There are always things to look forward to at HEDSOR JAZZ.

This week (June 27th) is no exception, except that we only have recommendations, not actual previous experience, for this weeks front pairing.

Trumpeter Ian Smith and saxophonist Ollie Wilby.

If you look back to one of my May blogs you will see that they both have good cv’s. Duncan Lamont Jr recommended Ollie, and last weeks tenor man Kelvin Christiane had praise for Ian. To back those at the front we have Ken McCarthy on keyboard, Martin on drums and a bass player new to Hedsor, Thomas Pedersen from Denmark.

So a Thursday night session full of promise, and all for £7 entry.

For your £7 last week we had a real treat. After all the confusion of bass players names and a trumpet guest who will be with us on another occasion, but sadly wasn’t with us last week, we had not only Kelvin, who stuck to his tenor sax all evening, but a really fine trombone player, NICK MILLS. It was a really good session, with a front line combination that we haven’t had too frequently since dear Clive left us for his place in a higher plane brass band! I was apprehensive, as Jan was with us, but it all passed off very well indeed, and Jan enjoyed it very much. Nick is a fine trombone player, and we will undoubtedly have him again. It was refreshing to hear that trombone/sax sound again at Hedsor Jazz, and Nick introduced us to some new tunes, which was very refreshing.

I had a phone conversation with saxophonist Frank Griffith last week, and can give you advance notice that he will be with us on November 28^th. Frank now lives in Liverpool, so we will be included in his Autumn tour! He did point out that my blog, and much of our online advertisements, don’t mention Hedsor Clubs post code. Just for the record it is SL8 5ES. I hope that helps all the people to navigate their bus to us now. We have often wondered why it never got to us in the past!

I want to look back now to that great session we had with Nigel Price and John Donegan on June 13^th. I quoted (or more probably paraphrased) one of our audience for that night. No, he didn’t take offence, but he did email me a great write up about his view of the evening, so here it is….in full!

“I am not usually rendered (almost) speechless, but last night's gig I was!  It was a truly awesome performance - and I do mean AWESOME - the artistry, creativity and technical skills involved had to be seen (and heard) to be believed. Nigel Price demonstrated phenomenal technique and achieved what I, as a lifelong guitar enthusiast, thought to be impossible. John Donegan, not to be outdone, also contributed some incredible piano work, the speed of which was mind-boggling.   Stuart Barker on bass almost played out of his skin - nice work. Martin Hart rose to the occasion with some very tasty drum fills. I, for one, will be remembering this night of superb musicianship for a long time to come.

I said earlier that I would be stuck for words - I lied! 

Regards Alan Peppett”

I would also like to mention that Alan was told last week by his oncologist that he is now completely clear of the cancer that he has been treated for for the last 5 years. It is just wonderful to hear news like that.

One final retrospective of that session with John Donegan and Nigel Price.

John had his new cd with him that night, and I have now had a chance to really listen to it. Called “Siamsa Vol1” it is a collection of Contemporary Compositions inspired by his Irish Roots. I enjoyed it very much. No it isn’t Bop, but it does have some great female voice from Catherine Donegan, and some superb soprano sax from Tommaso Starace. All the compositions are by John, and obviously his piano playing is fully featured too. The album title gives a clue to there being another to follow. Do check it out via his web page:- www.johndoneganjazz.com