Coming to Hedsor Jazz THIS THURSDAY, March 2^nd 

are 

The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet.

 

Time does fade the memory, but the house band at Hedsor Jazz used to be that led by Clive Burton, a trombonist who was joined most weeks at the front line by saxophonist Mike Wills.

Clive Burton with Ken Rankine

Sadly Clive died in 2017 of lymphatic cancer and a tribute quartet was formed to come together to play occasionally at Hedsor the tunes that Clive liked to play. So this week, that ensemble will be at Hedsor, with Lester Brown, a trumpet player, taking on the trombone role Clive would have played and Mike Wills will be with him as show above from one of last years gigs.

So will our drummer Martin Hart, who took over leadership of the band at Hedsor when Clive died. Martin is now the only survivor of the Celebration Quintet to play regularly at Hedsor. Many who now come to listen at Hedsor Jazz didn’t know Clive at all but Clive's musical legacy still carries on with other fine musicians taking over the creative roles.

Some who come and play for us Thursday by Thursday Clive would have played with too, but some he didn’t meet, and it is a real pleasure to find new names to place before you. Coming in March is one such, Frank Walden a saxophonist who is coming to play alongside guitarist James Fenn. A superb combination of the up and coming generation of players.

Also coming soon is Alam Nathoo who will also be with us in March. A saxophonist who was nominated as a rising star in 2009.

There is a special star (who used to be rising) coming to Hedsor in March. No, he isn’t a falling star. He used to only be rising, but now he has really risen! And as a real star he works most days of the week. Vasilis Xenopoulos is coming to us on March 16^th to play alongside trumpeter Stuart Henderson.  Yes Vasilis is also doing Ronnie Scotts this month too, but at Hedsor the entry fee and the  liquid refreshment are so much cheaper! See his dates at https://vasilisxenopoulos.com/new-events

Stuart is an old friend of Hedsor Jazz, and knew Clive very well as they both lived in Reading. I for one dont take Stuarts star status for granted, he is an exceptional player. So March 16th should be a pretty special night. 

Keep an eye on this blog. Blink and lethargy will prevent you from hearing great live jazz at the incredibly value price of just £10 per head. Definitely not price matched to Lidl!

Last week we had a couple of guys that Clive would have known well. Al Nicholls on tenor sax and Max Brittain on guitar. And didn’t they do well!?

For the first half of the first set Max had to be not only guitarist, but bass player as well, as the nominated bass player for the evening didn’t know that he had won the prized Hedsor place that week.

Peter Hughes answered his phone and left the football game he was watching and got to us before the end of the first set. If you had been listening during this set with closed eyes, you would not have noticed the rearrangement, Max did a Brilliant job of playing the bass parts during piano sequences. Well done all. It’s amazing what a Gibson guitar can do! Especially when played by a musician of Max’s calibre.

Pictures from last week below

 

Do keep coming to Hedsor Jazz, and do tell your friends. Tell them of the high quality of music they will hear live at Hedsor. And it is unexpected, because it is live and because it is JAZZ!

Did you know that a blog a week helps you work, rest and sleep?

Well, it might not keep you awake at night, but it will excite you on a Thursday night! But only if you take action and go to Hedsor Jazz!

And this week Hedsor Jazz will definitely keep your feet tapping because we have Al Nicholls and Max Brittain coming to swing you. Both have been friends of Hedsor Jazz for over 20 years, but recently they have been coming together, and that adds up to more than double the impact. Thursday 23^rd February will get you those 2 for £10!!

 

Last week at Hedsor was another bargain. Johhny Thirkle, carbon fibre trumpet and all came with Frank Walden on tenor sax, and a fine evening of modern jazz was had by all with some great tunes being heard including Freddie Hubbards “Little Sunflower” and Herbie Hancocks “Watermelon Man”. Somewhere buried in my collection I have a recording, made I think for the American Library of Congress, of an actual watermelon mans street cry complete with wheel barrow wheel sound effects!

My photos below of last weeks session don’t have a street crier, but they do have Brian the dog.

 

Last week was of course the evening where we asked for funds for the Turkish/Syrian earthquake appeal, and I am pleased to say everyone at Hedsor Jazz was really generous. In all we raised £562, which has already been paid in to the DEC appeal accounts.

I want to thank everyone for their generosity. More money was paid on the door than the number of people present and ALL of the musicians performed without a fee on the night.

It is an interesting to note that that sum almost equals the amount needed for a ShelterBox, see photo below.

 

2 additional things to mention this week.

 

TONIGHT February 21^st at Marlow Stuart Henderson brings his big band “The Remix Orchestra” to Marlow Jazz Club, held in the Royal British Legion Hall. They may have some return tickets or standing room at the back and side, so if interested do go along. 8.30 start . See also https://www.marlowjazz.co.uk/

 

The second is that I discovered on YouTube this week a Chris Barber Concert filmed for German TV in Frankfurt, probably in the 1970,s from the state of the hair and the video quality.

I always thought that this period of the Barber band was the most exciting, where they crossed jazz, blues and funk together for their first time. Pete York was on drums, and John Crocker on reeds. Fabulous music, and you could only imagine how exciting the live atmosphere must have been. The band were always well rehearsed, but in this performance they had loosened the laces a bit. Wonderful and exciting and a YouTube chunk of history over 1 hour long. Peter Yorks drumming is phenomenal.

Try this for size:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HoFLt6ZPU

Coming to Hedsor Jazz  in March:-

 

I do hope this will encourage YOU and for YOU to bring your friends.

TTFN

Geoff

Blog day, and what a difference a week makes!

Last week I was unable to be at Hedsor, but I am told it was a very enjoyable session provided by The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet, this being led by Lester Brown and “our” Mike Wills. Pictures below are provided by Geoff Swaffield (many thanks Geoff).

BUT one of the big differences this past week has been for the people of Turkey and Syria.

 

Last Monday’s terrible earthquake has devastated the area and also peoples lives. So as we look forward to more enjoyable Hedsor Jazz this week, “Jazz Angels” (the bank account behind the music at Hedsor) has decided that all money taken at the door this week (February 16^th) , usually £10 per person entering, be donated to the relief of the Turkish Earthquake Emergency Appeal. If you would like to give more than the usual £10 this week, we will ensure that it all goes to that relief fund.

What you get in exchange for your generosity will be some superb music provided by Johnny Thirkle trumpet and Frank Walden tenor sax, all backed by Martin Hart and his trio.

 

This week I am pleased to say the trio will include Ken McCarthy back on keyboard. Ken has been much missed these past few weeks caused by a chest infection, and we look forward to seeing him back in the corner behind the keyboard (dare I suggest then that the band play “Corner Pocket”!) .We must however say “thank you” to Nigel Fox, who has been occupying that seat whilst Ken has been absent.

Coming on February 23^rd we have a return of Al Nicholls and Max Brittain. This time I really hope I can be there to hear Al, as in recent months his appearances have coincided with me being in one of Frimley Park Hospital Trusts hospitals!

We have many more good things coming up in the months ahead, just watch this space.

But for now the song would say “let me say I love you”, but all I’m going to say is “bring a friend”!

 

Geoff

A Brief Blog and a few pics from last week.

Sadly I won’t be part of the seated throng at Hedsor Jazz this week, but even without me it will be just like old times.

This Thursday February 9^th we have “The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet”, which means at the front will be our long time associate Mike Wills on reeds coupled with Lester Brown on trumpet, who joined us after Clive past away.

Martin Hart on drums will be providing a trio of backing, and I hope Ken McCarthy will be recovered from his cough and cold to be part of the trio as our keyboard player. Thanks again to Nigel Fox for stepping in during Kens sick leave.

Last weeks session was the first of the year with Duncan Lamont Jr at Hedsor Jazz, accompanied as he often is by Mike Innes on trombone. Duncan was surprised that the room had done a phase shift, but he seemed to think it was more friendly 90 degrees from the way he saw it last.

My photos are below.

 

Dont forget that Marlow Jazz has restarted, having taken a break in January. On Tuesday 21^st February they have The Remix Orchestra, led by Stuart Henderson. The following Month they are hosting Simon Spillett with Bruce Adams.

 

 

So, plenty of opportunity for you to help in keeping Live Jazz ALIVE.

 

TTFN

 

Geoff