Its blog time again, with little new to report, but we are edging closer to Hedsor Jazz’s “trial” run on May 20^th. Hopefully you now have your invitation to this. We were over subscribed, so if you weren’t fortunate enough (or quick enough) to get a place this time, remember that the following week, May 27^th, we will be launching a return event. As this is still under the covid rule of 30 at an indoor event, please ensure you have your name down with Tracy ( tracy.georgiades@gmail.com ) for each week you want to come. After May 20^th we will be charging at the door, but there will be a limit on audience numbers, and those who don’t pre book MAY be turned away.

For those with an invitation to May 20^th do remember that we will be starting on that night at 8pm. After that we will be reverting to our previous normal time of 8.30pm. That is the time the music starts of course, the bar will be open earlier, and the earlier time on the 20^th will be allowing time for unforeseen snags and for greeting each other (at a distance) after 14 months!

Martin Hart has been busy, and below is a pretty interesting gig list.

20^th May      Lester Brown + Kelvin Christian + Ken McCarthy + Peter Hughes + Martin Hart

27^th May      Stuart Henderson + Duncan Lamont jr + Ken McCarthy + Terry Davis + Martin Hart

  3^rd June      Lester Brown + Mark Aston + Esther  Ng + Martin Hart

10^th June      Alan Graham  + Mike Wills(? hopefully) + Martin Hart

17^th June      Ian Smith + Ollie Wilby + Nigel Fox +  Martin Hart

Hopefully by June 24^th there will be less need for social distancing, and we can get back to how things were.

Can I thank everyone for your continuing support of Hedsor Jazz.  It has become a bit like an extended family, and we do want to get back to regular, unhindered, jazz sessions. More than ever, we need to encourage others to join our jazz sessions. This will ensure continuance, additional star guests, and a bigger presence on the jazz club scene.

More Jazz Past

I pulled out a CD the other evening, thinking that it was fairly new to me. I have always loved the duets that Alan Barnes plays with Dave Newton. They studied together at The Leeds Music  Collage in 1977, and have had a particular affinity shown in their music. Both musicians have an identifiable voice, but when just the two of them play together their is an understanding of each other that is almost twin like.

 

So I pulled out “Inside Out”, enjoying that cohesion. Chick Corea’s “Windows”, Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom” ,Bill Evans “Very Early” all smoothed out my day. Then I caught site of the date it was recorded, and I could not believe that this “new” addition to my collection was gathered in 2011!

On the same evening I was leafing through the booklet that came with the Billy Holiday limited edition of the complete commodore and Decca masters.

 

This is really a box set disguised as a book, with 3 cd’s of some of the greatest and most poignant songs ever sung between 1939 and 1950. With the convenience of smart phones to hand, I idly decided to see if you could still purchase this.

You can, BUT Amazon want £370 for it. I was GOBSMACKED!