It is with great sadness that I have to let you all know that Zane Cronje died at 3.55 this morning. He had been unconscious for 2 days, and just slipped away.

Margaret doesn't want any calls at the moment, but appreciates your support. Perhaps you can let others who may not be on my nag list know this news.

More details about the funeral will come in the next few days.

Very soon after Zane arrived on our jazz scene, I wrote a kind of CV for him. Below is the front of what was a glossy fold over leaflet

Next is the summery he wrote himself to go with the CV:-

"Born in South Africa, I am a successful world stage musician, currently in the UK to extend my experience of jazz piano. I have won many awards and gained much experience in the South African Broadcasting Media.

In the 1970’s and 80’s I was a recording artist for companies including EMI and CBS Records. I have accompanied many touring singers including Caterina Valente, Alma Cogan, Sandy Shaw, Helen Shapiro, and Spike Milligan.

Since arriving in the UK in July 2001 I have been playing jazz piano with local bands “Century Jazz” and “The Clive Burton Quartet”, having regular weekly club engagements with both bands. I have also played with the “The Chosen Few” Big Band led by Bill Castle for 6 months. I have accompanied a number of local singers, both in performance and in the recording studio, and I have played cocktail piano for “The Mill” at Sonning, and “The Christopher Wren” at Eton. In addition I have appeared at a number of Jazz Concerts. I have composed music for TV Adverts, Soap Operas, and Films, as well as being a TV Studio musical director and arranger."

I knew him for most of his time in the UK, and before he met Margaret, I took him to some of the UK's tourist attractions. He loved Winchester, Salisbury, and Malmesbury, and wanted to see so much more. I also interviewed him on Cookham Summer FM, and learnt a bit about his early life in SA.

As a musician he will be sorely missed. He excelled as an accompanist, and as a soloist. He was a founder member of The Clive Burton Quintet, our regular Hedsor Jazz band and we have enjoyed his company for over 10 years.

I believe now he has found the peace that we wished for him collectively at Hedsor on Thursday.

I just hope now that his family and friends will also find some peace, knowing he is out of the trap that his body had kept him in for the last few months.

There is a time for all things, for tears as well as joy, and for memories and for recollections too.

Geoff

Adventures in Jazz Land (Well, Ealing Actually!).

Last night June and I had a real adventure. We were invited by Vasilis and his partner Valentina to see/hear the Xtet on their home ground.

The Lodge Tavern in Ealing is Vasilis and the Xtet’s regular, alternate Sunday's, place of work. On entering, it was fairly busy, although no music had started, but a loud conversational buzz was already underway.

June needed to visit the Ladies room. She was amused whilst there to be asked “you must be someones mother?”. This by a young lady who is shortly to celebrate her 30th birthday! Now I admit to being 72, June admits nothing! BUT for a jazz night at The Lodge, we were definitely the odd ones out, inviting curious looks from many of the 30 ish year old clientele.

There were other differences too. NO real beer at all, all lagers. I ordered drinks for 3 at the bar, and whilst delivering 2, I left my pint of larger on the bar. On returning for it, I caught up with it just in time to prevent a young lady from sweeping it away in her left hand. She relinquished it with a scowl, and a smile from the bar man! We don’t expect beer hijacking in Hedsor!

It seemed so different from our local jazz experience, where I would rank as a middle aged jazz fan. Some are younger, some are older, but almost NONE are 30 or under.

I thought this very interesting. We at Hedsor Jazz have been cogitating (as old codger would) how to increase our audience, and attract some younger people, you know, school children of 45! We put on first class jazz, we charge a modest entry fee (£5, the Lodge was free), but never seem to attract that age range.

The Lodge Tavern became very full as the music started. Many people new each other, and were obviously friends, just as we are at Hedsor. Some were musicians, just as at Hedsor, and, towards the end of the second half, 3 different instruments sat in for one number each, not unknown at Hedsor either.

But, the conversations didn’t stop, even after the music started, the background noise of those conversations was colossal.

But the music itself was, as I expected, great jazz fusion. If you came to the Marlow Jazz Festival last October, you would have seen the exact same band. Vasilis, leader on saxophone, Peter Billington on keyboards (2), Mark Rose on bass and Chris Nicholls on drums. Well drilled, with good solos from everyone. The music was arranged so that everyone could shine on at least one number, and in reality, on many numbers. First Class.

So, what for Hedsor. We think that younger people don’t hear “our” kind of music, and yes its true, it isn’t on the Radio very often. But there is an audience of younger people out there. How do we convince them that we would make them as welcome to Hedsor as the young people of The Lodge made us, because they did. Once their initial shock of how old we were had worn off, we were very pleasantly conversed with (“in ear” begins to have a new meaning) by a number of the guests.

So, for all you up to 30 year old wherever you are, if you like modern jazz, you will be welcomed at The Hedsor Social Club on any Thursday. You will just have to forgive us if we can remember the Cuban Missile Crisis and Saturday Morning pictures.

Or don’t 30 year olds live around here anymore?

Geoff C

LAST WEEK

Well wasn’t that a session last Thursday? What you weren’t there? You missed one of the best improvised jazz sessions of the year. As a band, the ensemble had never played together before, but the result of the combined efforts of Clive Burton, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Nigel Fox, John Monney and Mike Jeffries was exciting, enthralling, and left one member of the audience telling me the Vasilis was a Greek god! Didn’t it swing, and Clive was right when he compared Mike Jeffries to Buddy Ric….. What an amalgam of guests. The great thing about jazz is that you never know when it is going to happen; it is almost akin to spontaneous combustion!

Which is why you should try not to miss any of the sessions we have at The Hedsor Social Club!

THIS WEEK

This coming week, we have another chance of improvised delight. We will be without Clive this time, but in front of Nigel Fox, Mike Jeffries and Ken Rankine (I think) will be John Coverdale on guitar (as advertised) BUT with another saxophonist that we have great expectations from (especially if you heard him at the Zane Cronje Benefit Concert). Don Wright will be coming out to play!

Usual start time of 8.30pm for the music (7pm for the bar), and only £5 to get you in and that gives you a raffle ticket as well.

SPECIAL OFFER

If you have been to Hedsor recently you will know that we are keen to attract new followers. Many people who like the kind of jazz that gets played there don’t know about it. So, we are offering a very special discount.

Bring a friend who has NOT BEEN to Hedsor Jazz before and their first visit as your guest will be on us, not you. Yes, a new guest will be admitted free, and they will get a raffle ticket! Like most offers, this is time limited, so get in soon.

We also feel that it would be nice if we could introduce a younger audience to the delights of live jazz, so why not combine our special offer, and bring someone who is even younger than you!!

The BBC does very little to encourage a new audience for jazz. I guess many of you found jazz through Radio in the days when it was a generally more popular music (pre beatles?). If you have any ideas on how we can present this wonderful and vital music in front of secondary school age people upwards, do let us know.

CD REVIEWS

I have two wonderful CD’s for you to seek out this week.

The first has been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks just waiting for me to blog about it. “Bill Allred, The New York Sessions” also features Bill’s son John. Both of them play pretty astonishing trombone. The father has been a stalwart of the US Dixieland scene for many years, his son John plays with a more modern jazz flourish. They have combined their talents on an Arbours Records CD (therefore of astounding Hi Fi quality, they always are) which is Modern Jazz, Mainstream Jazz, Swinging Jazz, and great fun to boot! Hear you have it all, brass, Hammond organ, vocals, even Howard Alden playing a banjo. I cannot recommend it enough, and I don’t think any genuine jazz fan will not enjoy it. OK, Ken Colyer fans may call it “insincere” but they would be wrong. These guys and girls (Nicky Parrot on bass) play with a self assurance of seasoned performers who know what an audience will enjoy. It’s just great fun. Listen to “Muskrat Ramble”, or the Dave Frisberg tune “I Want To Be A Sideman” to see what I mean. It’s a new release, and the number is ARCD 19395

The Second CD is new to me, but in fact was recorded in 1992. “Joe Henderson, Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn” is just that, Joe H playing Billy Strayhorn tunes. They were always tunes of great quality and character (he wrote “Blood Count” from his hospital bed the year he died, 1967). The CD’s approach is to use different combining’s of the 5 players involved. Starting with just saxophone and bass for “Isfahan”, ending with 1 (Mr Henderson by himself) on “Lush Life”, this is jazz at its most excellent. The recording is superb. Wait till the neigbours go out and turn up the volume, and listen to the sound he makes with that tenor sax. His musical companions are all extremely accomplished players (Wynton Marsalis trumpet, Stephen Scott piano, Christian McBride bass and Gregory Hutchinson drums) and the arrangements all show off the tune to its best advantage. It is extremely good and it’s on Verve 511-779-2

I must go and play “Isfahan” again!

TTFN

Geoff

Wow, its another Wednesday (my life) already. How did that happen?

Just to keep you up to speed, and interested in coming to Hedsor Jazz on a Thursday, below is a list of the front line guests who will be playing for you in the next few weeks.

This week, 31st March the only regular member of the Clive Burton Quintet who will be playing is Clive. BUT, and as you can see it is a big BUT, we do have the following band to listen to:-

With Clive on the trombone will be Vasilis Xenopoulos on saxophone, Nigel Fox, on keyboard, John Monney on bass, and Mike Jeffries on drums. Well worth the £5 entry fee.

I cannot be as precise as to the makeup of the band in the next few weeks, but I think it will be like this:-

April 7th

Clive Burton, John Coverdale on guitar (do you remember the “unforgettable” guitar duet John did at Zane’s benefit concert with Max Brittain? You weren’t there? We still have some recordings for you to buy!), possibly Nigel Fox on keyboard, Ken Rankine on bass, and Mike Jeffries on drums.

April 14th

A triple whammy:- Clive plus Mark Aston AND Tracey Mendham on saxophones and fun! Ken, Mike Jeffries, and a keyboard player.

April 21st

Clive, with the wonderful trumpet and flugel horn of Stuart Henderson, with Martin Hart (back from Texas) on drums (thank you Mike for your help for the last three weeks), Ken, and a keyboard player.

April 28th

The regular band, with an as yet to be named keyboard player, with special guest trombone player Steve Shaw. Is that J&K or what?

May 5th

Guest will be Peter Cook on saxophone.

May 12th

Our guest will be trumpet and flugel horn ace Paul Eshelby, a featured soloist with the BBC Big Band for 17 years.

May 19th

Back with us again as our guest will be Simon Spillett on tenor sax.

May 26th

A welcome return for our guest saxophonist Al Nicholls.

You see, every cloud has a silver lining. The sad fact that our regular saxophonist is grounded (see last week) has meant that many of our other friends have stepped forward to play for us at Hedsor. Tell you mom, bring your friends. We need them like never before. Help us keep the jazz flag flying at Hedsor for live jazz and social contact. Hedsor Jazz must not be allowed to go under in these difficult cultural times.

CD Review

We nearly always have a quintet at Hedsor. Some places without a proper music licence use the two in a bar rule for music. In February last year two musicians played Nola’s Penthouse in New York. They happened to be Saxophonist Scott Hamilton, and the Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello. Their combined talents went un-aided by any others, and the result is a CD of musical charm and warmth.

Very suitably, the CD is entitled “Midnight at Nola’s Penthouse”. There they are playing tunes that are less associated than some with Modern Jazz. Show tunes, love songs, songs that have real melody. “A Garden in the Rain”, “Come Back to Sorrento”, “In the Middle of a Kiss”, but also “Big Butter and Egg Man”, which could possibly be called a love song. After all, it’s about a girl who wants to find a rich farmer to settle down with, someone who is big in butter and eggs!

Yes, it’s late night music, but very well performed, and as it’s on the Arbors label, VERY well recorded. ARCD 19415. I know some ladies who love that rich warm saxophone sound, perhaps you do too, in which case…..

TTFN

Geoff

Hedsor Jazz Update

Thursday March 24th

Just a reminder about tonight's Hedsor Jazz Gig.

With Clive Burton we have Trumpet and Flugelhorn player Mike Nichols, with the keyboard role being performed by Nigel Fox.

Soon we will be able to let you know about future replacements for Mike Wills whilst he is without a driving licence (for the next 3 months, see my blog this week). Next Thursday, 31st March, we are delighted to welcome back to Hedsor that fine young saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos.

He should also have the benefit of Nigel Fox on keyboard as well. Due to holidays our drummer will be Mike Jeffries , who will be filling in for Martin Hart for 3 weeks.

There are some gaps to fill in at the moment, but we do have Stuart Henderson (again trumpet etc) for 21st April and Paul Eshelby booked for 12th May. Simon Spillett will be with us on May 19th.

So, keep coming to Hedsor Jazz, keep being surprised by the quality of the music, and finally persuade yourselves that Hedsor Jazz, whilst buried in the grass roots of jazz, is a wonderful place for growth!

Geoff

Hedsor Jazz News

It never rains, but it, well, you know, you get wet!!

Our reed section, Mr. Mike Wills went for a check up today for his pacemaker, and due to an occurrence that the computer records kept IN the pacemaker told the hospital today, he is unable to drive for 3 months. No, thankfully he is perfectly well, but in January his pacemaker fired off a sort of wake up call, it was unbeknown to him, but he now has to hand over his driving licence for 3 months, and will need to be re checked by the medics before he can start driving again.

This has devastated him, and does of course have a knock on effect for the Clive Burton Quintet! We will be getting in contact with all the guests who played at Zane’s benefit concert to fill Mike's gap for 3 months, and of course, we will also be finding a few keyboard players for you to listen to as well.

Therefore, this week, we will have a newcomer to Hedsor, Trumpet and flugelhorn player Mike Nichols. He has played before with our guest pianist this week, Nigel Fox.

The rest of the band will be familiar (not too familiar you understand!), but next week the drummer will change, as Martin Hart will be taking a 3 week holiday break. In the back row in his place will be Mike Jeffries. And he thought he wouldn’t have enough to do when he was retired!!

All our normalish sessions at Hedsor on a Thursday start at 8.30 pm, and the admission fee is still £5*.

Zane

Zane is now in The Thames Valley Hospice in Windsor, and I visited him this morning.

He is obviously very week, but mentally in good shape. He doesn’t have the strength to read, or to listen to music, but does enjoy conversation. I was told that visiting hours are 24!! but I was unable to stay that long! And you may well be rewarded with a cup of tea, as I was today. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, the place is spotless, and he has a single room with a view over the garden.

*Jazz Angels

John Dutton will shortly be circulating a letter to all who attend Hedsor Jazz asking for financial contributions to ensure we can keep live jazz going at Hedsor. For some months now we have been loosing money every week, and our piggy bank no longer rattles. See John and offer him money. He will explain how the Jazz Angels scheme works.

Well that's it for now. I will endeavour to write up another CD very soon, right now, I'm off for a starving blood test!!

Zane on the Move

We had a phone call from Margaret yesterday evening telling us that Zane is being transferred to the Thames Valley Hospice TODAY, a day earlier than was first thought. I have included details of the hospice, in Windsor, very near to Margaret and his home.

I'm sure he will be more comfortable here, do take a look at their website and watch the 10 minute video clip of the Hospice’s work.

http://www.thameshospicecare.org.uk/Our-services/Our-Services/in-patient

then "click here" to watch the DVD.

Don’t forget that at HEDSOR JAZZ tonight, we have the regular band, with guest pianist Geoff Clark. Hedsor Social Club, £5 entry, 8.30 pm start.

We do still have copies of the double CD of the Zane Cronje Benefit Concert for sale at £8, all funds go to help Zane.

Help keep live jazz alive by coming yourself and bringing a friend. You may even make some more if you do!

News of Zane

It has been decided that Zane will go into the Thames Valley Hospice towards the end of this week. It is only a 5 minute walk from Margaret’s home, and they will be able to give him the care and attention that he needs now. There is no more that the Hospital can do for him.

This Week at Hedsor Jazz

For our regular Thursday session this week we have the regular band (The Clive Burton Quintet, wasn’t last week’s music wonderful) and the deputy pianist will be Jeff Clark.

As usual the music starts at 8.30 pm, and it will cost you £5 to get in. Last week’s attendance was a bit on the small side, and if you still have friends, bring them along, we need their money!

CD Review

One way or another, I get to hear quite a number of Jazz CD’s. If I don’t know the performer, I will usually put the CD on, listen to a few tracks, and very quickly make up my mind as to listening now, because it is so interesting, putting it off for a later time, or deciding then that those few tracks were enough.

Recently a new CD by someone I know came in, and of course I wanted to have a listen, and make up my mind if it were a good recording, a good performance and something to be savoured for later, or so good, I must hear as much of it as time allows now!

We met Michael L Roberts through Vasilis Xenopoulos 2 years ago. We wanted to book Vasilis and his Xtet for the Cookham Festival’s Jazz night in 2009. Vasilis wanted to “sell” me a male singer. I was unsure, girls singers usually have a certain attraction for me, (I saw Tina May last Friday), but I cant say I have been as keen to rush out and buy a male singers CD. OK Frank Sinatra is the exception, I’ve had “Sinatra at The Sands”, with The Count Basie Band since it was first released. But booking a male singer for a jazz night, well I wasn’t sure. I am so glad that Vasilis persuaded me to go along with his choice, because that night we heard Michael L Roberts, and people in the audience were coming up to me saying “Where did you find him, I haven’t heard anything like that for ages”.

Since then, we have heard him at Hedsor with Vasilis, and again with the Xtet at The Marlow Jazz Festival and it has always been a very enjoyable experience.

The CD is no exception, but it is pretty exceptional, because I played it through from track 1 to track 8 in one bight (the remaining tracks coming a day later!). I just hadn’t the heart to turn it off until I absolutely had to. No Vasilis! But yes, one or two familiar faces in the band from my Monday Hedsor jazz nights (Chris Nichols on Drums), and from the Marlow event (Mark Rose on bass). But also in the band are Rob Barron on piano, Chris Montague on guitar and on 2 tracks the added voice of Anita Wardell. The recording is of Hi Fi demo standard, the songs a mixture of standards and original compositions, and overall a kind of Pat Metheny sound. A truly magical mix of voice and instruments. A small group, but producing an interwoven mix. The highlight for me was one of Michael’s original compositions, “Faces” which has Anita singing with Michael. I could go on about it, but you can hear some of it for free via Michaels web site http://www.michaellroberts.com/

I think that Michael will go far. He has a great voice, with good control. You never get that unhappy feeling that he isn’t going to get the right note. That duet with Anita is worth the purchase price alone, but there is so much else for you to enjoy too.

He returns to the Cookham Festival this year again with Vasilis and the Xtet on May 20th. Make sure you get your ticket soon.

In the meantime download or buy that Michael L Roberts album. It’s called “Moving is Living” Nota Bene Productions Ltd NBP030, iTunes and Amazon.

Two More Photos from The Zane Cronje Benefit Concert

Don Wright

Ken McCarthy

It’s another Wednesday. For some of the day, the sun has shone, something has displaced the colour gray.

Tomorrow something else may help out with the mood. It’s Jazz Night at The Hedsor Social Club with The Clive Burton Quintet. We have had some absolutely splendid nights of jazz at Hedsor over the last few weeks. Most memorable of course would be the Zane Cronje Benefit Concert. What an array of top British talent was there for us to enjoy. We have also had some more usual nights, in our normal room, the bar!! But we have had some wonderful music. Last week, Stuart Henderson alongside Clive was joined by Simon Spillett. The music could not have been bettered in a club charging 3 times the price for entry and a similar surcharge for drinks! The Hedsor bar is now able to serve proper beer, Rebellion is in the air! Well, it’s in the barrel at Hedsor now, and what a treat.

Tomorrow, we have with us again our “regular” reed section; Mike Wills will be with us! All the saxophones, but he never brings his clarinet!! Some of the Benny Goodman style stuff that the Marlow Jazz Festival enjoyed would be nice (hint hint!).

I am uncertain who the guest keyboard man is tomorrow, but we have been treated to some great players during Zane’s absence, so I’m sure tomorrow night will be no exception. We are drawing on the talents of Ken McCarthy (last week), Nigel Fox (the benefit night), Malcolm Cliff (over Christmas), and we have a promise of Alan Berry when he can make it.

There is also that exceptional raffle to excite you and some CD’s for sale as well.

So why not get out your £5 note and come and join us. The music kicks off at 8.30 pm; the bar is open at 7 pm.

Dee and June visited Zane this morning, and I am pleased to report that he seems a bit more comfortable than last week. It must be the feminine touch! Still frail, but with a better colour and a firm handshake. Remember he said he would be back, lets hope that will be the case. At the moment I think that both Zane and Margaret value our thoughts, and care full actions on their behalf.

One final thought. My wife has a "thought a day" note pad. Todays thought is

"Musicians Don't Retire. They Stop When There's No More Music In Them"

And who said that? Louis Armstrong!

TTFN

Geoff

You have to get it right, Don Wright!

Good Morning Jazz Fans,

Following on from last weeks amazing benefit concert for Zane Cronje, this week we have with The Clive Burton Quintet (or even as part of the quintet this week) 2 of last weeks guest players.

On keyboard will be Ken McCarthy, and joining Clive at the front will be trumpeter Stuart Henderson. Our usual admittance fee of £5 applies, which includes a raffle ticket, and the music starts at 8.30 pm.

I did record last weeks concert, and some copies of this double album of the complete concert will be available soon. I have so far produced 6 and I took Zane a copy yesterday.

Zane is having another hour of Chemo today. Yesterday he was very tired, and uncomfortable, still unable to keep food down, and suffering now from bed sores. He and Margaret send you their love, they certainly need ours at this time.

Geoff C

Being true to my word, and also being grateful to one of the audience of the benefit concert, below is a comment by Alan Peppett on Thursdays concert. I have "lost" email addresses for Max Brittain and John Coverdale in last Decembers computer malfunction (crash!!), so will someone make sure they read it.

Alan wrote;-

Hi Geoff, Thanks for posting the photos, it was a great success last night both musically and financially. I would just like to comment on the superb pairing of messrs. Coverdale & Brittain. What a fascinating combination of skills, the music so tastefully played had me trying to hear every single note - it was that good! For me it was the highlight of the evening, the way they effortlessly changed from solos to accompaniment, in complete harmony with one another, was spellbinding, sublime even. As for the other instrumentalists, they all put in first class performances - and the finale was something else! What a rare opportunity to hear so many talented musicians in one session. A night to remember for sure and a magnanimous and uplifting gesture from all the Musos involved. Let's hope it lifted Zane's spirits to know that so many people were there last night just for his "benefit" Thanks to all the helpers, caterers and yourself for the effort involved and a wonderful night of Jazz. Good on ya! Alan.

Now, wasn’t that a splendid night last night?

A really special evening, not only due to the cause, Zane’s illness, and the large amount of money the event raised, which gob smacked Zane, but also the quality and joy of the music.

I must offer a very special “thank you” too to all of the musicians who gave of their time and talent so freely.

We also had a number of audience members who had not been to Hedsor before, and I do hope that they were awed enough by the quality of the performance that they come again (and again and again) to help us keep Jazz at Hedsor solvent. As was mentioned in the Maidenhead Advertiser, I wanted to see people smiling at Hedsor Last night, and I think you all did that. Some of you, no names, seemed to have a permanent smile attached. Great.

I did record all of the music on my mini disk recorder, and I hope fairly soon to have that available in a purchasable form. Again, this can raise money for Zane.

The Hedsor Social Club is definitely improving under Mark’s guidance. The beer is now very drinkable, and it was not surprising that the musicians who were not playing at the time did seem to be at the bar end of the room!

I won’t write a lot now about last night’s music, perhaps someone else might like to do a review of it anyway, and I will post in into my blog. I will just put up a few of the photos I took of last night’s event. But there were some memorable musical highlights. “A Train” as a finale will be remembered by many I’m sure. The sudden sound of 4 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 2 guitars, 2 percussion, bass and keyboard could perhaps become intoxicating! When can I get another fix like that one?

So, to Zane.

I visited him this morning. He was absolutely amazed at the amount raised. Apparently when Margie asked him to guess how much we had raised last night, he started at £300, then £500, and when told “over £1000” he couldn't believe it. When I had suggested to him that we ran a benefit night for him some weeks ago, he really did only expect a few hundred pounds.

Zane now has (of this morning) a new chair that can be electrically operated to get him into comfortable positions. He did look very comfortable for sure! It goes completely flat if required, so he could sleep on it if he wanted to.

He does have a number of chemo sessions lined up in the next 3 weeks or so, so we must all keep him on our thoughts and prayers.

But well done all of you who came and participated in last nights fundraiser for Zane.

TTFN

Geoff

Good Morning Viet.... no, sorry, that's some other program!

Good Morning Jazz Fans, and supporters of Hedsor Jazz in particular.

We are now beginning to realize that Zane Cronje’s illness will take him away from the Clive Burton Quintet for a little while, and we have now put into place some interesting and exciting deputy pianists. We thought we would take the opportunity of Zane’s absence by not only having (as we sometimes do) top notch front line soloists, but a few top notch keyboard men too.

Tomorrow, Thursday 10^th February, we will have at Hedsor the following personnel, all great players in their own right.

Clive Burton on Trombone, the platform upon which all else at Hedsor is built.

John Coverdale on guitar

Ken Rankine (or John Monney, yet to be fixed) on bass

Martin Hart on drums,

And on the keyboard this week, Ken McCarthy.

Ken was Dame Vera Lynn’s pianist up until the time she gave up singing, this is what is said about him on his web site:-

“Ken was both piano player and musical director for the big West End shows - "Bubbling Brown Sugar","Evita", "42nd St.", "Some Like It Hot", "Joseph - - -" and others.

Over the years, he's also worked the clubs and theatres, being "on the road" with firstly Frankie Vaughan, then Roy Castle for years. becoming pianist with Dame Vera Lynn during her last few singing years, performing in many countries for royal occasions.

Much of his work has taken him on major cruise ships - QE2, Oriana, Arcadia, Royal Caribbean and other American lines - where a high musical standard is always required. More recently, Trio Fantasia with its mixture of classics and jazz is gaining national recognition and is a showcase for Ken's brilliant piano technique.”

So, don’t miss this Thursday!

For Zane’s Benefit night on February 17^th, the cast so far is just wonderful!

Clive Burton, trombone,

Stuart Henderson, trumpet,

our regular (but recently irregular) reed section, Mike Wills, who’s recent playing has gone from strength to strong!

Max Brittain will be on guitar (see HIS resume by following the link below),

Ken Rankine on bass,

Martin Hart on drums,

and two extra special guests Nigel Fox on keyboard, who played the Marlow Jazz Festival in the recreation of the Benny Goodman Quintet with Martin and Mike,

and one of our favorite saxophone players who grooves like crazy, Vasilis Xenopoulos.

£7 entry, additional raffle, and NO MUSICIAN WILL GET PAYED, all the money will go to Zane for all those little essential items that he may now need.

DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT. Tickets from Cookham’s Stationery Depot 01628 531178.

for Max Brittain go to http://www.maxbrittain.com/

Zane

Zane has now seen an oncologist, and he has opted for a form of chemotherapy, that although a "strong" one, may give him a chance of some remission, but not cure. Those of us who pray may like to keep Zane in our prayers, those who think there is a power in positive thought can keep Zane in our thoughts.

Next week, more news, because we have booked ahead!,

Just an Update on the cast for Zane's Benefit Concert.

As you will see from the revised poster, we have some real stars coming to support the night. I hope you will all make it too! As well as being able to purchase tickets from the Stationery Depot in Cookham, you can get them from The Hedsor Social Club on a Thursday, which gives you even more incentive to come this week to hear The Clive Burton Quintet.

When I have more news about the concert, I will update the blog.

In the meantime, news of Zane is that his oncology appointment has been put back from today until February 8th.

Do keep him in your thoughts.

Geoff

Some of you, I know, find Friday nights boring. Very little local jazz. Well, at least some of the local lads feel the same. Above is a poster for 2 guys we know fairly well and they are playing TONIGHT. If you are free, and still bored, why not go along, you may even get in before the food runs out!!

A quick look back on last night. What a lovely sound John Rolls generates, and it did swing along very well. OK, so it all got a bit chaotic towards the end, but that's what the Rebellion Beer is for!!

There must have been something remarkable on the TV last night as well, because a number of you stayed at home. We have your names. In future we require absence notes signed by a responsible person! So, we will see you ALL next week.

Don't forget, you need to get your tickets for Feb 17th, the Zane Cronje Benefit night concert. I can say now that we do have Max Brittain on guitar, and Stuart Henderson on Trumpet already signed up to come, and all the musicians coming have generously agreed that they will ask NO FEE, in line with the Hedsor Social Club themselves who are giving us the big room at no cost. A great response to a time of need.

TTFN

Geoff

A few reminders for all you jazz fans out there.

Tonight at Hedsor Jazz we do have Clive Burton on trombone, but with him this week will be Malcolm Cliff on keyboard, Mike Jeffries on drums and John Monney on bass.

Our star front man with Clive this week is veteran saxophonist with that wonderful tone, John Rolls.

Help to Keep Live Jazz Alive. Come out and enjoy real people!

Usual start time of 8.30 pm, and usual entry cost of £5. The bar, now seemingly stocking a decent real ale, is 7 pm.

Tickets for the Zane Cronje Benefit night on February 17th will be on sale from tonight at £7 each.

A Benefit Night for Zane Cronje

As you are aware Zane has been unable to play for some weeks, and in his current condition does need some additional comforts.

I have discussed the idea with him of running a benefit night at Hedsor to go towards these varying needs. He would be very appreciative of this, and is indeed touched that we should think of him with such warmth.

Clive Burton and I have settled on Thursday February 17th, and we have already booked the big room at The Hedsor Social Club.

There will be an admittance charge, and also a voluntary donation collection. All money raised will be going to Zane, so please put the date in your diary NOW. I will prepare some poster artwork, and we will sell tickets before hand as well.

The room has limited capacity, and we do want to fill it, but also need to have control over numbers. Don't let this stop you letting people know! We can use the bar as well as the bigger room!

Geoff C

JAZZ AT HEDSOR

and on the BBC

Some of you have asked if I had had any response from the BBC over my complaint for abandoning Jazz for Opera. Well, today I can say "Yes, I have".

Reproduced below is that reply, and my comment back to the BBC about it.

From: bbc_complaints_website@bbc.co.uk

Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 8:10 AM

To: Geoffrey Cronin

Subject: BBC Complaints - Case number CAS-526879-V1HDX1

Dear Mr Cronin

Reference CAS-526879

Thanks for contacting us regarding 'Jazz Radio Requests', broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

I understand that you are unhappy that this programme was not broadcast on the 8 January in its usual scheduled slot.

I appreciate your disappointment, especially since you are a fan of the programme and the genre. BBC Radio 3 dedicate the first twelve days of January to Mozart, calling it 'The Genius of Mozart Season'. All the programmes featured Mozart's music, including the opera you heard on the 8 January. 'Jazz Radio Requests' did return on the 15 January.

We’re guided by the feedback that we receive and to that end I'd like to assure you that I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, programme makers, channel controllers and other senior managers.

The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.

Thanks for taking the time to contact us.

Finally, I have attached an invitation from BBC Audience Services' Head of Communications & Complaints, asking you to participate in our customer survey. We would welcome your views on our service.

Kind Regards

Mark Roberts
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

My Reply

"Thank you Mark for your reply, but I don't feel that your understanding of my complaint is complete.

It is not only once, or even once a year, that Jazz Record Requests is ditched for opera, either completely or in part. This happens many times throughout the year .

How many complaints have you had from opera fans of the reverse being true?

How many 12 day periods have been handed over to the genius of jazz?

Also you haven't commented about my theme of accessible jazz, the jazz of the genre played on JRR being missing from the radio schedules. We have lost regular programs Like “The Best of Jazz”, and “Jazz Club”. Not all of the Avant Guard jazz that is sometimes broadcast is appreciated by the majority of jazz fans. British jazz players seem to have little exposure on the BBC airwaves.

Jazz is an art form, but it can also be hugely entertaining. If properly broadcast and explained, many more of a younger audience would appreciate the great fun and joy that can be had from JAZZ.

No matter what form of music, we do need to develop an appreciation amongst a younger audience for live music. Music produced by human beings who are right in front of the audience. The BBC could encourage this, and I am sure that they would find jazz more affordable than opera.

G Cronin"

Recent Live Jazz

Looking back over a couple of Thursday jazz sessions at Hedsor, 2 weeks ago Simon Spillett with beard was absolutely superb. Age brings experience of life, and this can now be heard in the maturing playing of Simon (born in 1974). His ballad playing is a delight. He is becoming a voice in jazz to be recognised. Last week, without beard, he came along as a supporter, and sat in with the Quintet in the second half. One member of the audience had not heard him before and was astonished by the quality of his playing and said it had been a real treat to be there that night! Hedsor fans should not take that pleasure for granted so much in the future. We are very fortunate that he is a friend of Hedsor Jazz!

Next week at Hedsor, the only regular member of the Clive Burton Quintet will be Clive himself. John Rolls, veteran saxophonist who sounds uncannily like Stan Getz will be joining Clive at the front, and the rhythm section will be Mike Jeffries on drums, John Monney on bass and probably Malcolm Clift on keyboard.

On a different subject I visited Zane Cronje yesterday, now back home. He seemed brighter than I had feared, but was still very weak, and still suffering from nausea. He fully understands what the medics have told him, that the cancer "seeds" (his word) have spread to many other places but he remains positive and surprisingly cheerful. He thanks all of you who have expressed concern and sent him your good wishes, and I shared some of the emails I have received from you with him. He is very grateful for all your prayers on his behalf.

As the cartoon says, "That's it for now folks"

Geoff C

Not Good News

I have just come off the phone, having talked with Margaret and Zane, who is now at home.

The news is not good. Zane has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has already spread.

I will be seeing him tomorrow morning, but he would like all his friends to know.

He is a believer in the power of positive thought. Myself, I call it prayer.

Geoff C

Tonight is Jazz at Hedsor night.

It should be the Clive Burton Quintet without guests, but still with a dep for Zane.

I understand from Margaret that Zane my very soon be released from Wexham Park Hospital for continuing treatment at home. The thinking being that he will be more comfortable there, and may get a better nights rest.

I visited Zane last Saturday, and he was in considerable discomfort, and although the main procedure has been accomplished, the blockage between his duodenum and his pancreas has been removed, he will still need a long period of recovery. However since Saturday, he is stronger, and able to get from the bed to the chair by himself. He is very appreciative of all your support and thanks all who have sent cards and messages.

Also tonight at Hedsor we should be having the long awaited arrival of proper beer!! Mark the barman has promised us Rebellion!!

I’m a bit pushed for time right now, but I will add this message to the blog pages for all to read. If anyone has missed a nagging email recently, please get in touch, and I will reinstate you.

A couple of dates for your diary, Cookham Festival’s Jazz Night is Friday May 20th, and the band is Vasilis and the Xtet. He is also playing at The Woodley Theatre with Martin Harts Trio on May 7th, see poster attached.

Hi

Simon Spillett "hiding" Andy Cleyndert at The Marlow Jazz Festival last year.

My first nag of a new decade I think, and there are a number of things to bring to your attention.

First of all Hedsor Jazz. This week at Hedsor we have as our very special guest British Award winning saxophonist Simon Spillett. Simon will be joining our front line this week, and it gives us an opportunity of welcoming him back into the Buckinghamshire area after is recent year or so “Up North”.

Unfortunately Zane Cronje, our regular pianist, won’t be with us for this gig. As many of you are aware, Zane has been unwell for a number of weeks now, and is now in Wexham Part Hospital awaiting an operation to remove a blockage in his stomach. We all wish him a speedy return to our fray, and I’m sure we will keep Zane and Margaret in our thoughts over the next few days and weeks.

Those of you who receive my nagging emails will be aware that I have recently had cause to complain to the BBC over the constant dropping of Jazz Record requests in favour of Opera. What I wrote was:-

“During the interval at Hedsor on Thursday I had a conversation at the bar with a number of friends about the coverage of jazz on the BBC. I know I commented then about how often Jazz Record requests is truncated or cancelled in preference to opera. We also discussed how little coverage of live jazz is carried out, and mourned the loss of such great programs on TV as Jazz 625. OK, we do see from time to time some of the 12 or so B&W remains of the original programs, but no new initiative has been started like that since, when, the 1970’s?

This evening, I tuned in as I usually do to Radio 3 at 5pm to listen to Jazz Record requests.

And what did I get? OPERA!

OK, so as now Mr Angry I found the BBC Radio 3 web site complaints department. It takes a bit of finding, and it takes a lot of time for each page to load, but in the end, I did it, and if you follow the link, you can see what I said, and you could possibly do the same if you feel in anyway like I do. There should be more coverage of the mainstream of jazz on the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/process/submit?id=MMCN2SOIT7DH9R4LLOJO62F26O&uid=823976533

Spread the word!”

Unfortunately the link when looked at from outside my PC didn’t contain my actual complaint, so I emailed it out as a PDF file:-

OK, that may be a bit small!! My actual text was:-

I was heartened that a number of my nag set people also followed my plea. You might like to do the same.

A number of people have started asking if I am going to organise another Marlow Jazz Festival this year. Well, the answer is “maybe” at the moment. Although the Crowne Plaza was a wonderful building to hold the event in, the pricing structure of, and actual support from, the hotel company put off me and others from enjoying the experience as much as it could have been. The music was totally wonderful, and I would love to do it again, using some of the same musicians and some of those we had to turn down in 2010. Keep an eye on this space, and you will see something about a similar event before too long. I don’t think the words “Crowne Plaza” will be in that blog though!

I think this year will be very tough for a number of people. I am very aware that the number of playing opportunities for our jazz musicians has diminished dramatically already. So I do intend to keep encouraging all of you to turn out for live jazz as often as you can. Don’t forget that other jazz events take place, not just at Hedsor, and although we do need to build up our audience at Hedsor to keep it on a sound financial footing, other locations and events are worthy of your support.

Next Tuesday 18^th January the wonderful vibraphone player Anthony Kerr will be appearing at The Marlow Jazz Club, which is held in Marlow’s British Legion Hall, from 8.30 pm.

Saturday 22^nd January will see Cookham’s fabulous Shirtlifters appearing in Pinder Hall, contact Charles Benson (titular head of said Shirts) for details of time and tickets (01628 472163).

Again in Cookham, but later in the year, as part of the 2011 Cookham Festival, Vasilis Xenopoulos is bringing his band to Pinder Hall in May. Details will be thrown at you later.

Next time I blog, I will talk about some CD’s I have listened to recently, ‘till then, TTFN.