And you all thought it was safe now to STAY IN!! WRONG

Because there are so many things to go out for this week, and into the not too distant future. AND they are all near YOU, AND don't cost much more than £5 each (bar one).

That one first, is the Concert we are organising for Cancer Research UK, which is a £10 ticket price. A PDF file with all the details is attached. Please note, it has been amended to include the news of our two super guest artist. There may be more coming, but I have run out of room on the poster, so you will just have to come and see on the night. Please support this very worthwhile cause.If you can print and display the poster near you, please do.

THIS WEEK
Tomorrow, Tuesday 4th March, There will be Jazz at The Bourne End Community Centre Bar from 8.30pm. It will be a small group and singer organised by drummer Terry Parsons. Entry, including a light supper, and a raffle, is £4.

Also tomorrow, slightly further a field, guitarist Tim Saunders will be playing The Brook Green Hotel, Hammersmith, together with saxophone star Duncan Lamont. 8.30 pm start, free entry to the cellar bar.

Thursday, our regular gig at The Hedsor Social Club has the return of our "regular" sax star Mike Wills. Expect some wonderful harmonies. 8.30 start, £3 in plus a raffle.

Sunday, at The Fifield Inn, Century Jazz play host to that wonderful saxophonist Pete Cook.

Rushing towards us at the speed of time, Our next James Fenn guitar led evening at Hedsor is Monday 17th March. 8.30 start, £5 to get in, and that's it, NO RAFFLE! Tell your friends, we need the audience, the music is wonderful, but people don't know that yet!

Two bits of round plastic that you might like to consider adding to your round plastic library this week.

Most recent first is a DVD (yep, you can watch AND listen) of the Liane Carroll Trio LIVE at the Brecon Jazz Festival. It was recorded last year, and has a typical session from this wonderfully entertaining singer. Described by Julian Joseph as having a "smoky voice" (well ,she used to be able to sing, play the piano and smoke, all at the same time, now the law only allows her to sing and play the piano, and THAT only in suitably licensed premises, because, as we all know, live music is dangerous to your health), she has got a very distinctive sound. She conveys real emotion for all she performs, and some of her songs (Dublin Morning) will become future standards I'm sure. Its a good hour of concert, reasonable filmed, the sound is slightly hollow and needs the wick turning up a bit, but on the whole does give you a satisfying echo of her performance. Songs include the aforesaid Dublin Morning, and other favourites like "That Old Black Magic", and "Caravan", which allows the other two members of her trio to feature. Nothing, however well produced, is as good as hearing and seeing the performance itself, BUT Splash Point Records SPR007DVD is a great souvenir of her recent live act.

Going back to 1974, I've dug out from my vault this week a CD that I paid £13.50 for!! Ruby Braff might have been known as "the poisoned dwarf", but his playing was magical, lyrical, and so complete. In 1974 he played a concert in New York, and the CD has all of the music. With him, as his foil, was guitarist George Barnes. They produced magical music together, but there association was short lived, as they found they couldn't stand the site of each other!! BUT happily the music lives on. Light and springy and full of tunes you know. "There Will Never Be Another You", "Thou Swell", "Squeeze Me", and even "Here There And Everywhere" by Lennon and McCartney. The label is Chiaroscuro, and the number is CR(D)126. And it is a great listen!

As usual, the artwork will be on the blog.

TTFN

Geoff C

Just in case you missed the poster for the cancer Research Concert, here it is again. If you would like a PDF File of this, please contact me with your email address and i will send it to you.

Geoff C

Hi Fans,

I just thought now would be a good time to tell you about some of the future gigs we have planned.

Thursday 21st February at Hedsor the guest with the Clive Burton Quartet will be guitarist Martin Cooke.
Sunday 24th February at Fifield, Century Jazz will be complete with the regular saxophonist, the remarkable Mike Wills.

Thursday 28th February at Hedsor the guest will be sax star Peter Cook.
Sunday March 2nd Fifield will have the complete Century Jazz, i.e. Mike Wills will be on sax.

Thursday 6th March, Mike Wills is again with Clive Burton.
Sunday March 9th at Fifield the guest will again be Peter Cook.

On MONDAY 17th March we will have another evening of guitar jazz from James Fenn and Friends.

On FRIDAY March 28th, we are running our Cancer Research UK Charity Concert at The Hedsor Social Club. The Theme is "From Dixieland to Swing AGAIN", and the Clive Burton Quintet will be augmented by John Slater on Trumpet. I am assured other guest will be included in this wonderful evening of fund raising Jazz. Tickets are now on sale from me, and very shortly from Crocks and Crystals in Bourne End, and Delizioso in Cookham. A PDF file of the poster is attached to this mailing.

As this will be the weeks major jazz event, we are NOT planning to have a regular Thursday Session at Hedsor. BUT, the band will be rehearsing there on Thursday 27th, and if anyone wants to turn up to listen, they will be welcome, and there will be NO CHARGE!! But we will ask to see your ticket for Friday!

A very special Jazz guitar night is in prospect for Monday April 21st (note change of date from that previously published). With James Fenn on Guitar and Lisa Amato on Bass Guitar, we are gathering together the multiple talents of Pete Billington on Keyboard, Nick Marangoni on Drums, and Vasilis Xenopoulos on Saxophone. Don't miss this one!

Other jazz gigs are on around the area. At The Bourne End Community Centre on the first Tuesday of every month. At The British Legion Hall in Marlow on Alternate Tuesdays (Tonight IS one of those, and the guest there will be Simon Spillett). Do keep an eye on the blog http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com, and as well as seeing the live stuff advertised, you will get the occasional CD Revue/recommendation.

So, there we have a few things for you to look forward to, and I look forward to seeing you at some, if not all, of these full value jazz nights.

TTFN

Geoff C

More information on our guest pianist for next Monday's guitar jazz night at the Hedsor Social Club. The pianist will be :-

Holger Skepeneit

- Holger started playing classical piano at the age of eight and turned to jazz and blues at fourteen. After finishing school he briefly attended a full-time jazz course in Frankfurt/Germany. He then came to England to study piano, jazz piano and composition at the London College of Music, graduating in 2000 with a first class honours degree. The same year he started and completed successfully an MMus in jazz piano at the Leeds College of Music. Since graduating he’s been a sought after pianist, keyboard player, composer and MD. During his career so far he has performed and recorded along side artists such as Pete King, Jeff Clyne, Tina May, Alan Barnes, John Wheatcroft, Steve Waterman, Alan Shaw, Mark Nightingale, Kiranpal Sing, John Surman and many others. Apart from having played in most of the UK’s major live music venues (including the Southbank, Cadogan Hall, Shepherds Bush Empire, Peel Bay Festival, and the Wigmore Hall), he has so far performed in over 20 different countries, in Europe and overseas. Furthermore Holger has played for the guests of her Majesty the Queen and was awarded the Westminster prize for improvisation. Apart from being a busy performer, Holger is quite a prolific composer as well. His first works (for piano and sax) were published when he was only seventeen. Since then he has written a variety of highly acclaimed pieces ranging from piano concertos and string quartets to Big Band pieces, solo piano works and trio suites. At the moment Holger works mainly with his own trio (with Chris Nicholls on drums and Alan Mian on bass), the Counterfeit Stones and the Balkan Fusion line-up Dark Raki (with Vasilis X). He is also part-time tutor for keyboard and theory at the Institute for Contemporary Music Performance and Thames Valley University). www.myspace.com/holgerskepeneittrio

Thanks to Eddie Fowler for finding/providing this info.


Geoff C

Jazz Nag EXTRA

Information from the front regarding Monday nights guitar led jazz session at Hedsor, with James Fenn and Lisa Amato.

Lisa Amato writes:-

"We have a great pianist coming on Monday for the regular monthly modern jazz thrash. His name is Holger Skepengeit (I think that's how it is spelled) and he's very melodic (we like 'em like that). Still trying to fix a drummer, but I'll let you know when they return my calls!"

We know the usual quality provided by the Fenn team, so do make sure you "get a ticket on the jazz island line" for Monday 18th February!!

TTFN

Geoff C

Here we are, and almost already at the Valentines Day post! For me, the significance of the day has changed. It was 6 years ago that I came out of Harley Street after my heart surgery. Time has really flown. But we have also seen and done so many things since, including starting up this regular Jazz Nag.

So, just to keep you occupied this Thursday on St. Valentines Day, we have at The Hedsor Social Club, on all the reeds, Mike Wills, together with the Clive Burton Quartet. Last weeks session with Mike and John Rolls was a really joyous occasion too. The music was wonderful, we had a reasonable turn out, and we almost had enough money to pay the band, which always leaves me smiling! Thursdays at Hedsor always start at 8.30 pm. We still only charge £3 to get in, and we still run the best raffle in Hedsor!

Sunday at The Fifiled Inn it will be the same combination, Mike and Clive. Start time 8 pm, free entry, raffle funded. And the music is just as good!

Don't forget to put in your diary next Monday, February 18th, because at Hedsor we have another guitar led session from James Fenn and Friends, and you know the kind of friends he brings along. So although this month is a pot luck one for the guest, it will be well worth turning out for.

Many of the musicians who play for us at Hedsor are well nationally known names in the jazz firmament, and although we cannot pay them what they are undoubtedly worth, they love coming because of the friendly, knowledgeable audience, and are very happy to keep coming back. I hope that also applies to you!

Bearing that preamble in mind, our next Concert for Cancer Research UK is on Friday March 28th, and at Hedsor (for the first time). We are trying to make Hedsor the local "home" for jazz, and I hope many of you will come along and support the charity. £10 will get you in and we have tickets for sale now!

Also in to the future, we are organising a very special Monday Date at Hedsor. On April 28th with James Fenn, Lisa Amato, and Nick Marangoni we are putting together Pete Billington on Keyboard and Vasilis Xenopoulos on Saxophone. (I wonder if anyone who saw Vasilis with Clive the other Thursday realise that it was the first time he had played the alto sax, as well as his usual tenor! It was new to him!). This session is a special, it will cost us more money, but it will be unmissable, put it in your diary NOW. It could be the start of a whole new band!

When your not out soaking up the live jazz, you may want to listen to some at home. CD's I've listened to recently, and can heartily recommend are:-

"Billy Taylor and Gerry Mulligan Live at MCG"

Recorded in Pittsburgh in 1993 this late Mulligan session, recorded before an audience, is a wonderful addition to the Mulligan catalogue. Dr Billy Taylor is a very accomplished pianist, in full sympathy with the small group Mulligan sound. There are some wonderful tunes ("Laura", "All the Things You Are", "Come Sunday") and the quartet (Chip Jackson is on bass and Carl Allen on Drums) play with great integration. It's well recorded too. I think you will need to order it from a specialist jazz dealer, as its on MCG Jazz (a local to Pittsburgh label). MCGJ1025 is the number, you can see the rest of the catalogue at http://www.mcgjazz.org/ so you may well be able to order online too.

The other CD is much more home grown, but very similar in style and feel.

"Karen Sharp Wait and See" features the young lady saxophonist who first came to most peoples attention with the Humphrey Lyttleton Band, which she left last year to further her own career. With Karen are Adrian Fry on trombone, John Perry drums, Richard Busiakiewicz on piano and John Day on bass. This combination of instruments is very familiar to listeners of the Clive Burton Quintet, and Karen's playing is mature, the ensemble playing recognises the harmonies that work, and the solos are all well executed. Many of the tunes are Karen's own, but two exceptions stand out, "Pure Imagination" and"Struttin' With Some Barbecue". It was recorded in 2006, and is available on 33 Records 33JAZZ152. 33 records often pick up and present fresh talent, who usually go on to be contracted to more prestigious labels. I'd go out and buy this one now, as it will become a collectors item! Its also a great listen, and over the last fortnight, not been put into a storage draw.

That's it for now folks, don't forget to support local live jazz, without you in the audience there will be no jazz tomorrow!

Geoff C

A Belated Reminder that tomorrow is another Thursday, which means we have some Jazz at Hedsor from 8.30 pm onwards. For a measly £3, we will give you two tenors!! With our regular rhythm section, you can hear Mike Wills, and John Rolls. What a bargain!

And rushing towards us is Sunday, where at Fifield, you can listen to another great saxophonist, Al Nicholls. And this one tenor, is actually free. You do of course have to buy a raffle ticket, but we must be better value than Mr. Livingston.OK, so it's jazz by stealth! 8 pm start.

Not too distant is our next effort to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Tickets for March 28th are now available at £10 each. See the above for the poster. (A right mouse click will let you save it full size).

CD reviews soon, its been a busy week,

TTFN

Geoff C

PS Booking is now underway for the Swanage Jazz Festival. July 11th, 12th and 13th. A Copy of the booking form is above (but very small!). Contact the Festival Office on 01929 422215 for your own copy of the brochure and booking form.

GC

A little nagging about some of the good live jazz that's on this week.

Wednesday at "The Harrow" up Hughenden Valley, Lynn Garner, Ken McCarthy and Brad Lang team up again to give you an evening of song, with a little humour. The Little Jazz Bird will sing from 8.30pm, its a free event, and hot food is available.

Thursday, the guest at The Hedsor Social Club, alongside The Clive Burton Quartet, will be saxophonist Brian Thompson. Again it's an 8.30 start, its £3 to get in, and further funding for the band is provided by the famous raffle.

Please add in to your diary Friday 28th March, when we will be again running a concert to raise money for Cancer Research UK. This year it will be at The Hedsor Social Club, which is fast becoming an important local jazz venue. Tickets will be available soon at £10 a head. It will be run on similar lines to before, in Cafe style, where you can bring your own feast, but you must get the drinks from the bar.

One last word for now at least, and that is a retrospective look at The fabulous Shirtlifters evening of Winter Ineluctability (last Saturday).

The place was packed, the fun was HIGH, and they had as guest Rolf Harris!! Yes, he did play his accordion with them on at least 2 numbers, and told a couple of quality jokes to boot! And it wasn't John Brooks in drag!!

Mike Wills was another playing guest with them for the evening, and he played his very small 1910 bent soprano sax with real style.

Overall it was the sort of relaxed evening that meant you got really close to people you had never met before, and really really close to those you already new!!

Well done Shirtlifters. It's amazing that they can go on doing it year in, year out, giving away many thousands of pounds to charity over those years.

TTFN

Geoff C

Just to remind and inform you that the cast for the jazz guitar night on Monday (21st Jan) at Hedsor is James Fenn, guitar, Lisa Amato, bass, Nick Marangoni, drums, and Peter Billington on keyboard.

Peter is the keyboard player for Pendulum (It used to be called The Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra), and usually plays keyboard for the Jazz at Norden Farm sessions.

Do come along (for an 8.30pm start), bring your friends, pay the measly sum of £5 and sit back for a night of great entertainment!

TTFN

Geoff C

Another Repetitious Reminder Or NAG to those who know!

At the Hedsor Social Club this week, we are delighted to welcome back, not exactly a guest, more a member of the band, Mr Mike Wills. He will be joining with Clive and the rest of the fellows to bring you our usual entertaining, mellifluous, swinging LIVE JAZZ.
Entry will be the usual £3, raffle money will also be extracted. Start time 8.30pm
Sunday, The Fifield Inn's guest will be that wonderful guitarist Max Britain. Entry is free, hot food is available, and there WILL be a raffle to fund the band.

Two advance notices, unfortunaly for the same day. Its done to test your allegiance of course, BUT on Saturday 26th Jan, at Cookhams Pinder Hall you can take part in a Winter Ineluctability, organised and featuring the fabulous Shirtlifters. Contact Charles Benson (01628 472163) for more details, entry by ticket, so buy ticket @ £8.

BUT also on the same night, our regular drummer Martin Hart is running a concert in The Woodley Theatre featuring music from the 1971 New York Town Hall concert given by the MJQ and the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Paul Desmond becomes Peter Cook, Alan Graham will be on vibes, Nigh Pugh will be on bass and Ken McCarthy will be on the piano. Martin of course will be on drums, and giving the chat!

Contact the theatre for your ticket.

Another advance notice, but this time not so far away, I will be running another in the series of guitar jazz recitals at Hedsor on MONDAY January 21st, with that very talented young guitarist James Fenn and his team of chosen musos. Do come, you know he always brings great players with him. Entry will be £5, we don't do a raffle, so THAT IS REALLY ALL YOU NEED TO PAY TO HAVE A FIRST RATE JAZZ NIGHT OUT!!

A notice for February, Centre Jazz will be running their first jazz night since the death of Bernard Spinks, it would be nice now to support that venture even more than ever now, and the music on that night will be led by veteran drummer Bobby Orr. That's February 5th.

Yes, there is a lot of jazz roundabout to support, and we are very lucky in it being so. It aint like it everywhere, so why not make the most of it whilst it's still there.

TTFN

Geoff C

What an Inexcusable Ineluctable mistake!!

I missed the poster art from the blog!! Here it is in glorious black and white.

Geoff C

First, a sad addition to my emailings.

I learnt just after New Year that Bernard Spink, (who did the announcements and took your money at the Bourne End Community Centre Jazz nights) died on Friday December 28th. He will be sorely missed in and around Bourne End, and I would certainly wish to pass on my condolences to his Family. He was a lovely man, and a great Friend to the local jazz community.

He was a great Al Nichols fan, and I'm sure he wouldnt mind me following the above, with the below!

Some January Gig dates are on the list above (to see an enlarged view or to print the artwork, right click your mouse).

BUT you can also add in some from Al Nichols:-

"Barley Mow, Watersplash Road, Shepperton, Wednesday 9th January (8.30 - 11pm) with the house band.

Fox & Hounds, Englefield Green, Monday 14th January (8.30 - 11pm) with the house band

Now King & Castle, Windsor January
16th & 30th - Al Nicholls Trio with Rex Bennett & Bob Haddrell
9th & 23rd - either the Jenny Carr or Dave Priseman Trio

Hope to see you at some point.
Al"

You will note that THIS THURSDAY we DON'T HAVE Peter Cook, he was offered a much better paid gig in London.

On January 26th you can have an evening of Winter Ineluctability with the fabulous Shirtlifters, see also above!

AND you will see mention in the gig list of a one off event at Cores End United Reformed Church (which many of you go past to get to Hedsor). I have been invited to run a Jazz Service there THIS SUNDAY. We will have a wonderful lady singer called Melrose, together with Zane Cronje on keyboard, Keith Wilkins on Clarinet, Ken Rankine on bass and Mike Jeffries on drums. Do feel free to come along, it starts at 10.30 am, should last about 1 hour, and will include some Bernstein and some Ellington!

I hope to see you all somewhere soon, do help jazz to thrive in 2008.

Jazz that has thrived in the past is always available on CD, and I have 2 to recommend today.

One from 1953 features Lionel Hampton and His Big Band recorded live for Swiss radio.

I think most of us feel we know Lionel from his days with Benny Goodman, but he did form his own big band soon after the famous Carnegie Hall Concert, and went out on his own. He continued to performed well, even in his later years, and this recording is not only good musically, but in good clear technical terms as well.

The band he gathered around him contain some interesting names as well. In the trumpet section are Art Farmer, Clifford Brown, Benny Bailey, and Quincy Jones!! You will also find Gigi Gryce and Clifford Scott in the saxophone section. But Lionel IS the star here. He plays swinging vibes, plays some very attacking 2 fingered (almost) piano, drums, AND sings. It is a really great album, with tunes like Moonlight in Vermont, How High The Moon (in Vermont?), Flying Home (well it wouldn't be complete without) and 7 others. A good buy for your Christmas record voucher. Its on the Montreux Jazz label TCB 02172.

The other album is more recent (DEC 2006), and contains some of Britain's foremost musicians. Almost as iconoclastic as Lionel H, Stan Tracey has teamed up with Norma Winstone and Bobby Wellins to produce a classic British album. With them are Andrew Cleyndert and Clark Tracey. Its a wonderful recording of standards, and some well known tunes with new added words. So as well as "Something's Gotta Give", you will get Norma Winstone's take on Monk's "Crepuscule With Nellie".

It's a double album, with 20 songs very well recorded. Anyone who has ever heard any of the above mentioned musicians cannot help but love this cd which is on Trio Records TR 576.

Geoff C
http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com/

I am delighted to be able to tell you that our first guest at Hedsor in 2008 will be wonderful young saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. Clive Burton will be, as usual, in charge of the ensemble (and his trombone), and we launch 2008's Jazz at Hedsor season at 8.30 pm on Thursday January 3rd. Usual door and raffle charges apply.

Please tell as many people as you can, the notice is short, and it would be great to see as many people there as we had for our Christmas Party.

Lets keep live jazz alive at Hedsor (in the Social Club).

Happy New Year to you all,

Geoff C

It's almost here. That day in December that we have waited for with baited breath (even "Good Bait"ed breath), the day we have saved that last ounce of energy for from the rush of present buying,.

Yes I do mean that The Hedsor Jazz Christmas Party will at last be with us on Thursday!!

So, do come, bring friends, and enjoy the music of the Clive Burton Quartet, plus special Guests Mike Wills on reeds and John Coverdale on guitar. £5 entry, and your ticket will gain you half time light nosh, and a strip of raffle tickets!! With some excellent prizes on offer!! It all kicks off at 8.30 pm.

BUT still on the journey to Hedsor, you could take in another special night at The Harrow in Hughenden Valley, because on Wednesday 19th, singer Lynn Garner has "snared" (her word) that wonderful pianist Ray Poole, and that legendary bass player Harvey Weston!! The evening starts at 8.30 pm, food is available beforehand, and even better, the music is FREE.

After that what can I say... well, Lynn is also back at The Harrow on Saturday 22nd December with one of her Comedy Nights, accompanied by Zane Cronje on keyboard and Brad Lang on bass. And that's all before the turkey is trotted out on December 25th! (He might not be too trotting by then perhaps).

On December 27th There will be a stragglers convention at Hedsor for those who are able to make it, and as that includes the band, I don't know who will be playing, but if your at a loose (tube) end, do come along.

Joking aside (if I was?) don't forget that to keep live music alive, we need to have people turn out to create that most elusive of all things, an audience. So do please try and support the live music venues that are around. Next year we will need them even more than this.

And one of the events that will perhaps encourage you to brave the January weather is Cookham's fabulous Shirtlifters evening of Winter Ineluctability at Pinder Hall on January 26th. Knobble Charles Benson for a ticket before he flogs them all, he usually does!

So, through the dark and cold of this last winter week, what have I discovered to listen to?

I was staggered as I tidied my workshop (OK, some of you have seen my garage, so no rude comments please). I put on a CD called "Maria Juanez", thinking it was going to be another world music CD (we know they make ideal raffle prizes), but NO. It is a big band CD, with an ensemble led by Brad Leali (whom I'm sad to say I had never heard of) on Alto, with a trumpet section led by Jon Faddis. Its truly amazing. Slightly anarchic in a carnival sort of way, but with a band that swings without caution. Its on a Swiss label "TOB The Montreux Jazz Label" and has lots of original compositions, and some familiar ones (Pink Panther for one). It really should be yours if you like big band jazz. As usual, the cover art will be on the blogg, the number is TOB 26902

Its time for a short rest now between drinks, so that's it for now, except to wish all of you a Very Special Christmas and health and wealth for 2008.

Geoff C

Todays Nag will be short!! I'm behind with my Christmas letters!!

BUT it has been decided that The Guitar Jazz night, scheduled for MONDAY 17th, will be CANCELLED, due to the band (James Fenn etc) getting better paid work over Christmas!! The nerve of it I ask you.

They will however come to play for us next on Monday 21st January. AND, they have promised to rehearse for that too. Their guest artist will be announced later, but put it in your diary, as these evenings have certainly been full of quality music.

A reminder for you too that This Thursday at Hedsor we have again that very melodious saxophone player John Rolls. Wasn't he good last week.

Don't forget to buy your tickets for our Christmas Party on December 20th. £5 will get you in, feed you with mince pies, and give you a raffle ticket. The music will be provided by Clive Burton and his merry (by then) men, with guests Mike Wills and John Coverdale (Sax and Guitar respectively). Don't wait too long, as the room doesn't hold too many people! I would hate to turn you out into the snow. You may even have to seek refuge in a stable and go home via Egypt!

For the somnambulant amongst you after Christmas, there will be a session at Hedsor on December 27th. WE NEVER CLOSE!

AND if that wasn't enough, Cookhams Fabulous Shirtlifters are, even as I write, practicing for their Evening of Winter Ineluctability (January 26th). You have GOT to be there (Pinder Hall,tickets from Mr Charles Benson!).

TTFN

Geoff C

Just a little reminder, and an alteration to my list of last week.

Al Nicholls has email to say that the King & Castle gigs for December are as follows:

5th & 12th - Al Nicholls Trio with the venerable Rex Bennett and Bob Haddrell.
19th - Jeff Williams Trio
and the King & Castle is at Thames St. Windsor, it takes place from 6.30 - 9.30pm, and admission is free.

Unfortunately, Al has found better paid employment for this Thursday (Yes, some clubs do pay musicians more than 2/6d!), and his place at Hedsor will be taken by sax man John Rolls.

On December 20th, at Hedsor, it has been decided that we will only charge £5 for the Christmas Party tickets (which will be on sale this coming Thursday), and our Guests will be John Coverdale on guitar and Mike Wills on all the saxophones!! Do come yourself, and try and bring a friend. (No, its not a bring and buy sale). It will be a great opportunity to let others who haven't experienced our friendly club atmosphere and wonderful music to see and hear it at its festive best. The ticket price will include a Festive Feast, AND a strip of raffle tickets!! The prizes will also be of a present quality!

TTFN

Geoff C

If you read this from the email nag, you will see that I have attached the program for December. If you can print it out (best from the PDF file) and give it to someone not on our email list whom you think would be interested it would help us "spread the word" about our local jazz events. Please read it yourself, put the dates in your diary, and do everyone a favour, and come out to some of the best live music in the Bucks and Berks area. I wont waste the space by repeating what's on this week, you can read it from the attachments

I have done some CD listening this week too.

The first is a knockout CD, in more than one sense. Many of you know that I get CD's in to recycle, and sometimes, they don't get new owners. From time to time, I go through the boxes of orphaned CD's and have a listen to those that are left behind ( I can hear your tears already)! Harry Connick jr isn't everyone's idea of a great jazz singer, and some of you can only remember him as a member of the crew of Memphis Belle (in the film!). He does originate from New Orleans and when you see an album titled "Chanson du Vieux Carre" with a lot of trad tunes on it like Panama, Petite Fleur and That's a Plenty, you think it will be, perhaps, not to your task. YOU WOULD BE WRONG. Its a terrific big band album that sounds like Stan Kenton meets Dr John. The musicianship is breathtaking, and the recording will definitely try (out) your Hi Fi. Go and buy it and make yourself happy Marsalis Music 0874946000628. I'm sure they make those CD Numbers that long as a punishment and as an excuse for getting you in the latest Mrs Mills album by mistake!

Another new release (Yes, the Connick album was released this year), is much closer to home. We have probably all seen Alan Barnes at some time or another (especially those who go to the annual Swanage Jazz Festival), and many of you will have seen trumpet virtuoso Bruce Adams. A few will even have seen them both on the same stage. So for those who have happy memories of that last on that list, and for those of you who have missed them altogether (where have you been?), "Spontaneous Combustion" is especially for you. Not just high notes, not just lots of notes, but wonderfully controlled playing that will leave you with a silly grin on your face when you've played it. S C is a tune by Cannonball Adderly, as is the closing track"Cannonball". In between are 8 other tracks that show just how well British musicians can play. Oh there is also one of those Hercule Poirot Frenchmen (A Belgian!), playing piano as well. Very well in fact! His name is Pascal Michaux. Go out and order it, its on Alan's own Woodville label, so you can be assured that you will be feeding his children with its purchase. It came to me without a cover, so I don't have a (telephone) number for it at all!!

Cover art on the blog (is anyone still on dial up?). I'll write again after my trip to Kings Lynn to see The Humph Band!!

TTFN

Geoff C
http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com/

PS if you would like to see one of the images shown above in a larger format, right mouse click on the image and open it in a new window.

Hi Folks,

Don't forget we have a special Monday presentation for you tonight at The Hedsor Social Club. None other than Dave O'Higgins (saxophone) is coming and joining up with some of his old friends, James Fenn on guitar, and Lisa Amato on bass, together with Nick Marangoni on drums.Entry £5, NO RAFFLE! Start time around 8.30 pm

Come and support, not local jazz, but Jazz locally!!

Geoff C

Just a short reminder that we have guitarist Max Brittain with us at Hedsor on Thursday (15th November).
For those who don't know anything about Max, he studied guitar at Leeds College of Music and has appeared at all the worlds major concert venues. He has played with such divers people as Georgie Fame, Terry Lightfoot and Charlie Byrd.

We also have a special rhythm section for the event. All our regular band, together with Clive, are playing at a better paid gig this week, but we have put together something rather special:-

On Keyboard will be Jeff Clark
On Drums will be Malcome Potter,
and on bass "hop along" Ken Rankine! Yes, Ken will be doing a full stint for us, complete with Zimmer frame.

Something else rather special is happening at Hedsor next MONDAY (19th November).

We have Dave O'Higgins coming to play his tenor sax for us with James Fenn, Lisa Amato, with another guest drummer (who will it be I wonder?).

All in all an amazing night in prospect, whether its the Thursday or the Monday, at Hedsor, the social club next to the Garden Centre! Both gigs start at 8.30 pm. Thursday will cost you a minimum of £3, Monday £5.

You can find out a lot more about Dave O'Higgins by looking at his website:-

http://www.blogger.com/

Sandwiched between the two gigs above, is another chance to see our very own, and now in good repair, multi instrumentalist, Mike Wills, with Century Jazz at The Fifield Inn on Sunday night 25th November.

So, there is no reason to stay home!!

A copy of the poster for the O'Higgins event is included above, if you have access to a place to display it, perhaps you would print it off, put it up and encourage others to come, many thanks.( if you double click on the image, it will be shown larger than in the blog, wherupon, you can copy and print!!).

TTFN

Geoff C

Hi,

Some of you have pointed out that the link for the warren vache performance on You Tube doesn't work.

If you go to http://www.youtube.com/

and search for warren vache, Limehouse Blues, the track in question, is the first on the list.

It's well worth the effort, do take a look. Then spend some time looking at some of the other great clips listed nearby.

And "thank you" Al.

Geoff C

Last night the Bourne End Community Centre Jazz evening put on a magnificent evening of jazz led by saxophonist Al Nicholls.

We have all experienced the format before, one soloist before an 3 part rhythm section. Last night however we had one of those magical experiences that only happen in live jazz. An amalgam of rich chords, swinging rhythm and great tunes. The whole lot made great by the catalyst of a large appreciative and friendly audience.
Well done to all. And all were amazed by the drummer Rex Bennett. At an unbelievable 83 years he really did swing the clappers!

Al mention as his introduction to Limehouse Blues that there was a great video to be had on You Tube of this tune played by Warren Vache. I've just watched it, and it is well worth a look and listen. The link below should get you there.
http://www.blogger.com/

Its over 7 minutes long, so settle down to appreciate it properly.

Also worth mentioning are 2 CD's recently re issued by Verve of the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival.

The first is from the Friday evening with Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Pete Brown (wonderful!), Ray Bryant on piano, Al McKibbon bass and Jo Jones Drums. Its all atmospheric stuff, reasonably well recorded, and contains a 13 minute version of Sweet Georgia Brown. The CD Number is 0602517416086. Yes, its a bit like a Microsoft key number isn't it. However, once purchased, the CD will play on ordinary CD players!

The Second Disk is from the Sunday evening session, with the Oscar Peterson Trio on there own for 4 titles, and then joined by Sony Stitt, Roy Eldridge and Jo Jones for another 4!! The sleeve note uses the word "breathtaking" and I can only agree. CD Number 0602517416093

These albums have been issued to celebrate 50 years of the Newport Jazz Festival, and I hope more material is on the way.

that's it for now folk, don't forget to continue to turn out to support the live jazz near you.

Geoff C

A couple of Corrections!!

I think Max Britain will be with us at Hedsor on Nov 15th, not 8th as indicated. My diary says that this Thursday is "TBA", but it might be John Coverdale.

Geoff Hiscott has also emailed me to say that the Farnham Maltings Otis B Driftwood event starts at 7.30pm, not 8.30 pm as mentioned. You must either get more music for your money, or they go to bed earlier in Farnham!

TTFN

Geoff C

Time seems to have been flying by recently, and so far I haven't found enough of it to remind you of forthcoming jazz events. So a very brief reminder:-

Tonight, Saxophonist Simon Spillett is at The Fifield Inn with Clive Burton and Century Jazz. 8pm start. I'm sure there will be some fireworks!

Tuesday at The Bourne End Community Centre, Its the turn of another saxophonist, Al Nichols wrote:-
"The line up finally confirmed as Rex Bennett - drums, Bob Haddrell - keyboard (horrible term!), George Oag - guitar + myself."

On the Wednesday 7th November, at the King & Castle, Windsor (6.30 - 9.30pm): Al Nicholls trio, with Neil Casey - piano & Rob Rickenberg - double bass.

ALSO on Wednesday the Otis B Driftwood band play the Farnham Maltings from 8.30pm. Fun, frolics AND music!! (OK, music is also fun without the frolics, but you know what I mean!).

Thursday at Hedsor, guitarist Max Britain is on my list as the guest. 8.30 pm start. It WAS nice to see a number of you there last week, it helps us keep solvent (or is that solvent abuse?).

That's it for now folks, more later, some decent CD's to talk about, but not right now.

TTFN

Geoff C

I've had the following update from that wonderful swinging saxophonist Al Nicholls:-

I am at the King & Castle, Windsor this Wednesday, along with Rex Bennett and Bob Haddrell, details as per usual ( 6.30 - 9.30pm, free).
And as per usual, the King & Castle gig, if it continues, will be arranged around the 30th of this month.

However, we are at Mo's club on the 6th November (Bourne End Community Centre), myself, Rex, Bob and hopefully Nils Solberg.

Best wishes,
Al Nicholls

I hope some of you can make some of them!! And as a certain saxophonist recently found out, it helps to keep a diary!!

Geoff C
http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com

First this week, news of Ken Rankine.

He had an operation to pin his hip on Thursday,and is currently recovering in Hillingdon Hospital. His doctors say he will be unable to walk on it again for at least 6 weeks, but other than that(!) he is as comfortable as can be expected, and fairly resigned to the fact that he didn't lift his foot high enough to avoid the step he tripped over!

Gigs

Sunday at Fifield, Al Nichols and John Coverdale will be the guests, with Clive's Rhythm section backing them. (Clive himself is on holiday in the U.S.A.). 8 pm start, raffle funded.

Wednesday at The Harrow, Lynn Garner and Ken McCarthy resume their interrupted residency, with Brad Lang on bass added for good measure. This is a free event and starts at 8.30 pm. Food is available for the hungry.

Thursday at Hedsor, the guest is saxophonist John Rolls. 8.30 pm start £3 to get in, raffle ticket to get out!

Sunday 28th Oct, at Fifield, you can see again John Rolls, no not a filmed repeat, a real repeat! After all, this isn't the BBC!! (Fancy selling of the Wood Lane TV Centre).

Comment

I understand that "our" gigs are not alone in being poorly attended of late. Simon Spillett told me on Thursday that the previous evening he had played the 606 Club in Chelsea, to an audience of 3!!

We have sustained a few months of very low audience attendance, and I would stress that one cannot assume that live local jazz will carry on indefinitely without more people actually coming to listen. As the supermarkets of the world say "when its gone, its gone"! A mortgage can go on forever!

Geoff C

Last nights Hedsor guitar jazz evening was just wonderful!

Those (few) who were there will all assure you who weren't how marvellous it was. And they will begin to bore you, and rant on about how good it was!! AND they will be feeling smug, because THEY turned out and enjoyed one of the best evenings of "modern" modern jazz that Hedsor has seen so far.

We will try to maintain that standard, but not the standard of exclusivity that last nights audience enjoyed!

I did take my camera (see blog), Vasil WAS there, and I captured the entire evening on my MiniDisk recorder as well. I have yet to check it out properly , but an initial check when I got home last night revealed a pretty decent recording! A souvenir for all who were present if the want it, when I have tidied it up.

Next month we will have Dave O'Higgins with James and Lisa, so put the date in your diary NOW, and bring some friends as well, because it will me tremendous! November 19th.

There is another chance for you all to capture some of the jazz magic that is being created these days at The Hedsor Social Club by coming THIS THURSDAY to hear Simon Spillett!

Talking with Vasilis last night, he hasn't ever met, or played with Simon. I think we will have to rearrange that!! What at sax night THAT would be.

Geoff C

Above is a miniture list of gigs for Hedsor and Fifield. If you come TONIGHT for our guitar night at The Hedsor Social Club, you can pick up a printed copy!! AND you will hear James Fenn and Vasilis Xenopoulos doing a jazz funky thing!! 8.30 pm and £5 will see you in for a good time!!

I have JUST HAD the following in a text from Lisa Amato.

All I can say is, turn out, it should be marvelous!!

Geoff C



Hi Geoff,

Re Monday 15th

Thanks for the poster. You'll be pleased to know that Vassilis Xenopoulos will turn up this time - he's promised to stay in a local hotel the night before and I've threatened him with leg-irons. Either way, we will have the pleasure of his blowing this time round (and slightly lower blood pressure for me, hopefully).November 19th is Dave O'Higgins - he confirmed it yesterday. So two London heavyweights coming to darkest Bucks; I can't wait (although your momentary change of it to Tuesday caused a bit of minor confusion here!).

Lisa A

My Advert for the next guitar jazz night was INCORRECT!

It should have been MONDAY October 15th, not the Tuesday I mentioned.

My only excuse is that I did have my flu jab yesterday!

Geoff C

Thursday will be a special day at Hedsor this week. Mike Wills, our one man reed section, will be paying his first return visit after his illness last December. Do please make sure you are there to show him how much he has been missed. As usual, the evening starts at 8.30pm, it will cost you £3 to get in, and a raffle ticket to get out. AND just a little extra plug from me, second hand jazz CD's are always for sale at Hedsor at ridiculously low prices, so do bring some pocket money and pick up a bargain or three.

Sunday has Al Nicholls playing at The Fifield Inn, 8pm start, hot food available, but no CD's! Its raffle funded by the landlord, so don't forget to buy a few tickets.

Tuesday 16th (Yep, NEXT TUESDAY) we have another guitar night at Hedsor. I have asked Lisa Amato to organise the musical content for these evenings, and she assures me that a great selection of musicians WILL TURN UP!! each and every third Tuesday of the month! The guitar might become sometimes less evident, but she has promised us a very well known British saxophonist for the November session. So, do come along, pay your £5 into the black box, and a treat will be yours every third Tuesday.

CD's Listened to:-

First and foremost, the listening please this week has been brought to me by 2 giants of British jazz.
Possibly two of the most controversial pianist you could ever listen to are Thelonious Monk and Stan Tracey. And I know for some of you, having Stan playing Monk tunes would have you buying a ticket to a place for mental health cures! But team up Stan with the other legend, Bobby Wellins on tenor sax, and you have to my ears a spine tingling delight.

Stan Tracey has given me great pleasure and insight into the adventure of music ever since I first heard him back in the late 1950's. Monks tunes always have had an edge, that indefinable quirkiness that you suddenly find yourself whistling along with, improbable though it may seem. This album, with Andrew Cleydert on bass and Clark Tracey on drums has it all. And it is spine tingling. Recorded before an audience at the Bulls Head at Barnes last December I can only say, go out and buy it. It can be found on reSteamed records RSJ104.You will also get a bonus with this album, the sleeve notes are by Simon Spillett, and add greatly to your enjoyment of the music.

In the days before I listened to people playing saxophones, I used to go every week on a 607 trolley bus and listen to a band that had (if my memory is correct) an Irish/Estonian school teacher singing in with the it. The banjo player became pretty well know too, and the band leader is still leading a band. Chris Barber, already a popular bandleader, with skiffle supremo Lonnie Donegan on banjo (still then known as Tony until a confused announcer at a Festival Hall Concert called him Lonnie), had discovered Ottille Patterson, and everyone's view of British lady blues singers changed forever. Now, we can all relive our memories as Lake records has released 23 tracks from this classic early period. Here you can hear her not only sing, but play the piano. Not all the takes have been released before, although all the songs have. The time span is 1955 to 1963. It has some very informative sleeve notes by Paul Adams, and will add greatly to your old Chris barber collection. LACD244

If you didn't look at the blog last week, there is a 2 minute video extract of Simon Spillett playing at Hedsor. Go on, have a look at last weeks entry but don't stay looking too long, we want you out supporting Live Jazz!


Geoff C

STOP THE FRONT PAGE

This Thursday, October 4th, not only will we have the joy of John Coverdale on guitar, a crowd puller in his own right, but joining him at The Hedsor Social Club this week, will be Britain's rising jazz star SIMON SPILLETT on tenor sax!

Tell your friends, come early! Dont forget that Hedsor now has new carpeting, and very comfortable new seating. Its now an even greater place to listen to the best in British Jazz.

For your inconvenience (!) I've added the poster listing of the latest gig listing for Hedsor and Fifield. READ it, there are other "wonderful things" there. (Yes it does come out small on Blogger, if you would like a more legible file sent to you, just email me).

Geoff C

Jazz from Geoff, you know it makes sense!

The video clip below of Simon at Hedsor comes courtesy of Derek Skinner:-

Geoff's Persistant Reminders for Jazz Gigs for the next few days are:

TONIGHT our guest at Hedsor will be guitarist John Coverdale. Those who have seen him before will already be planning to come, because he IS worth turning out for. Those who have yet to experience his superb jazz guitar playing, well, he IS worth turning out for!! 8.30 pm start at The Hedsor Social Club, £3 to get in, exit only by raffle ticket !

SUNDAY at Fifield the guest is Simon Spillett, BBC Rising Jazz Star 2007, your chance to catch him whilst you can, and moreover, the event is FREE to get in, but again, a raffle ticket to get out! 8pm start, hot food available.

MONDAY, a gig at HEDSOR that I have been really looking forward to, (Yes, I DO mean Monday, it one of the guitar jazz gigs), a return visit by guitarist James Fenn and saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos, with Lisa Amato on bass and shape (!!) and I am assured a young drummer who will really drive the jazz fusion sound along. DON'T MISS IT, it will only cost you £5 to get in, and you wont be asked to buy a raffle ticket. 8.30 pm start, come early and try out the revised Hedsor seating!

WEDNESDAY 19th at The Harrow up in the Hughenden Valley, Lynn Garner, Brad Lang and Zane Cronje will be bring you an evening of fun and frolics, music and jokes, which, if enough people show support, could become a regular monthly event. Anyone who has seen Lynn do comedy at The Farnham Maltings will need no further encouragement to turn out for this (I think free) event.8.30pm start.

Retrospective

I didn't mention last nights jazz event at The Speen Festival in advance, because it was a sell-out many weeks ago. And how often can you say that about a jazz event? But in a Marquee in the village of Speen in Buckinghamshire a packed house listened and stormed for more! Drummer, and Speen resident, Martin Hart presented , what I can only describe, as an illustrated lecture, on the lives and music of Rogers and Hart. He had gathered around him some of England's best performers. Mike Wills, back from his recent illness was the reed section, Brad Lang was on bass, Ken McCarthy was at the keyboard, Oxford lecturer on percussion Alan Graham was on vibraphone, and the lyrics were sung by Lynn Garner, with Martin of course playing the drums, and doing the narration. A well rehearsed, well thought out program, where not only was great jazz music performed, but the excellent research by Martin resulted in our knowledge of the lives of both Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart being greatly increased in a most entertaining way. Well done all. It would be wrong to single out any one of the performers before another, they were a great assembly of talent. But (there are always "buts" aren't there) Martin must be congratulated on putting together a superb show.

Well that's it for now folks, see you all soon?

Geoff C

Al Nicholls has confirmed his attendance at Windsor this Wednesday:-

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the nag.
I am back at the King & Castle this Wednesday, with Rex Bennett (drums) & Bob Haddrell (piano).
Sorry for the late notice, the nature of the contract means it is only renewed on a monthly basis, that means we only find out at the beginning of the month who is booked. That, coupled with an extremely busy weekend!!
I am happy to say , I will also be at the King & Castle on the 19th September with a trio, yet to be confirmed.

Cheers, Al Nicholls

I hope some of you can make it.

Geoff C

Geoff's Nag this week will be like a game of two haves, except it may be three!

First Half, The Weeks Gigs.

TONIGHT (4.9.07)

At Bourne End Community Centre from 8.30 pm, singer Tricia Bassett will be there to entertain you, ably supported by Zane Cronje on keyboards, and a fully sustaining rhythm section. Entry is £4, and includes a raffle ticket AND a light supper.

Wednesday

I'm not sure if there is Jazz at The King and Castle in Windsor, but if it is on (Al Nichols was there last week) it starts at 6.30 pm. I'm told its a very comfortable gig, and you can get food there to.

Thursday

Is also now more comfortable than ever before, because the bar at The Hedsor Social Club has had a replacement for its bench seating!! There is now a very snazzy selection of red soft seating, which should be even more of an encouragement for you to come and try it out. AND this Thursday you could take in the mellifluous sounds, and musical experience of John Rolls. Now somewhere in his 80's, John still manages to sound remarkably like Stan Getz. Not as fast a fingerer as Simon Spillett (arthritic fingers slow him down these days) but he has great understanding of the ballad and a lifetime in the music business. It all starts at 8.30 pm, it will cost you a minimum of £3 each to get in, (pay at the Red Box) and the event is also supported by a raffle (which is so good, many only come for the that!).

Sunday

At The Fifield Inn another wonderful saxophonist joins with Clive Burton, Peter Cook. Those who have already heard him will need no further encouragement to turn out, those who haven't...WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? The gig starts at 8pm, food is available, and the event is totally supported by a raffle.

The Second Half ...Comment

I haven't had the opportunity this last week to comment about the wonderful evening we had at Hedsor with the young Greek saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. Already becoming well known on the UK jazz circuit, I think he will become a major player in the jazz world. He has all the technical ability any musician could need, he has the knack of feeling out the groove notes in any piece, and then milking them for all their worth, and he has a sense of humour as well. Yes, we were packed out, but the new seating at Hedsor managed to help us listen in comfort, and yes HE WILL BE BACK. Perhaps sooner than you think, because on MONDAY 17th September he will be performing alongside guitarist James Fenn in the opening Guitar Jazz night of the Autumn series. PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY NOW. And put the £5 to one side to get you in!

I want to reassure all who support the jazz events that I do, that we are dedicated to keeping the musical standards high, and coming in the next few weeks you will see again Simon Spillett, Peter Cook, John Coverdale and many more. One or two of you have mentioned how good the product is at Hedsor and Fifield. One person said "I could pay £15 in London and get worse music". We intend to keep to that ethic.

The Third Half ....Home Listening

I had the joy of sharing a listening session with musician and artist Keith Wilkins last week. Two cds from his bag gave me great joy.

The Howard Alden Trio with Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache is a fairly early Concord Jazz album (1989) and shows Howard's ability very well, on tunes Duke Ellington's "Purple Gazelle" and Charlie Parker's "Back Home Blues". With the afore mentioned are Mel Lewis on drums and Lynn Seaton on bass. Do look out for it, Concord CCD 4378

Another of Keith's choice sharings was "HARRY CONNICK jr. OCCASION". With Harry is another New Orleans veteran, Branford Marsalis on various saxophones. Recorded in 2005, all of the songs were written either by Branford, or Harry themselves. As a set of duets, they are excellent. Its on marsalis music/rounder 11661-3313-2. I can only wonder at the filing system that needs that number of digits to find the item!

My "riposte" to Keith's selection was an album that I don't think is available any more. I only ever had it on Vinyl, and it was only ever issued in mono, but back in 1962 Tony Coe and John Picard had a super group with Colin Purbrook piano, Spike Heatley bass and Derek Hogg drums. They made a number of Jazz Club Broadcasts and eventually they recorded a 12" LP on the Phillips label called "Swingin' till the girls come home". "Sunday Morning", Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams", "Blue Lou" are just three from an extremely good British Jazz LP. Why did we ever think we weren't good enough, and why, Oh why, have we never given Tony Coe the place in Jazz that he deserves.

Well, there you have it, as I said, a game of two halves, just like the telly!

TTFN

Geoff C

A short reminder of some of this weeks jazz events.

First two for Wednesday.

Lynn Garner, Ken McCarthy and Brad Lang are making a nostalgic return to The Harrow in the Hughenden Valley. You may remember my regular nags about their regular gig there every Wednesday, and how the local authority caused it to cease. Well, from time to time, they do still get back to sing and play there, and this Wednesday is one of those times. Do get along if you can, its free, thanks to the generosity of the pub landlord.

If you go to the next gig, you have time to catch the Harrow gig too, because Al Nichols, that lovely rich toned tenor sax man, is doing 2 successive gigs in Windsor:-

"I will be at the King & Castle, Windsor the following 2 Wednesdays, as follows:
King & Castle, Thames St. Windsor - 6.30 -9.30pm
22nd - Al Nicholls trio with Bob Haddrell, piano and Rex Bennett, drums
29th - Al Nicholls trio with Paul Eldridge, piano and Dominic Howles, double bass

Many thanks, Al"

So you could do both! Either on the same night, or one week after another!

My BIG reminder this week is that we have rising tenor sax star Vasils Xenopoulos playing for us alongside Clive Burton on Thursday this week. This is one gig you don't want to miss! More accurately, this is one gig I don't want you to miss! A wonderfully melodic yet creative musician, with a degree from Berklee Ca, this young man will go a long way (well, actually he already has, he is Greek!). As usual, the entry price is £3 and the exit price is a raffle ticket.

This coming Sunday Fifield has clarinet and sax player Pete Davis alongside Clive with Century Jazz. 8pm start.

Record revues later in the week, but for now,

GOODBYE

Geoff C

The Back Cover of the 1938 Carnegie Hall Paul Whiteman Concert


The Front Cover of the Keith Nichols tribute to Paul Whiteman


Just a short Blog this week.

On Thursday at Hedsor we have John Rolls on saxophones (one at a time, but still a muliread player). He has a wonderful way with ballads, so come and pay your £3 and have a listen from 8.30pm onwards.

Sunday at Fifield, another great sax player (and wasn't John Barnes wonderful there last Sunday? But where was the jazz loving audience?), Al Nichols will be swinging along, mostly on tenor sax. This is a free event, but I'm sure the landlord would like to recover some of the costs of his new carpet, so do buy a decent number of raffle tickets.

Coming soon to Hedsor (23rd August) another rising star in the jazz firmament, Vasils Xenopoulos. Miss that gig and you will really miss something very special. He is a regular with "The Sound of 17" big band, and so knows Ken Rankine very well, and I was talking with Ken McCarthy about him on Sunday too, and he is truly a star coming over our horizon.

Thinking of stars, John Barnes played a truly stunning solo on Stardust last Sunday. He started out the number on baritone, but switched to clarinet for his solo, which came as a fitting finale to an evening where meteorites could really be seen outside!

CD Listening

This week I have listened to a recreation of Paul Whiteman's Orchestra by Keith Nichols with the Northern Sinfonia recorded at a concert in The Sage in Gateshead. Initially one would think that the music was passed it's sell by date, but after a few minutes one is captivated by the arrangement and orchestration. Its another success for Lake Records. Its recorded in very good quality sound, and makes you realise what the original must have sounded like. Yes, we do have recordings of the Original Whiteman sound, so I dug them out to listen to.

On Nostalgia Arts ( a division of storyville records ) you can find all of he Christmas Day Carnegie Hall Concert of 1938. I was 4 moths old at the time and don't remember it well! But if you really want to hear the original band (in less Fi than Keith Nichols) then try for 303 3025.Its a double CD, and the last piece is Rhapsody in Blue. Originally written for, and performed by, The Whiteman Orchestra for his first Carnegie Hall concert in 1928.

The album is a must for serious jazz musicologists, the sleeve notes are extensive, and the whole thing very worth having.

One final thought, we could put together a very useful trio, of just Nichols!! Chris Nichols on Drums, Keith Nichols on Piano, and Al Nichols on Tenor. Now there's a thought!

TTFN


Geoff C

So, what is up and coming in the next few days? Well, just because its my birthday tomorrow, August 7th, Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters are playing The Bourne End Community Centre for Centre Jazz. 8.30 start, entry by raffle ticket (£4?), which will also get you a light supper.

Wednesday 8th August at Thame Snooker Hall, in a concert jazz performance you will find that great modern jazz saxophonist Peter King, entry price £10. For more details visit http://www.blogger.com/

Thursday, at Hedsors now famous Social Club (did you see the wonderful spread we got last week in the Maidenhead Advertiser) is another great jazz saxophonist, and educator, Peter Cook, alongside the ever regular Clive Burton Quintet. Entry £3, exit only by raffle ticket! Start time 8.30pm.

It was indeed very rewarding to see so many people turn out for last weeks session at Hedsor with rising star Simon Spillett, and all who came will know the tremendous session that we had (with Tim Best replacing our regular Zane Cronje who was brave enough to take a holiday in Scotland!). Simon was in storming form, and unbelievably, IS improving all the time. I don't know how he can be improved, but he seems too!

Sunday, at the Fifield Inn (with a start time of 8pm) the guest is one of Britain's legends. John Barnes, on saxophones, reeds, vocals and jokes. He has played with everyone of note (from The Zenith Six to Humph) and beyond. A great night out for all is assured, come early if you want a seat. Entry is free, but the landlord would like you more if you purchased some raffle tickets!

In line with the more traditional aspect of this weeks music (the Shirtlifters are a trad band if you were in any doubt), I have listened to two new albums from Lake records this week.

The First a CD entitle "featuring Archie Semple" has 9 of the 21 tracks were recorded in 1958 with a band that was really the Alex Welsh band, but with Colin Smith on trumpet instead. So you also have the joy of hearing Fred Hunt and Roy Crimmins again. All of the tracks that came out in some form or other on the 77 Records label organised by Doug Dobell. They really swing along, and have made me realise that when Alex changed over to a line up that included Roy Williams and John Barnes, he was already used to playing in a more mainstream style. Some of the remaining tracks include Beryl Bryden, Britain's popular female jazz singer of the time, and almost forgotten now, there are some tracks that feature the trumpet and voice of Nat Gonella. Archie is of course well to the for, with his breathy Pee Wee sounding clarinet. It was a real shame that we lost him to alcohol so soon in his life.

The Second CD really took me back (and my breath away!). "That Patterson Girl" has most of the tracks Ottile Patterson performed with the Chris Barber Band between 1955 and 1963. Various line ups, but all of the tracks from the first issue on the Nixa Jazz Today label are included. I couldn't bring myself to realise that I had first heard her over 50 years ago. The band in the photos all look so young (they were) and thin (they were, and in those days so was I!). It bought time travel to my front room as I was swept back to those early days of British Traditional Jazz. There are included with this compilation one or two previously unissued takes of previously issued songs, and it is well worth you going out and buying the thing!!

Both are Lake Records releases, Archie Semple is LACD240, and Ottilie is LACD224. If you would like more information about Lake Records look at http://www.blogger.com/

Well that's it from me folks,

TTFNGeoff C