Geoffs jazz blog is back to normal. I have returned from my holiday break, have now left the cough and cold behind, and am looking forward to more live jazz.

This week that bit of live jazz will be really cool live jazz!

 

Both Al Nicholls and James Fenn have been associated with Hedsor Jazz over many years, and it is really very pleasing to get them both to us again.

Last week, I searched the net for live jazz in the Cotswolds, but couldn’t find any. You at Hedsor had the full Tracy Mendham experience, with trumpeter Ian Smith in attendance as well. The line-up was completed by Nigel Fox on keyboard and Steve Riddle on bass with drummer Simon Price depping for an unwell Martin Hart at short notice. Its a real pity I missed this gig, but you would none of you have liked my cold, cause I didn't! 

The photos come courtesy of Peter England, who took your money last week. He may also do it this week as Tracy G was in France the last time I had email contact with her.

Ian with drummer Simon Price depping at short notice

Next week is the first gig of July (6^th) and will be led by Duncan Lamont Jr, see poster jpeg below.

 

 

Perhaps sadly I will then be missing again for a week, as on my way back from Swanage I am going to visit Ken Rankine’s sister on Portland. Sufficient time has now gone by such that many of you will not know that Ken was our regular bass player for over 17 years up until his death in 2016. He had a house and family on Portland in Dorset with whom I try to keep in touch.

The late Ken Rankine

 

You might like to acquaint yourselves with the Swanage Jazz Festival program. I understand a lot of it is now sold out, but even strolling the streets of Swanage over the festival weekend you will get you to hear lots of super jazz music. Follow the link for the full colour program!

https://swanagejazzfestival.co.uk/main-programme-2023/

You may or may not get a blog and or reminder of what’s on at Hedsor Jazz over the next 2 weeks, but please bear in mind that we are at the Hedsor Bar EVERY Thursday, with top quality modern jazz. If you have recently been to other jazz venues you will realize that out entry fee of £10 is a bargain, so please do your best to support this quality local weekly jazz event.

Other local jazz venues are around, the nearest being Bourne End Social Clubs monthly event on the first Tuesday of each month and Marlow Jazz Club also on a Tuesday evening, see  https://www.marlowjazz.co.uk/JUNEWEBSITE.pdf

We are fortunate in this area to have so much great jazz available to us. Whereas the Cotswolds, beautiful though it is, seems to have very little.