Its blog day again, and I have a number of things to write about!

Hedsor Jazz is financially supported by “Jazz Angels”. This is a private organisation founded to help to keep live jazz alive in the South Bucks area. It is funded by voluntary donations. Below is a message from its treasurer Mr John Dutton.

Dear Jazz Angels,

I hope you are all well and coping with the current and very miserable lockdown situation. As the “Angels” treasurer I felt an urgent need to make contact with as many of you as possible to offer my sincere thanks for your continued financial support. Each and every one of your monthly contributions have without doubt kept our finances on an even keel and removed future financial uncertainties. Despite having e-addresses and phone numbers for some of you, I hope that by using Geoff’s excellent blog I will be able to reach you all. Once again, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. Stay safe and well.

John Dutton

If you would like more information about Jazz Angels you can email him on john.dutton16@googlemail.com

The current situation regarding live anything, little own live Jazz at Hedsor, is complicated and uncertain. BUT, and it is a big BUT, we are planning to have A LIMITED live jazz event at The Hedsor Club on Thursday December 17^th. THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC EVENT as such, but will be open to 25 people. We do have a number of people who have already volunteered for this trial event, but if you haven’t yet done so and would like to be considered for a place, please send all your contact details (for covid tracing) to Tracy Georgiades  (tracy.georgiades@gmail.com). There is NO Guarantee that it will take place, or if it does that you will get an invitation. PLEASE DO NOT COME IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL INVITATION. I will blog more about this at a later date.

One of the doubts about running even a limited edition of Hedsor Jazz is even if the current lockdown situation is lifted on December 2^nd, we will perhaps go back to the level system. When the lockdown was reintroduced Hedsor was on level 1, which would allow us to do what we plan. If Hedsor (or YOU) are “upgraded” to level 2, then the event can’t happen, OR YOU can’t travel to it. So, cross your fingers that all is fine, as the Quintet booked to come out that night are all well know to us and it will be deep joy to see them all again. Confirmed for this trial run so far are Kelvin Christian (sax), Lester Brown trumpet, Peter Hughes bass, and Martin Hart, drums and leader of the band!

More information on the level of covid 19 infections in your area can be had from the BBC News website, but today the local most recent info posted at 8:07 today Tuesday 17.11.2020:-

Coronavirus: Confirmed cases in Berkshire

The latest number of cases of Covid-19 has been confirmed as 14,498 in Berkshire.

The figure is up by 1,599 cases since Sunday.

The breakdown of figures by local authority area is:

Slough - 3,715

West Berkshire - 1,825

Wokingham - 2,273

Reading - 2,592

Windsor and Maidenhead - 2,588

Bracknell Forest - 1,505

Now on to other things!

My YouTube finds this week are wonderful. I had dug out a DVD that I had had in the cupboard for some time of various excerpts of Louis Armstrong on TV. At the end of one of the songs they ran the credits, and the American program had been sponsored by Timex. Yes, they make watches. BUT in 1957 they sponsored a prime time TV program. So I YouTubed it, and Lo and behold (well it is nearly Christmas) there are hours of 1957/8 and 9 jazz programs to watch

Start with https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=timex+all+star+jazz+show+

But do check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVpYSB_7LI8&t=2130s

This is a great lecture featuring Louis Armstrong with extracts from the Timex shows, with explanations as to who and why.

BBC 4 made efforts to entertain us again this week, with programs on Ronnie Scott’s club, Ella Fitzgerald and more. I have yet to really settle down to watching them, as I recorded the evening, but you may be able to pick up again via BBC iPlayer, although the Ronnie Scott isn’t showing up yet on iPlayer as I type!

Well I think that is about it for today.

Keep safe, and if you want to tell me about your week and wants try emailing me on octogeoff@outlook.com

 

I do not promise to solve any of your problems….but you may solve mine!

 

Geoff