The excitement is building! We have navigated our way passed Black Friday and Cyber Monday but we still have a few things to anticipate. The quickening of the pulse CAN carry on, the slowly rising thrill of coming events is ever growing.

Do I mean the Election….NO.

But I do mean the last 3 weeks of Hedsor Jazz 2019.

And the first of the those 3?

This week on Thursday December 5^th we have back with us at Hedsor Jazz trumpet player and raconteur Ian Smith together with saxophonist Ollie Wilby.

Last time at Hedsor they played some truly wonderful jazz for us. Those of you who saw Ian again with Martin Hart at Woodley will have also enjoyed the rapport Ian had with pianist Ken McCarthy, and I can reassure you that that will again be possible this Thursday at Hedsor, BECAUSE Ken is our pianist again for this week.

For the Thursday of 2019’s election night (December 12^th)we have organised a suitable diversion. Yes, go and vote by all means, but DO come out to Hedsor Jazz whilst we all wait with eager……(now what is the word I’m looking for, I am tempted to say “dread”!!) for the result. December 10^th could well be remembered for an amazing night of manouche!  Gypsy Jazz but played without a gypsy in sight! Guitarist Jezz Cook and our long established reed section Mike Wills will be entertaining us alongside our regular Hedsor Jazz Rhythm section.

And finally our last session before 2020 will be our Christmas Party. All you need to do is buy a ticket and all the info is on the poster! Tina May with Duncan Lamont Jnr plus our rhythm and possibly some other sitters in, so do join us for a fun night of jazz to prep the way to Christmas. One special addition to our party this year, a special paid for raffle has been arranged, and all takings from that will be going to Cancer Research UK.

Last week we were entertained by saxophonist Frank Griffith accompanied by Lester Brown. A solid session of modern jazz with a few, perhaps less than modern, jokes throw in. Also “thrown in” were quite a number of Christmas quotes (but we wont tell the copyright companies if you don’t! Otherwise 4 people may be in for a spot of bother!). I think everyone left with a smile on their face, it was great fun, and I think Frank had the longest commute for this gig ever, he came down from Liverpool especially for it!

My photos of the evening are below.