Life itself is a very complex discussion topic, as is music, part of life.

Part of music is JAZZ, another complex subdivision. 

Local jazz is another subset of life, and our local subset of jazz is HEDSOR JAZZ! And if you continue reading you will find some very interesting events coming up in the next few weeks at Hedsor Jazz.

First off this week, March 9^th, we have a very exciting combination. Two young men who are in part new to Hedsor and part of Hedsor Jazz’s past!

We have enjoyed recently the saxophone of Frank Walden, and he will be with us on again this Thursday. Joining him will be a guitarist who last played Hedsor in the days of jazz in the bar. James Fenn is joining Frank on Thursday.

James Fenn

 

Frank Walden

I first heard James in the days when we promoted jazz at Wooburn Green’s “Old Bell” pub, which I think was last century. I thought then that he was “very good”, so I asked him why I hadn’t heard him before, and he replied “because I am always second choice”!

 

Clearly if you come and listen on Thursday you will realise that he is nobody’s second choice. When we tried to get him to Hedsor this century, he was always too busy! An exciting evening is in prospect, and for me an evening to reminisce!

 

The following week (March 16^th) we have another young man coming to Hedsor who needs no introduction to you. Vasilis Xenopoulos will be playing alongside Stuart Henderson. Please tell your friends, and bring them too. Don’t keep such valuable secrets to yourself.

 

As a matter of interest it was James Fenn who introduced me to Vasilis, who now lives, like me, in Cookham!

Last weeks Hedsor Jazz (pictures below) was also a reflection on the past. “The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet” (with Lester Brown replacing the late Clive Burton playing alongside Mike Wills on reeds), was a reminder of the years we enjoyed Clive and his Quintet , which had both Mike and Martin within it.

On Bass Al Perrie

 

Listed below is the gig list for April. I will do a poster later for you to let others know who is coming to Hedsor, but for now, it is just my typewritten words. Transcribe them into the diary of your choice, and make sure you come to all of our tremendous value modern jazz evenings

 

 6    April       Duncan Lamont jr + GUEST VIBES PLAYER???

13                  Steve Waterman  + Frank Walden

20                  Mike Wills + Lester

27                  Ian Smith + Ollie Wilby

 

Finally a discovery from the ITV Hub. Yes catch-up TV has mined some golden nougats from the 20^th century.

In the 1980’s a TV series written by Alan Plater was broadcast on ITV under the series title “The Beiderbecke Trilogy”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beiderbecke_Trilogy

I couldn’t believe my luck when I discovered it is available at the moment on the ITV Hub. Those of you who know the name Alan Plater will appreciate the wonderful dialogue he creates, together with the slightly anarchic politics of the storylines. Add in to this mix proper jazz, with trumpeter Kenny Baker playing lead trumpet, and you will realise why I screamed with delight. No, they really don’t make programs like this anymore, go and ensure that you watch them whilst you can. https://www.itv.com/watch/the-beiderbecke-trilogy/Ya0116

BUT DONT DO THAT ON A THURSDAY!! Live Jazz needs to be kept ALIVE.

Helping NOW with this goal is The Bucks Free Press!

https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F1592453-hedsor-jazz

 

Coming to Hedsor Jazz THIS THURSDAY, March 2^nd 

are 

The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet.

 

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

Clive Burton with Ken Rankine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pictures from last week below

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

2 additional things to mention this week.

 

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

 

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

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

Try this for size:

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

Coming to Hedsor Jazz  in March:-

 

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

TTFN

Geoff

Blog day, and what a difference a week makes!

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

Geoff

A Brief Blog and a few pics from last week.

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

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

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

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

My photos are below.

 

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

 

 

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

 

TTFN

 

Geoff

January has almost gone already. How did that happen?

But from the start of the month to its end we have had some very enjoyable jazz at Hedsor.

So it’s over, January I mean, not the jazz.

February is starting off in the same manner that January left, with the prospect of wonderful music. This Thursday February 2^nd we are delighted to welcome back saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jr. together with Mike Innes on trombone. This means some super playing and some super arrangements, and some super stories about tunes and shows from the past too. 

If you don’t want to miss this great combination of talents do come and reserve your seat with your posterior before 8.30pm. You will of course need to bribe Tracy with a £10 note to be allowed in, but what the h..., you know it makes sense.

Last weeks session at Hedsor was not only great music, but great fun too. Ian Smith on trumpet and Ollie Wilby on tenor sax were a perfect foil for each other, something I think they have been many times before. Ian did his usual bit of poetry and prose about the music before most tunes, but this time we seem to have managed to persuade him to us the microphone. Witty and fun his links added to some great tunes and made it a really enjoyable evening. Picture below.

 

You may notice from the pics that we had a new bass player. Al Perrie from Oxford was our bass player last week, and I am glad to say he will be with us again this Thursday. An excellent player who makes a big bass sound.

 

Also missing from the expected lineup last week was Ken McCarthy. Sadly Ken was “sweating in bed” being down with a cold. This piece of information being imparted by Martin Hart much to the amusement of Ian Smith! So we enjoyed again Nigel Fox on keyboard for 3 out of 4 Thursdays in January! Not disrespect to Nigel, but get better soon Ken.

 

One of the tunes played last Thursday, and the subject of a later conversations, was the tune “Chelsea Bridge”, which Ollie Wilby played to perfection with his great big tenor tone.

 

The tune comes from the years when both Ben Webster and Jimmie Blanton were in the Duke Ellington Orchestra. This was only a 2 year period, before “Jimmie" Blanton tragically died of tuberculosis in 1942 at the age of 23. Musically for the Ellington Orchestra this was a brilliant period for it, and my chat with Ian was about what is known as “The Blanton Webster Years”. Jimmie Blanton set a new standard and style for bass playing which still continues to this day.

 

Later in the week I did some further listening (Ian recommended that we all listened to the 1940 original of “Chelsea Bridge”), but in so doing came across a new young saxophonist.

Have a listen to Ewan Bleach, his version of “Body and Soul”, the tune made famous by Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins, is a knockout

  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ewan-Night-Music-Bleach-Quartet/dp/B09VDRYL68

 

As well as wishing Ken McCarthy a “get well soon” message, I would also like to pass on all our good wishes to Mike Jeffries wife who last Thursday fell and broke her hip. She is currently recovering after having it all repined in Stoke Mandeville hospital.

 

Another piece of late breaking news is that Roger Munns, the original pianist with Keith Vitty’s band “Century Jazz” died this morning in France, where he has been resident these past few years with his wife Lisa. All our sympathy goes out to Lisa and to all their friends and family. Lisa is the sister our first Hedsor Jazz pianist, the late Zane Cronje. Roger (on the right) and Zane are pictured together below

 

Enough for you bloggers to read for now so ttfn 

 Thursday January 26th: Two late breaking updates.

Tonight our pianist will be Nigel Fox, as Ken McCarthy is indisposed.

Also a message received today about Alan Grahame:-

He has recently been suffering from flu and was locked down at home for a couple of weeks, but he is now in the care of The Acacia Care Home in Henley where they’re looking after him for the next week or so. DO all keep your fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for Alan.

Geoff

Tuesday, just, and a late blog to tell you what you really know already

Hedsor Jazz is Thursday night!! Every Thursday night, and we will have another super session this week, January 26^th, with Ian Smith on trumpet and verse and Ollie Wilby on tenor sax. So look forward to songs without singing, but songs with word and prose from an English Uni lecturer. BUT you will also get some super jazz. They will be propelled along by the Martin Hart trio.

The Martin Hart trio were in action on Saturday at the Woodley Theatre near Reading, where they accompanied the tenor sax of Jo Fooks. A wonderful session with some tunes played that I never expected to hear played as jazz. “Give Me Sunshine” for one. A happy evening. Their next session will be in May with saxophonist Art Themen

Last week our session was drummed by Mike Jeffries as Martin was indisposed, but it was also propelled along by Ken McCarthy on keyboard, now back from 2 weeks in Tenerife! It was a cold night and we could have done with a few more in the audience, but thank you to those who did brave the -5 C to go home with.

The front line was that of Mike Wilkins on tenor (1958 Selmer) and Terry Hutchins on guitar. My photos of the band are below.

 

Mike Jeffries in reflective mode!

 

Coming in February we have:-

 

 

Advance notice of one gig we have coming in March. On the16^th Vasilis Xenopoulos with Stuart Henderson. Make sure of your seat by coming and sitting on it at Hedsor Jazz! 

A shortform of blog today, just to bring you up to date with who is coming to Hedsor Jazz.

This week we have

But you knew that because you have already read the January gig list!!

What you don’t know is that we have two terrific gigs booked for later in the year.

On March 16^th Vasilis Xenopoulos is coming to Hedsor again, but this time without Nigel Price, because

Nigel Price will be coming on May 18^th !

Two very special evenings which you should not miss, so put them in your dairy NOW.

For many years past we have had them together, but this year I thought it would be good to hear them independently again. They have been separately before, but not as often as together. Together they have terrific rapport, but I thought to hear them each this year on their own would be a marker for future appreciation. When I first heard them many years ago they were each pretty brilliant, but I am sure they are both improving as the years go by.

Last weeks pictures are below. A very entertaining evening, with Lester blowing and singing well alongside Mark Aston.  It was good to see some new faces in our audience (including Lester’s wife), as well as a few returning ones as well (is that where the phrase “turn the other cheek” comes from?).

Mark is improving each time I hear him, and it is amazing what people can do when they finish paid employment and really start doing the things they enjoy! It was good of him to come to us as a dep for Mike Wills, who I hope is now beating this round of covid.

 

Dont forget that this Saturday at the Woodley Theatre you can see and hear saxophonist Jo Fooks, together with the Martin Hart Trio  at the Oakwood Theatre from 7.45pm. I understand they do still have a few tickets available, contact

 

 Woodley Theatre Box Office
Telephone: 07488 337838
Email: boxoffice.woodleytheatre@gmail.com
Website: www.woodleytheatre.org

 

She is a terrific and perhaps underrated player well worth your support. At one time she partnered Karen Sharp in the Humphrey Lyttleton Band, and i hope to get here to Hedsor jazz very soon.

 

Coffee time calls, so

 

TTFN

 

Geoff C 

Another brief blog (2 in a week!!) but one with news that Mike Wills is ill with covid and wont be able to be with us on Thursday. In his place he has booked Mark Aston. Mark has been to Hedsor many times before, and will fit in well as a replacement. We do of course wish Mike all the best for a good recovery. He will next be with us, all being well, on Feb 9^th.

Today has been the funeral of Roy Hole, founder of the BBO Big Band. The wake was held at The Hedsor Club, and many of his colleagues from the BBO and friends from the Remix Orchestra came. Some music was played, and reminiscences made. Peter Ripper took the lead and played “Body and Soul”. It was a warm and friendly send off for a warm and friendly man.

Roy had been awarded the British Empire Medal for his charity fundraising with the BBO. Many thousands of pounds have been raised for good causes by the band and still continue to be raised at every gig they play.

During one of the conversations I had I learnt that Alan Grahame is again not very well, so do keep him in your thoughts. He was remarkable in December when he played for our party, so we must say a big “GET WELL SOON” to him.

Below is poster art for our February gigs. If you can please print and place for others to read.