Doesn’t time fly? I know that as I get older, refreshing sleep does seem to occupy more of the 24 hours allocated to each day than it used to, but somehow I find more things need doing than there is time allowed to do them in!

However, first things second.

Tuesday Night 5^th October. Bourne End Community Centre is hosting JAZZ, led by people we know quite well.

Mike Jeffries sent me this information:-

“"In The Pocket" is a slightly Funky Jazz group run jointly by Mike Wills and myself, we play a variety of stuff with a funky feel as well as a few swingers thrown in, (much like the audience) and you can take that in any way you like!!

We have a slight change to the band this time, instead of Jez Cooke on guitar we have Terry Hutchins who I am sure will fit in like the proverbial glove. The Bass player will be Steve Riddle on Bass Guitar instead of his upright one, which is still in need of repair, any donations to rectify this will be appreciated I am sure, and on Piano and Vocals we have Martin Pickett. It will be great to see as many of you as possible there, the entrance is £7.00 and the gig starts at 8.00.”

Next, Hedsor Jazz this week (on Thursday October 7^th) has a return of  Sue Greenway on reeds. She is joined by Mike Wills also on as many reed instruments as he can carry. Behind them will be Ken McCarthy on keyboard, Terry Davis bass and Martin Hart on drums and occasional microphone.

So two visits to Bourne End for Mike Wills this week!

Last week we had a return visit from someone who now lives locally. Vasilis Xenopouls came with his long time associate, guitarist Nigel Price, to play for us at Hedsor Jazz. Both are now stars in their own right and to get them to come back to Hedsor was really rather special, and my goodness didn’t they play a rather special gig. There were times when the hairs on the back of my neck rose up it was so tingling good.

I had remembered that some years ago they had played for one of my August birthday concerts and on that occasion they played “One Note Samba” as a duet. So I requested it again! Not part of their normal repertoire they had a little discussion as to whether they could do it again, but they did, and it was AMAZING!! Thanks guys. When we have saved up some more pennies we will ask you back again!!

A musician who has entertained people for longer than most is percussionist and vibes player Alan Graham. 

Alan Graham at 94

We celebrated his 94^th birthday earlier in the year just after the lockdown was slightly relaxed. 

On October 14^th we are giving Alan the chance to celebrate again with some of his musical colleges from his long years of being a leader in the music business. When we celebrated his 90^th birthday we had at Hedsor Jazz some of the glitteratzi of the music business with us, and we will just have to see if they are free to come again. We will be providing a buffet, so make a note in your diary to come too. 

Some of the Musicians at Alan's 90th Birthday

It will be the same entry fee as normal, just £10.

One final mention for now.

A new album is being released on October 8^th that I have been invited to pass comment on. As some of you know, I do like lady singers. Yes I know it isn’t a universal taste, but the album being release on Friday is by a pretty (yes she is) good lady singer born in Durham called Jo Harrop. It is an album of songs all composed by her during the last 16 months or so of lockdown.

Many of us have had time to reflect on life and what it all means during this time. We missed friends and family and felt powerless in the face of “that” virus, but Jo used that reflection, and the time of forced inability to sing before an audience to compose an album of reflective songs in a very jazzy idiom. No great extemporised solos from anyone, but great accompaniment with people such as Christian McBride and Jason Rebello throw into the mix. The 13 songs are only of around the 4 minute duration each, and “The Heart Wants” is a good musical reflection on life. She has good diction, and a voice that is a bit like brown coffee! Do look out for it and try and have a listen. It is on a label called Lateralize Records.

But for now its goodbye from me!