Geoff’s Blog, with news of Hedsor Jazz

First, what a super session last Thursday was. Both Mike Wills and Lester Brown pulled out all the stops and I do believe it was the best I have ever heard them play! Two of Clive Burtons favourite tunes were played in the second set, and “Cantaloupe Island” and “Jeannine” were both played to perfection. Our new finish time of 10.30pm was also taken advantage of, as many stayed behind just to share the joy!!

Last week we also welcomed  Nigel Fox on keyboard, and he will be with us again this Thursday. Our drummer was Martin Hart and our bass player Peter Hughes.

My photos of the evening are below.

 

One thing to correct from the information given out on the evening last week is that Al Nicholls ISNT with us this coming Thursday. He is with us the Thursday after (February 29^th)!!

This week, Thursday 22^nd February, we have Frank Walden on tenor sax and Mark Ridout on guitar. A real quality pairing!! Just do a search on the search engine of your choice and you will see that Frank is a well known saxophonist, and at one time was part of Amy Whitehouse’s team. Do a search for Mark and you will see a similar story of a life as a professional musician. He was last with us in November last year alongside Frank. You really don’t want to miss this pairing twice!!

 

This picture, and the associated text, courtesy Fleet Jazz

I should mention at this point that Nigel Fox was in place of our regular pianist Ken McCarthy who is unwell and Ken has asked Nigel to be in his place for next week with Al Nicholls. So from all of the Hedsor Faithful we wish Ken a speedy recovery, and offer a BIG THANK YOU to Nigel for stepping in.

Below is our program for March

 

 

Do add into your diary one of Cookham Festivals feature evenings , Wednesday May 15th.

 

As you know, Vasilis is Hedsor Jazz’s Honorary President, so is very deserving of our support. Paul Edis is a superb pianist, and has recorded at least one CD dueting with Vasilis. 

Do check out https://www.pauledis.co.uk/store/a-narrow-escape-vasilis-xenopoulos-and-paul-edis and also try YouTube for some video of the two.

Whilst your diary is out do also reserve August 15^th as we have just booked that great British saxophonist Alan Barnes to be our feature guest that Thursday evening.

You might like to remember that Hedsor Jazz has live jazz EVERY Thursday, and we have booked and paid for the room in Hedsor Club right up until the end of 2024. So you MUST keep an eye on my blog, as we do have plans!!

That’s all for now folks, keep smiling!

This week, my blog contains something for you to mull over, as well as an indication of what you can come and see this week at Hedsor Jazz.

As you may know Hedsor Jazz is supported and organised by Jazz Angels, and Jazz Angels recently had a meeting that led to the following discussion document.

Since it was issued (29.1.24) we thought it would be a good idea to circulate it more widely to gain reaction, and to perhaps find that all important manager for the project.

So please read on.

Jazz Workshops, a discussion document

At our last Jazz Angels meeting during our discussions on sponsorship and the need to attract younger people to Hedsor Jazz the idea of Jazz Workshops was floated.

As discussed, it was suggested that during the summer months (school holiday dates, which for Bucks C C are Wednesday 24 July to Friday 30 August 2024) we ran at Hedsor some open invitation jazz workshop evenings where aspiring players could join with more experienced players and use the hour or so before our Thursday full jazz evenings to gain experience.

If/when a more well known musician was booked for the main Hedsor Jazz event that evening, then perhaps that person could run a Master Class (one grade up on a workshop!).

The more experienced musician running the Master Class would be paid an additional sum for his/her extra hour of instructional time.

These pre jazz club sessions would last for approx. 1 hour, and be *charged for, with the pupil players being able to stay on for the main session at no extra cost. 

Initially we (Hedsor Jazz/Jazz Angels) would perhaps need to provide the instruments for the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums), but we should anticipate that the workshop attendees would like to provide their own if one of these (p,b,d)!

This Hedsor Jazz Workshop will need to have a manager. *If taking an active part in the teaching on a Thursday some payment for the hour should be anticipated.

We would need to let it be known amongst local schools as well as with separate advertising that these sessions are available. It should also be stressed that they are for jazz practice and not R&R.

There is the possibility that some of the students might well sit in and play as guests for part of the main evening performance. Also eventually students could put on a full evening performance (we did use some Brunel Univ. students some year ago for an evening).

The proposition is that we build up amongst younger aspiring musicians an audience for our Hedsor Jazz sessions, as well as the workshops themselves becoming valued events that could attract sponsorship.

End of Discussion Paper.

If you would like more information about this proposal please talk to me (Geoff Cronin), Mike Jeffries, Martin Hart or when available John Dutton.

Now what is happening this Thursday (February 15^th) at Hedsor Jazz?

This week we see a return of The Clive Burton Celebration Quintet. This consist of Mike Wills on reeds, Lester Brown on trumpet, Nigel Fox on keyboard, Peter Hughes on bass and Martin Hart on drums.

 

 

The music at Hedsor Jazz was initially played by The Clive Burton Quintet, and when trombonist Clive died, the rest of the band voted to have Lester blow in his place. These days not everyone is available to gather as frequently as before, but this week it is one of those rare occasions. Do please come along and listen, perhaps to some of the tunes we used to hear.

One of the little mentioned activities at Hedsor Jazz is the opportunity to buy second hand jazz CD’s. These are available every week for the mighty sum of £1 each, and all the money raised goes to Cancer Research UK. There is always a box of over 100 jazz CD’s for you to brows through, and like LP’s and Cassettes, CD’s are beginning to find favour again. There is nothing better than actually owning the recording and the sleeve notes that go with it. 

Last week Hedsor Jazz presented a complete band, The Pirrie Pirrie Quartet, plus one (our own drummer Mike Jeffries). They consisted of Steph Pirrie on trumpet and vocals, husband Al Pirrie on bass (as he often is at Hedsor anyway), Noah Smith on tenor sax, and Martin Pickings on keyboard. An evening of interesting music and song (we don’t get “Cry Me A River” at Hedsor very often) and the variation in personnel did encourage a larger audience than was feared due to the heavy rain on the night. But it was a good audience and a fun evening. For me the find of the night was Noah Smith. Great phrasing and tone, possibly lacking in a bit of self assurance, but heck, he is the third new performer to us this year who doesn’t look old enough to be allowed a beer! Mind you I’m not sure if we should risk advertising a Noah again considering the rain we had on the night! Perhaps we could counter that by getting Steph to sing “The Sun Has Got His Hat On, and He’s Coming Out Today”! 

My pictures are below.

 

DONT FORGET that since December 2023 we have been starting our evenings at 8PM

 A Blog a Week helps you work, rest and sleep!!

Especially if it is about HEDSOR JAZZ!

 

And this week at Hedsor Jazz, we have a small change to our advertised program. We do still have Mr and Mrs Pirrie, bass and trumpet respectively, but they are bringing with them from Oxford a young saxophonist, called Noah Smith, AND , as Ken McCarthy is taking a week off (!) they are also bringing the final member of their quartet, Martin Picket on keyboard. BUT, just to make sure it IS Hedsor Jazz, our own Mike Jeffries will be with them in the percussion section of the orchestra!

As you may realise if you look at the videos on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7XD8N-bBS0&t=305s) Steph and Al have a regular quartet with these same gentlemen so it should be a very enjoyable evening. And all yours for just £10 a head. That’s this Thursday February 8^th from 8pm

Noah (left) and Steph

 

Last weeks session had “our” Lester Brown on trumpet return for his first session at Hedsor Jazz this year, and he was accompanied by a young saxophonist now living in Bourne End, Alam Nathoo. What a joy to have him with us, and within walking distance of Hedsor Jazz. He has wonderful tone and phrasing, and both were on display last Thursday.

We also had a fine selection of feature tunes last week as well, Ken McCarthy featured the Mario Lanza hit “Be My Love”, Lester blew his way through ”Yesterdays” and Alam’s feature was “I’ll Be Seeing You”. Collectively straight jazz wasn’t forgotten either, starting with “Four” and nearly ending with “Seven Steps to Heaven”.

My pics (only a few last week, as I was seemingly having a technical problem day) are below:-

 

Sadly last week also saw the funeral of Gill Jones, one of our long standing Jazz Angels. A regular member of our audience for many years, his funeral was only indicated to me too late for me to attend or to let anyone know. Tina May once said to me that we are all one big jazz family, and I for one am sad that I couldn’t be there for his cremation.  In April we will be holding a special evening to remember some of the jazz friends who are no longer with us and this will be led by Vasilis Xenopoulos. That will be on April 25^th under the heading of “Absent Angels”.

There is nothing particularly angelic about Jazz Angels, but the title came about through our first sponsor Ernie Evans. Ernie was a great jazz fan, and a millionaire, and he sponsored local jazz using an account called “Jazz Heaven”. When Ernie passed away we had to self finance, and so we set up the “Jazz Angels” account in his memory. People who voluntarily contribute to this fund are called “Jazz Angels”! If YOU would like to help support live jazz locally, please talk with Jazz Angels treasurer John Dutton.

We do have a program set for March, and below is artwork for a poster for that program.

 

TTFN   (OK too young? Look up ITMA)

 

see you soon.

 

Geoff C

 

PS when you have found what the initials mean, you may be led to a jazz tune called “Mop Mop”. Do then tell to me your findings!

 A respite from the cold, a respite from the rain, 

but NO RESPITE FROM MY BLOG!!

Because Hedsor Jazz is every week, come rain or shine.

 

Yes, the weather, and road closures, and potholes in those roads that are open, have rather deterred some of you from coming out to listen. But those of you who have come to us so far this year have had some super sounds to listen to.

Last week, we may have missed Alan Graham, now advised by his doctor not to to come out to play, but his sub, guitarist Jezz Cook, had got together with Oxford colleague reed man Mike Wills and arranged a super set of tunes to play for us. One or two had very appropriate titles too. “You Forgot to Remember” for one, and for my family, who had returned last week from exactly this, “Skating in Central Park” was another. My pics are below.

 

 

Coming to us this Thursday (February 1^st, (!! Yes really!), is a trumpet regular at Hedsor Jazz, Lester Brown. He will be backed by Oxford based player, Al Pirrie . They will both be joined by the musician who must now live nearest of all who come to play at Hedsor Jazz, saxophonist Alum Nathoo. He has recently moved to Bourne End and he could probably walk to Hedsor Jazz now! The next closest would be drummer Mike Jeffries, followed by our Hon. Pres Vasilis Xenopoulos, now resident in Cookham!

Last time Lester and Alam played together at Hedsor it was the first time they had met. That was a great session and this time it should be a really exciting reunion. Our new start time of 8pm applies.

We at Hedsor Jazz have enjoyed jazz every Thursday, Marlow Jazz didn’t like to risk running in the cold and wind of January, but now February has come, they have a Tuesday gig for you to enjoy:-

 

 

Culled from there web page. https://www.marlowjazz.co.uk/

If you can, do support live jazz wherever it may be.

A few of us from Hedsor did go last Friday to Norden Farm to listen to saxophonist Karen Sharp.

I know I’m biased, but I think Hedsor Jazz puts on a more enjoyable evening. Karen was great, and the rhythm section backing her were 3 excellent individuals. BUT in my view they did not make up a great team.  Towards the end of the evening they had fortunately jelled a bit more, but you really cannot score rapport.

Some familiar faces were in the audience, I wonder where they go for their regular jazz fix?

More news and photos next week.

A slightly delayed blog issue this week about HEDSOR JAZZ

A number of time consuming delays including a credit card that needs to be un-jammed, and it seems that even a Nationwide branch cant do it!! And this morning lots of response by phone and email to a fake email that didn’t come from me!!

It is a real shame that the great idea for communication by computer has been made so much more difficult to use because of scammers. I have been using computers and the internet since the tail end of the last century, and the wonder and joy of it has now been almost totally replaced by the constant need to safeguard ones identity and the documentation you are sharing from the ever growing skill of the scammers. A jpeg of the fake blog you may have thought came from me is below.

 

But that isn’t what the blog is supposed to be about! What we are about is Spreading Joy (isn’t that a Sidney  Bechet tune?). Joy in listening to and sharing in live jazz music. Hedsor Jazz is having some great sessions and this year could be a vintage year. For 2 weeks running we have had trumpet players who are new to us and  who are REALLY good.  Last week, with Duncan Lamont Jr, we had one who is also really young!! Mathew Hill is old enough to drink beer, but only just, and what a super player he is. It was a lovely session and thank you to all our audience who turned out in some really inclement weather to listen to him.

My pictures are below.

 

Coming to us this week (Thursday January 25^th ) we have a change to our program. Alan Graham is at the other end of the age range to Mathew, and sadly is no longer well enough to come and play for us. He would love to, but his Medical advisor has advised him not to do so. Get well soon Alan.

As a replacement and to keep saxophonist Mike Wills company is guitarist Jezz Cook. Jezz is a great player, often involved in the Gypsy Jazz music style, but he has also been known to play some Benny Goodman style jazz with Mike on Clarinet. This Thursday we may get both plus, you will have to come to find out.

Mike Wills

Jezz Cook

 

The Jazz Angels team have had a planning meeting this week, and we have lots of things in the pipeline planed for Hedsor Jazz. Some need a bit of polish before we can let you know what they are, but one I can mention now so that you can put it in your dairy. Please don’t miss this one, because on April 25^th we are going to celebrate “Absent Angels”, where we will celebrate some who are no longer with us, and the celebrations will be led by Vasilis Xenopoulos.

Anyway, more news later, and it is all exciting, but as yet we can only keep you in suspense!

PS, if you want to know more about who and what “Jazz Angels” are, have a chat with John Dutton, he would love to tell you!

PPS Recent gales have brought down a tree in Westwood Green. You might like to view its final demise!

https://youtu.be/4R1JTc3MN4I?si=PS_xEOSlq4NPtqhP

Geoff C 

So, what does Hedsor Jazz have for us THIS THURSDAY?

We have already reached January 18^th. All the mince pies and all the chocolates have been eaten, and the reality of WINTER is now around us. But we do have something to raise our happiness levels. Hedsor Jazz has that very melodic and informative saxophonist coming to us this Thursday in the shape and sound of Duncan Lamont Jr. He will be on saxophone and possibly flute and he will be accompanied by a trumpet player of his choice, Mathew Hill. Mathew is unknown to us, so it will be fun to get to know him.

 

Joining them on bass is a player who hasn’t been to us for some years, Stuart Barker. I last saw Stuart at Marlow Jazz Club in the Autumn and re-established contact with him. Our back row will be completed by our regular keyboard player Ken McCarthy, (who is always a delight to listen to every week), and on drums by Martin Hart. Martin has been leading jazz events both here at Hedsor and elsewhere for over 30 years, and one of his long standing bookings is sadly coming to an end this Saturday. 

Jazz at The Oakwood Theatre in Woodley has been running almost every quarter for over 20 years, but this Saturday will be the last. With Martin will be that lovely lady saxophonist Sue Greenway. Some tickets are still available if you contact their box office.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/woodleytheatre/jazz-concert-martin-hart-trio-featuring-sue-greenway/e-dqkvqx

Last weeks Jazz at Hedsor was one of the most exciting we have had in recently, with trumpeter Ben Cummings providing, not only cutting edge trumpet, but very good singing as well. So good in fact that towards the end of the evening in performing Clark Terry’s “My Gal” everyone was clapping along with him in true blues club style!  

It was a gig that I had looked forward to, as we have become to appreciate the ability of saxophonist Frank Walden from his past visits to Hedsor. Ben had been recommended to us by our Hon. Press. Vasilis Xenopoulos, and it should have had a bigger audience, and here’s the rub. Not everyone who likes modern jazz knows the names of the current exponents of the art. And although we are doing more advertising than ever, our audience isn’t growing. We really need some new blood in our regular audience (not by transfusion, even though 20 years ago I did have 8 pints of someone else’s!)  but for some more folk to come regularly.

No we are not insolvent, and we do plan to keep going every week in 2024, but it is only fair to the musicians that they see more people in the audience in front of them. The players often travel many miles to play for us. Last week 2 of the band came from Oxford and beyond. So please do encourage others to at least give modern jazz a try. We are a friendly audience, and would be happy to welcome anyone who would like to experience live jazz in the flesh (and blood!).

My pictures of last week are below. 

Lastly, our program for February is below. Please copy and let others know.

 

Hedsor Jazz

 This week Jan 11^th Hedsor Jazz has Frank Walden reeds with Ben Cummings tpt and Al Pirrie bass together with Ken McCarthy keyboard and Martin Hart drums.

Ben has not played with us at Hedsor before, but Frank has, so we know the quality!! Why not make it your New Year resolution to come to Hedsor Jazz EVERY Thursday?

Frank Walden with us in 2023

Last week, wind and rain not deterring, we had an excellent start to Hedsor Jazz 2024 with a pretty good attendance coming out to listen to Mark Aston and Nick Mills, who played some great jazz for us. Pictures below.

Sadly upon our return to Hedsor Jazz we learnt of the death of one of our long term audience stalwarts, Gill Jones, who passed away on December 24^th. Gill was a great fan, and had come to Hedsor Jazz over many years and throughout the many changes he sustained in his long life. Sponsoring, videoing, and sometimes bringing in friends old and new. He had in recent years occasionally gone out of his way to go from Taplow to Reading to pick up Jan Burton to bring her to Hedsor, and to take her home again after our jazz evening because she was no longer able to get to Hedsor by herself. That’s about 100 miles before he could get himself home! Gill will be sadly missed.

Hedsor Jazz has now booked and paid for the room at The Hedsor Bar for all of the Thursday evenings of 2024, and we are working on the program for each of those nights. We aim to keep our entry fee at just £10 per session per person. We are open to offers of further financial donation and sponsorship; please see our treasurer (John Dutton) for more information on your options for this.

Don’t forget that you can also become a member of Hedsor Bar itself if you are not already. If you are over a certain age, a years membership is just £10, and membership will give you a discount on some of your bar costs!

Over recent months I have been cursing the fact that Cookham Bridge has been closed, turning my easy 10 minute ride to Hedsor Jazz into something like a wet and wandering half hour journey. NOW I am considering that to have been the easy option. As I write this, Cookham is now cut off by flood water, and yesterday Cookham Moor looked like one big lake, with one adventurer water boarding around on it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHN5DepNSF8

My pictures taken yesterday are below:-

Rumour has it that it was a BMW!

No, not Cookham Bridge but the bridge over Widbrook!

The causeway footpath looking towards Cookham Village

 

BUT I hope to see you there on Thursday!! Canoe anyone?

 

A WHOLE NEW YEAR FOR HEDSOR JAZZ

 

Starting THIS YEAR each Thursday from 8pm. 

We commence on JANUARY 4^th 2024

 The program for the month is below.

 

 

More blog writing next week, but in the meantime make sure your friends hear about HEDSOR JAZZ