After Last Weeks Mammoth Report on the Swanage Jazz Festival

I thought I would keep this weeks read brief!!

Coming to Hedsor Jazz this week, we have a return of Duncan Lamont Jr (did he camp in the bar since last week as he suggested he might?) on Tenor saxophone. He will have with him that lovely lady singer, Sarah Jane Eveleigh. She was with him (and us) back in December 2023, and it will be great to have her back with us again.

Below is the artwork for our August events.

 

If you have the ability, please print off and distribute as widely as you can. We definitely need to boost our audience numbers. When bass players actually say out loud that they don’t know how we can afford them, something needs to change!

Looking further into the year, in September we plan to have a tribute evening for Mike Wills. The suggested date for this is September 19^th so please keep that date free. There are many musicians who would like to pay tribute to Mike, someone who was special to us all at Hedsor Jazz for over 20 years.

 

Keep listening!

 

 

Geoff

       The Swanage Jazz Festival 2024 Report 

                                    Part Two

Now for some of my thoughts on The Music I Listened to.

Friday

It was a bit of a scamper to book in to my digs after travelling from home and then be at the armband collection point AND to listen to music by 4pm, but I am being a bit ungrateful. It was vastly better than waiting ‘till 8pm as we did last year.

And the music I went to listen to was in the main Marquee 1.

4pm to 6pm, Greg Abate on alto sax, whom many will have seen in recent years in Marlow, was guesting with “The Sound of Blue Note”, who comprised of Andy Urquhart: Trumpet Terry Quinney: Tenor Sax Phil Doyle: Piano Ben Taylor: Bass Andy Chapman: Drums

This was good competent modern jazz, and it only felt strange that it finished at 6pm and we left the tent in the broadest daylight.

Next was Horns Upfront  with ex Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (who morphed into “Pendulum” under Pat Kelly) Simon Allen on reeds. He was with Neil Doherty: Trumpet & Flugel Horn

Dave Desmond: Trombone Bryan Postlethwaite: Keyboards Rob Johnston: Guitar Callum Quinn: Bass Guitar Ted Carrasco: Drums.

Now the front line could well have played modern bop, but they kind of overlaid it with a heavy rock bass drum heavy 2 beat sound. Fine for the odd tune, but not good for 7.15pm to 8.30pm. This was the first of a run of gigs in Marquee 1 that had this rhythmic emphasis, and in the end, it becomes boring. The band also ended every tune with a sudden stop. Yes, boring.

Next up was a gig that I knew had Vasilis Xenopoulos playing in it, although not advertised as such. On the bill, celebrating “The Wonder of Steve” had been Derek Nash, but I thought I would go and support Vas as I knew he was playing.

I know the audience loved it, but it wasn’t jazz, it was heavy rock, loud etc and I cannot say the singer, Noel McCalla, endeared himself to me. He appeared to think he was a superstar, and wasn’t particularly polite to the sound guys. Yes, the sound balance was poor, but the sound guys said privately afterwards that it was how the musicians wanted it. 

It went on from 9.30pm to 11pm, through a rainstorm. Walking back to my digs in the dark I felt a jazz festival can do better than this. In fact over the 30 years I have been going to The Swanage Jazz Festival, it has done better than this

Saturday

Dawned dry, and I hopefully walked down to Marquee 1 (would the sun shine? Well, eventually it did, though rain had been forecast, it only drizzled for a short part of the day!). Sadly this year no New Orleans style parade, which had anyway shrunk last year to being just a walk up and down the front. This year, no parade at all!

11am to 12.15pm  We settled in to “JazzKnots” Oscar Brady: Keyboards Jude Brady: Guitar Mason Arnold: Bass Joe Marlow: Drums

 

We were back to 4 young musicians playing electronic music loudly.

 

But after them we had some almost acoustic music.

Modern Jazz played by Henry Lowther’s “Still Waters”  Henry Lowther: Trumpet Barry Green: Piano Dave Green: Bass Paul Clarvis: Drums. There was a lady deping for the saxophone chair, and sadly I didn’t catch her name, but please ask her to come again as she was very good.

This set (1pm to 2.15) was very enjoyable. A great set of thoughtful modern jazz, as we knew it would be by just looking at the line-up. My ears got back to normal, even if I didn’t hear the lady saxophonists name!!

Overall an excellent set that had Henry asking if the sound engineers could do anything about the loud rock sounds coming from Marquee 2!!

However in my plan for the day I was going to go to one of the free program events in the Mowlem Bar. This was Julie Lewis, a pianist/singer who had with her an excellent locally based saxophonist, Ian Ellis. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Julie is someone who is yet to find fame. In my view, she deserves a world stage but in the Mowlem bar that afternoon we had 2 hours of perfect small group vocal jazz.

I am hoping that we can persuade her to come to Hedsor before long, bringing Ian with her. In my view she has a great talent that should not be held captive in Dorset.

Due to this not being in the paid for plan, I had to rush back to Marquee 1 for Dave Newton and Alan Barnes, dueting together as they have done for many years, (they met a Leeds College of Music, and for over 2 years shared the same room). The Marquee was almost packed for these 2 playing small group jazz. This time the loud music from Marquee 2 did get in the way, and the stewards had to stop the session in Marquee 2 until Alan and Dave had finished there set.

This finished at 6.15pm, and as the next set in that marquee wasn’t until 7.30pm, I decided it was time to try the Burger Bar. Absolutely first class, and from such a small van too!

From 7.30pm on it was Brandon Allens Groove Band. Brandon Allen: Saxes Mike Outram: Guitar Jim Watson: Keyboards Chris Attwell: Electric bass Kati Paavola: Drums

Sadly this was another of the loud bass and drums variety of music, yes very reminiscent of Weather Report, but it wasn’t adding anything to my musical enjoyment and although I gave it a try for 2 or 3 tunes, I decided it was time to return to my digs.

 

Sunday

A nice sunny day, one of Swanage's best, but my choice for the morning was the Mowlem Centre where I listened to The Andy Hague Quintet. Andy Hague: Trumpet & Flugelhorn Ben Waghorn: Tenor Sax Jim Blomfield: Piano Riaan Vosloo: Double Bass Mark Whitlam: Drums

They hail from Bristol, and I first saw them at Swanage over 20 years ago. Andy runs the bebop music in Bristol, and has been much praised by many, including Winford Marsallis. Modern Jazz, well played and well announced, the hour and a quarter went too soon.

 

I did take a little time out to just watch the view. I sat on the short pier near the Marquees for a while and was watching the coastguards practicing rescue from the sea, when they were interrupted by a traffic warden telling them they were being reported for blocking the (closed) gates to the shore road and that they would be reported. Maybe she should have been the object of a wet rescue?

Then, in to Marquee 1 from 3pm to 4.15pm I listened to Lucy Moon telling the story of Anita O’Day. Lucy Moon: Vocals Jake McMurchie: Tenor Sax Chris Jones: Bass Matt Stockham Brown: Drums Dale Hambridge: Keyboards

I thought she was good and would like to see her again.  She sang and told the story of Anita well. A more imaginative pianist would have helped.

The rest of the afternoon and early evening in Marquee 1 was taken over by Vasilis Xenopoulos in 2 different sets.

 

First, from 5pm to 6.15pm it was "Five way Split". Quentin Collins: Trumpet Vasilis Xenopoulos: Tenor Sax Rob Barron: Piano Matyas Hofecker: Bass Matt Home: Drums

Superb. Founded in the year of covid, during the slight relaxation when they were enable to practice in a flat in Swiss Cottage for 5 weeks. They have written most of the tunes themselves, and 3 of the 5 took on the task of introducing them. Very good arrangements, and tightly arranged and played. No sign of  music stands, all played from memory. I asked Vasilis how they could get so tight a sound, and he said that with musicians of their quality they have rarely been given the opportunity to practice for so long (5 weeks). Hence now it is embedded.

After a short break Vasiis appeared with Nigel Price (just like they used to do). Nigel Price: Guitar Vasilis Xenopolous: Tenor Sax Matyas Hofecker: Bass Matt Home: Drums

They are world class, just as I told the audience of Cookham’s Pinder Hall when I introduced them at a Cookham Festival concert many years ago. I have never forgotten Matt after the gig saying “you come all the way out here into the sticks and then you get a standing ovation”!

 

They finished their concert at Swanage at 8pm. Just time to buy another burger and take it back to my digs in time to see England not win at football!

Well done Paul Kelly and your team. There are things that could be better, but it is far better than not having a Swanage Jazz Festival to go to every year, and it is obvious that you do listen to your audience.

I already have my tickets for next year!

                      The Swanage Jazz Festival 2024 Report Part One

Overall, though this “summers” weather has been boringly wet, Swanage Jazz was by and large a mercifully dry weekend. I would like to offer many thanks to Paul Kelly and the committee for keeping the festival running for yet another year.

The facility and content of the festival have also improved since Paul Kelly and the committee took over running it, and what looked likely to the termination of the 30 year plus event after Nigel Price could no longer see his way in continuing its revival. 

I want this year to split my report into two, and mention the actual music I listened to in part two.

So, first off, the geography of the event. 

More music was to be had in more places, but some of the placement was not of the best.

The two main marquees on Sandpit Field had their sound stages much too close together and they did interfere quite audibly with each other. The more acoustic music was usually drowned out by the more rock bass and drum orientated music. It would be better if the marquees were turned round such that the sound stages were at opposite ends of the field.

The noise interference was magnified this year as more Rock/Weather Report inspired music was played and the time programming of this overall wasn’t great. More about this later.

It was very good that Sandpit Field came back to being a proper meeting hub this year. Something that has been missing in recent years. 

It was also good that there were more food outlets in this area than before which has been missing since the rebooting of the festival. A bit more seating to allow that food to be eaten would be a good addition for next year. More staff in the bar serving areas would be of benefit, as the long queue often meant missing the first 10 minutes of a gig one had arrived on time to see.

The two placements (one at either end of the field) of multi sex toilets was a good idea, but can I suggest that the Portaloos hired had more room between the door and the toilet itself. There was insufficient room inside to manoeuvre, especially as sometimes one had a knapsack to cope with as well, and their stability was a bit dubious, they definitely rocked!

There was more music to listen to than before, but the gaps between each set in any individual marquee (usually 1 hour) were too long. The concept of using Sandpit field as a hub was great, but little use was made to put free music on between the programmed and paid for music. The open sided tented area could have been used to better advantage. I only ever saw it used for Yoga classes. Putting Youth Bands in there would have helped young people have the opportunity to perform to the public, and would fill the gap whilst the main gigs were set up.

A small point about the printed program, given out to all ticket holders. Nicely produced, but could we have the times of each concert printed alongside the names of the players at each venue please? It was a good idea to have the overall colour coded timetable, but when you are actually in venue, it was necessary to turn the pages back and forth to find what time things were in the place you were in! Also, I never did find the musicians profiles, no longer in the printed program, and difficult to find (could they be found?) online whilst out and about.

Example of Timetable

Who is playing, but not when

It was great to be able to stroll and chat to friends who come from different parts of the country and come together to celebrate and talk about jazz, the music we love, as we used to do. The Sandpit Field was always good for this. It might be worth considering for the future to have some of the more traditional jazz program located in Marquee 2. This used to be the case, and not all jazz lovers like only one style, and a bit of cross fertilization would be a good thing. Being easily able to move from one style to another without a complete change of location would be nice.

I commented above about the loud rock emphasis. Friday three of the four Marquee 1 events were very similar. Loud drum and bass is rock, not swing or jazz. This wasn’t helped by the poor sound balance for this music. The rhythm instruments were too loud which meant the balance emphasis on the front line was diminished.

The tribute to Steve Wonder was obviously appreciated by many Steve Wonder fans, but the sound was deafening and ill balanced, and the singer (Noel McCalla), to me, a lifelong jazz fan, was not an endearing character. Publicly denigrating the sound engineers wasn’t funny or sensible. Thanks to Vasilis Xenopoulos, a late replacement in the lineup for Derek Nash, the event was kinda OK. When it came to the announcements at the end, the microphone used by the steward, and  therefore the one that had been the singers, was obviously not turned up enough even though the sound level for the evening was vastly too loud.

The Audience, as seen by Vasilis on Sunday.

Part Two, my thoughts on the music I heard, will come later in the week.

                                              A Sad Blog today 

Because I have to tell you that Mike Wills, always “our” reed player at Hedsor for over 20 years, passed away in his sleep on Thursday.

Mike, on his last visit to Hedsor in May this year

Mike alongside Mark Aston, with a large collection of reed instrument's played on the night of 31 11 19

 

Mike was the saxophone part of the Clive Burton Quintet, and had travelled from Oxford to play for us for many many Thursdays. As some of you will know, he had been fitted with a pacemaker 18 plus years ago, and had made a remarkable recovery after collapsing at a gig in Twickenham all those years ago.

 

Recently this year he was unable to play an evening with us having been taken ill on his way to us. I have spoken with him twice since then, and he was back to feeling his normal self, just waiting to be allowed to drive again after his most recent pacemaker episode.

Mike was a first class honours graduate in English from Oxford University and had gone back to Oxford as a tutor for The Open University. He was also a first class musician, and was held in high regard, playing all styles of jazz on his huge collection of reed instruments. I for one will greatly miss him, and I’m sure we will all want to offer our condolences to Sam, his widow.

I wont write more now but will just remind you that Hedsor Jazz does carry on, this week with saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr playing alongside Mike Innes on trombone. That’s  this Thursday July 25^th from 8pm. at The Hedsor Bar in Bourne End, Bucks

 This is Not a full blog

 Because it is a post Swanage Jazz Festival Blog.

Today this is just a reminder that coming to Hedsor Jazz this Thursday (July 18^th) we have that fine saxophonist Mark Aston coming to play for us. He is bringing with him guitarist Alex Corlett, and this is a requested rebooking as they were enjoyed so much on there last visit in May (which was Alex’s first!!) .

On drums we will have Mick Jeffries (Martin is still mending from his recent fall), and Ken McCarthy will be on keyboard.

Do come and support live jazz. We are very fortunate in having such talent play locally for us. Having experienced a full on jazz festival I can assure you that Hedsor Jazz does put on some of the best!!

Just to remind you our sessions start at 8pm and finish by 10.30pm. Hedsor Jazz is held at The Hedsor Bar,  Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES   

Later in the week I will be writing up my views on the Swanage Jazz Festival. It is getting better, it isn’t the same as in days gone by, but IS very enjoyable.  I have already booked for next year!

July 9^th, and A Little Light Bloging

As I wasn’t able to be at Hedsor last week.

I was away at a family funeral in Winchester, staying within sight of the Cathedral. It was a necessarily sad, but equally nice, occasion, set in a beautiful location.

Chesil House, the location for the funeral service:-

Winchester Cathedral, as viewed from our hotel:-

I am told that Hedsor went well, and that Duncan Lamont Jr was up to his usual (high) standard. The pictures below are provided by Peter England. I understand that the attendance was pretty reasonable, seeing it was a General Election night.

Thanks to those who did turn out, especially to the musicians who played. With Martin indisposed, the drum chair (stool?) was taken by Mike Jeffries, and that bass player in the picture is Tom Mark. Ken McCarthy, back from his granddaughters wedding, was on keyboard, and the guitarist (a first visit to Hedsor) was Russell Jarrett

 

Coming this week (Thursday July 11^th) we have trumpet star Johnny Thirkle, who will be paired with saxophonist Alam Nathoo. Martins place will again be taken by Mike Jeffries. So, our usual high Hedsor Jazz quality will not be at risk.

 

I will be off on the following day to the Swanage Jazz Festival. This is something I have done every year for over 30 years. However I am beginning to wonder if I need to do that anymore, as many of the stars of The Swanage Jazz Festival come to Hedsor. Alan Barnes, Nigel Price, Vasilis Xenopoulos (to name just 3) will be at Swanage, and will be or have already been to play at Hedsor Jazz this year. So our jazz quality is pretty good.

If you don’t already do so, come and support us. It’s a lot cheaper that a weekend in Swanage!

OK, no sea, but we are very near The Thames! 

 Martin Hart

I have learnt today that Martin has had a fall and has broken 2 ribs. I'm sure we all wish Martin a speedy recovery.

At Hedsor Jazz tomorrow his place on drums will be taken by Mike Jeffries, whom we must thank for stepping in at short notice.

Geoff

July 4th. Another Week for Hedsor Jazz

But for once it’s a week that I wont be able to attend! 

Funerals are something that are fundamentally unplanned, and so it is with the one I shall be attending in Winchester on Thursday. Unplanned, but inevitable since birth, and as usual expected by very few! So this Thursday evening I will be staying within site of Winchester Cathedral.

 

I will be voting before I go, and it seems that the election had booked most of our planned jazz musicians! However, saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr has come to our rescue and will be bringing with him guitarist Russell Jarrett for our gig on July 4^th. Usual start time of 8pm. So if you can, do join our jazz party (dedicated to providing a refuge for jazz lovers. It’s clearly in our manifesto!) and come and make Hedsor Jazz an election (night) winner. Ken McCarthy will be back with us. Last week he was giving his granddaughter away at her wedding in Kent. What a lovely thing to be able to do! So welcome back Ken. And thank you to Nigel Fox, who has depped for Ken for the past 2 weeks. We are very lucky indeed to be able to listen to 2 such great jazz pianists at Hedsor Jazz. Thanks again Nigel.

Last week (pictures below) we had Steph Pirrie singing and trumpeting her way through our evening, backed by Nigel Fox on keyboard, and her husband Al Pirrie on bass, with a returning from holiday Martin Hart on drums. Steph brought with her a young saxophonist, Noah Smith, who everyone should look out for because a number of us think he has a real talent. His solos during each tune played were a magnifying glass for the tune and it chords and harmonies. I just hope we can have him back and then allow him the space to extent his improvisational skill and our understanding of the tunes he will play. That, by the way, is another reason why keeping Hedsor Jazz alive is important; it allows that creative space for jazz musicians to play the music they love with others of like skill and mindset.

 

Coming on July 11^th (I may be able to come to this but I travel to Dorset next day) we have a planned visit from Alam Nathoo in support of trumpeter Johnny Thirkle. Johnny is in great demand in the popular music world, and it may be that at very short notice he will have to be substituted, but he does like coming to play for us at Hedsor when his touring schedule allows.

Johnny Thirkle

 

Alam

Do look back at previous blogs. I have published our gig list for July and August, but if there are personnel changes and I can let you know in time I will post them on this blog. I will be away first at the Swanage Jazz Festival, and then for a few days in Dorset to catch up with friends and family in the area.

Safe journeying

 

Geoff C