedsor for jazz nights is moving the tables nearer the band to encourage a gangway behind the chairs that used to be against the long wall. This will also enable us to create a more jazz club like appearance to the place. I know it isn’t to everyone’s liking, but change is taking place with new people coming in and we old hands must welcome new ones even though it inevitably becomes less comfortable and less familiar for us. “Everything Must Change” says the song. Some of the changes have been forced on us and I am as saddened as anyone by the loss of old friends and faces. It IS painful, and we must try and help old and new alike to come and enjoy this vibrant music and help to keep it alive.

The first poster for the first jazz night in 2002

Lester was delighted to become part of the band. He said to me that he was honoured to be invited to join it. He will be with us on alternate Thursdays, which gives us able opportunity to vary the guests we have alongside the regular band.

Pictures below from the night are from Geoff Swaffield.

It was a sad necessity last year with Clive often not well enough to be with us that we frequently had to have different jazz forms, and it has proved to be something people like. The variety of sessions as well as the quality of the music has been favourably commented on by a number of our regulars.

This coming week our Thursday session will have another first. Julian Marc Stringle, the renowned clarinettist who has played with EVERYONE including the Spice Girls as well as Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen is coming to keep Mike Wills company in the front line. Do join us, usual start time of 8.30pm and entry fee of just £7!

I now have details on Margaret Kape’s funeral from her daughter Kate:-

Mums funeral will be at Slough Crematorium, 12th Feb, 10.30am and afterwards at the Fifield Inn (subject to them confirming with me) which was always a favourite pub of hers, as you all used to play wonderful Jazz there. 

The reference is to “all” is for the band. Century Jazz used to play at The Fifield Inn every Sunday night! Many of you will remember Margaret as our pianist Zane Cronje’s partner in those days that now seem so long ago.

COMING GIGS

February 1^st The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet

February 8^th Alan Grahame with Mike Wills and the rhythm section

February 15^th The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet

February 22^nd Sue Greenway with Mike Wills and the rhythm section