Mornings are beginning to feel Autumnish, with condensation to clear off the car, aren't they? Evenings darken up sooner than one would wish, but there is a consoling thought in all of this. Its easier to go out to the Jazz of an evening, because you cant really do the garden in the dark!!

So, for the darkness of the next few days, here are a number of alternatives to cutting the grass!

Thursday 28th September, at The Hedsor Social Club, The Clive Burton Quintet, with guest!

Saturday 30th September at The Curzon Centre, Maxwell Road, Beaconsfield, BOTH Liane Carroll and Dave Newton as part of the Wooburn Festival, from 7.30 pm, tickets I think are £20, but will include a supper, do book with the Festival Box Office.

Sunday 1st October at The Fifield, Century Jazz 8 pm start, hot food available.

October 14th Cores End Church's Third Jazz Concert, with Mike Wills, Zane Cronje, singer Alison Bentley and guitarist Kevin Armstrong who will all entertain us for a ticket price of £10, which includes interval refreshments. You can get a ticket from me, or from Crocks and Crystals in Bourne End (01628 528712). The previous two concerts have been very well received, the acoustics in the building are wonderful, and the pews are padded!

So there is a selection of the live stuff for you to go and listen too, but if you really get snowed in, what should you play on your wind up CD player?

Following on from my mention of Liane Carroll at Beaconsfield, I'm sure some of you watched the BBC4 TV broadcast (1 hour long, well done BBC) from this years Brecon Jazz Festival that was broadcast last Friday. I did, and it did more than remind me of some of the wonderful CD releases she has had over recent years. One of the songs she sings that always hits me is her own composition "Dublin Morning". This is one of the songs on her 2003 album "Billy No Mates". Its also on the "live" album recorded at Ronnie Scott's in 2001.

Another song she sang (as opener) on the TV show was "That Old Black Magic". That is available on "Standard Issue" from 2005.

Liane isn't black, but to me she is magic. so, follow the numbers:-
"Son of Dolly Bird (Live at Ronnie Scott's) Ronnie Scott's Jazz House JHCD 068 recorded 2001
"Billy No Mates" Splash Point Records SPR001CD recorded 2003
"Standard Issue" Splash Point Records SPR003CD recorded 2005

If you haven't heard her before she really is a great singer, a great personality, a very natural down to earth person and a grandmother to boot! It's not just me who thinks she's good, she did win BBC Jazz Singer of the Year this year too!!

That's it for now folks, next week I really must write about some instrumentalists!

What I haven't mentioned in the above (or in the text only email version of this blog) is that Liane is also a very accomplished piano player as well. She can sing, play, and smoke a cigarette all at the same time!!

Geoff C
Jazz from Geoff

Geoff’s Jazz Nag

So, in the guise of trying to get back to some normality, I will start this week’s jazz ramble by going ever so slightly backwards.

What a great evening Century Jazz’s 11th birthday at The Fifield was last Sunday. Mark Nightingale was the guest, and what a superb trombone player he is. I have seen him many times, but always in an ensemble of his choosing, usually with some careful head arrangements in front of them in dot form. (Swanage Jazz Festivals performance of “Bootleg Eric” for example). On Sunday he was of course just jamming with the regular band, and it was marvellous stuff. But I HAVE to say, that in no way did I feel that anyone needed to apologise for the shear quality of “Century Jazz”. They were more than able to keep pace in quality terms with the star guest. As I said when some of my American friends listened to “The Band” at Hedsor back in August, we have just got USED to such quality, so regularly given to us at such a ridiculous low cost.

Which is a good way of leading in to “nagging on” about The Hedsor Social Club and Thursday nights. As usual, The Clive Burton Quintet (AKA Century Jazz, plus and minus 1) will be playing there this Thursday, laughing with us, and flogging us raffle tickets from 8.30 pm onwards. Just because we can, don’t assume we always will be able to hear such wonderful music for so little money, so do turn out. £3 to get in, raffle ticket to get out!

So that’s just about got your Thursdays and Sundays sorted out (after all you are going to go to Fifield on Sundays aren’t you!), but don’t forget too, that on many Thursdays you can buy jazz CD’s only at Hedsor at ridiculously low prices.

On about a month and I’m pleased to be able to tell you that tickets for the next Jazz Concert at Cores End Church are now on sale at £10, which includes a glass of wine and a light nibble of cheese etc at half time. The music will be provided by Mike Wills, with Zane Cronje plus other guests which include the lovely singer Alison Bentley, and her guitar accompanist Kevin Armstrong. Other guests could possibly be included in this up market jazz night out. Those of you who have been before will testify to the great sound quality to be had from the Georgian building (1804 I think). The pews are very comfortably padded, and it has always been a well received event. Any profit made will go to charity, so do get your tickets either direct from me, or from Crocks and Crystals in The Parade at Bourne End (01628 528712).

Coming shortly after the Cores End Concert, in November we have another of Martin Harts excellent tours through the career of a notable jazz musician. On November 18th, and the Woodley Theatre you can listen to his take on the Benny Goodman Story, with Mike Wills playing Mr Goodman. With them both are Alan Grahame on Vibs, Ken McCarthy on Piano, and Ian Scott Taylor Bass.
The Woodley Theater :- The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley. Box Office: 0118 969 0827
In the odd moments that I have had time to listen this month, I have tried to hear some new releases. Two stand out, and as we have just mention a jazz concert in a church (not such a unique event these days, Pinner Church run regular jazz monthly concerts, given the right support we could possibly do the same?) I’m going to start with Ramsey Lewis and his new CD (2005) “With One Voice”. Like many jazz pianists he learnt his craft as a church organist (black African churches being a little freer in their music than my experience of church music!). In 1965 he won a Grammy Award for his small group recording “The In Crowd”, (it sold a million copies!) and in 2005 he returned to his old church in Maywood IL for a live concert with full choir and a great band of supporting singers and musicians. The resulting record is obviously very Gospel in feel, but it sounds just great. The choir alone massed 57 voices (more than most UK Church congregations!), with up to a dozen supporting musicians. The quality is superb, I really recommend that you give it a spin. Its on Narada Jazz (part of Virgin Records), and you can look on their web site http://www.nardajazz.com/ for more info on them. The CD number is a handy 009463-38471-2-5!

The other new release is a double CD/DVD of a band celebrating 25 years of fusion music. “Yellowjackets” is a 4 piece band that has seen very few personnel changes in 25 years, no mean feat. Keyboard player Russell Ferrante and bass guitarist Jimmy Haslip are original members, and currently they play with Bob Mintzer on Tenor sax and Marcus Baylor on drums. Most of the tunes they play are their own compositions, and it is an interesting and exciting rerun of some of their more famous past “hits” It’s a very good live recording from a concert performed in Paris in October 2005, the DVD is of a concert performed in Italy also in October 2005. The double album is called “YELLOWJACKETS TWENTY FIVE”, their web site is http://www.yellowjackets.com/, and the cd/dvd album number is Heads Up HUCD 3112

That’s it for now folks, keep playting the music, and of course, do ensure it can be kept live by TURNING OUT now and again!!



Geoff Cronin

http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com

Geoff's Jazz nag is again a little late, and probably less compete than I would like it to be, but a few family matters have rather taken precedence on my time at the keyboard and turntable this last few weeks.

Suffice it to say that TONIGHT (September 7th) we have the Clive Burton Quintet (complete) at The Hedsor Social Club from 8.30 pm onwards. I hope to bring along a few CD’s for sale at silly money prices. Of course the jazz will be fantastic, the measly charge for his great night out is still only £3, with of course an exit fee of a raffle ticket for your added excitement!

I will draw to you attention yet again that Century Jazz play every Sunday evening at The Fifield from 8pm onwards. Coming soon is the chance to celebrate their 11th year there, with special guest Mark Nightingale joining Clive on trombone, with of course, Mike Wills remaining as the reed section. Don’t miss this purely raffle funded event. I have attached a word document poster for you to display in an advantageous position to further spread the news.

Another event looming soon on the horizon is the Third Cores End Church Jazz Concert. Always a wonderful musical evening, watch this space for further details, but I can tell you that tickets will be on sale very soon at £10, which includes light half time refreshments (a bit better than 1/2 a lemon!!) and if we are lucky enough to make any profit, it will go to charity. The date is Saturday October 14th from 8 pm onwards.

I hope fervently to write more next week, in the meantime, help keep live jazz alive but turning up to at least one or two events a year!

Geoff Cronin

Jazz from Geoff

I thought I would bring to your attention today that we have a super guest for this weeks Hedsor Social Club Gig on Thursday.

Guitarist John Coverdale will be with the Clive Burton Quartet (Mike Wills being away this week, we did have a note from his mum). John is a tutor at Eton Collage, and played the guitar for the film "Evita".

I think the quality of our regular team is a big asset in bringing in pedigree artists from outside the local level. Hence our ability to see and hear such people as John this week, Simon Spillett and Don Wright last week. All this for your £3 entry fee, and the fun of a raffle. So, if you truly love jazz, don't miss out, it all starts at 8.30 pm. every Thursday at THE HEDSOR SOCIAL CLUB!

There may not be a film made about the venue, but shortly there may be a new CD to buy of the band!! Watch out for further announcements.

My commercial CD revues later again in the week, or early next week, but I need to get THIS message to your eyes asap!

TTFN

Geoff C

Jazz from Geoff
Helping to keep live jazz alive.

Geoff’s Jazz Nag

With the bank holiday looming, I thought “now’s the time” to give you all a short reminder of local jazz events, but starting with a brief revue of last nights Hedsor gig.

For 2 weeks running now we have been subjected to ridiculously marvellous music at The Hedsor Social Club. Last week I was not alone in thinking that Simon Spillett and Mike Wills had produced a miraculous evening of top quality live jazz. Last night was surely going to be an anticlimax wasn’t it? No two weeks could be on such a high could they? Wrong! Last night, not only Simon Spillett, this time with our regular answer to Vic Dickenson (Clive Burton), but a special surprise visit by another great tenor player, Don Wright. Don runs a 10 piece band called “The Wright Stuff”, has a great CD out with the band, and plays with a great big sound. Two tenors, a trombone, and our usual rhythm section again produced cheering crowds. So you weren’t there!! Gosh!! How sad.

Next Thursday, who knows, but we should be back to the normal line up, which is too good to miss anyway! 8.30 pm start £3 to get in, raffle to get out!

We also had with us last night a number of Cancer Research UK representatives, who came along for a photo opportunity (!!) to enable me to be photographed giving them the cheque for the May Concert proceeds, (which of course they already really had). Look out for it in a coming edition of your local paper!!

Sunday, Fifield offers similar quality music from almost the same quintet, plus a very late Sunday lunch. 8 pm start. Raffle funded by the management!!

CD’s to listen out for:-

This week I have been captivated by a totally different form of jazz music to that which I usually write about. In the very early 1940’s on America’s West coast, some of the dance band musicians were getting bored with playing the same tunes night after night, and got together to research some of the earlier jazz that had become unfashionable. Lu Watters formed his first Yerba Buena Jazz Band to play a form of what we called “traditional jazz”. WW II” came along, and put a temporary stop to their fun, but in 1945 they again reformed and started playing regularly in public. The recording to which I refer comes from a late period series of recordings (1949/50), made at a club called “Hambone Kelly’s”. An all white band playing trad on the West coast inspired many British bands in that period (including The Yorkshire Jazz Band), and that inspiration can be heard on a Jasmine CD called “Doing the Hambone at Kelly’s”. I had often wondered where the early Lyttelton Band had got “Ace in a Hole” from, now I know. There is some wonderful liquid clarinet playing from Bob Helm, some terrific piano from Wally Rose, and Clancy Hayes both sings and plays the banjo. This is not just a fun record, it’s a great jazz listen. Tunes include “Emperor Norton’s Hunch”, “Alcoholic Blues”, “Roll, Jordon Roll” and 17 other trad tunes, some of which are very rarely played today.

The other CD spun up this week is by Monty Alexander (piano), with N.H.Orsted Pedersen (bass) and Grady Tate (drums). Called “Threesome” (!) it’s a lovely light combination, with an excellent “All Blues” sung by Grady Tate. Well worth a listen.

TTFN, keep it live!

Following on from my nag/blog today, one of the fans who WAS at the Hedsor Social Club last Thursday wrote back to me with the following:-

"Hi Geoff, Thanks for the JazzNag, and what a blast Thursday night's sessionturned out to be. Magnificent, - Simon with his more dynamic attack and Mike'slyricism complement each other beautifully.Zane as usual played brilliantlyand Ken (I think) played out of his skin. I can't seem to impress on myguests (who like the jazz very much) just how fantasticly lucky we are towitness such talent in such an informal setting at such a reasonable price!"

So, if you missed it you only have yourselves to blame!!

TTFN

Geoff C

Geoff’s Jazz Nag

Just a little reminder of the guest list for the next week.

On Thursday 24th August Clive will be joined by Simon Spillett. At The Hedsor Social Club

and on Sunday 27th August at Fifield the band will have Mike Wills as reedman.

Anyone who was at Hedsor Last Thursday will be aware that we had a remarkable session with Simon and Mike fronting the rhythm section, and it was some of the best off the cuff jazz I had heard for years. It was absolutely the right night for me to invite along two visiting American friends who normally get there live music from Boston’s Symphony Hall, and they were on their feet at the end. It seems that most of the rest of the audience thought such excellence was just routine, and didn’t join in in giving the musicians a standing ovation, but they really had earned one.

For those of you who weren’t there (fortunately we did have a bigger than usual crowd), I can only feel sorrow that you missed out. And you really did.

Jazz being what it is, a live art, I can’t promise such an extreme high for next Thursday, but this doesn’t mean that it won’t happen again. So if you value your jazz health, come and see!!

Simon Spillett is becoming more and more at home and relaxed with us at Hedsor, and it shows in his playing. I said to Clive a month ago, Simon is now a member of the band, he fits in so seamlessly. He has the skill and opportunity of playing with some of the UK’s best players, and yet we have the great good fortune to see and hear him in Hedsor’s small bar room. At just £3 entry, it must be the biggest bargain in British jazz.

On the CD front, I haven’t had the opportunity of a steady listen as I have had another of those time spans when I have been dotting about the country.

But I did get the chance to listen to a CD by a lady singer I didn’t know. Nicki Leighton-Thomas has recorded an album called “Forbidden Games” (I nearly typed in “Mind Games” in error, but that’s the great new CD by Martin Hart). The lyrics are nearly all by Fran Landesman, and the music by Simon Wallace, who does the accompanying piano parts. Taking solos at various times and tunes are Dave O’Higgins, Paul Stacey, and Steve Waterman. Very good music, and very,very thought provoking lyrics as you would expect from such a poet as Landesman. This is out on Candid Records CCD 79778

Another album much enjoyed (to the chagrin of all those out there who hate singers) was from Dianne Reeves. An album that most jazz fans probably won’t find, as it’s the sound track from the film “good night, and good luck”. All of these tunes are well known from the 40’s and 50’s, and include “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, “You’re Driving Me Crazy”, “Too Close For Comfort” and a number equally well known tunes. Very well recorded, and being a film score, lots of musicians are involved, but the core muso’s are Matt Catlingub tenor and alto sax (very good), Peter Martin Piano, Jeff Hamilton Drums and Robert Hurst Bass. As usually, if you are reading the blog, the artwork for these albums is visible!! Concord Jazz 0013431230724 is the number, but God knows why!

But for now, it probably is “good night and good luck”,

See you soon,

Geoff Cronin
Jazz from Geoff

A few lines of chat, and some reminders of what's on where.

Its been hot, and in some places very wet (Ealing Jazz Festival found out about rain! One of the Marquee roofs split open under a torrent of rainwater), now we have "showers". But through thick and thin, WE HAVE JAZZ!

Tonight, Monday 31st July at The Jolly Woodman in Burnham there is Swing 42.
AND ALSO tonight Monday 31st July at The Cricketers. Horsell, near Woking from 8.30pm Century Jazz plus Simon Spillett

Tomorrow night August 1st at Bourne End Community Centre, Jazz presents Cookhams fabulous Shirtlifters. Traditional jazz at its British best, from 8.30 'till 11, £4 to get in with free raffle, AND nibbles at half time. You know it makes sense to leave the telly behind and see some very live jazz.

Wednesday 2nd August at The Farnham Maltings, The Otis B Driftwood Band extravaganza.
Thursday 3rd August at Hedsor, The Clive Burton Quintet with Mike Wills
Sunday 6th August at Fifield Century Jazz with Mike Wills

For those of you who cant get out to live jazz, and rely on the recorded variety there are a couple of excellent recent releases on offer.

First on my preference list this week is another release by the wonderful Lake Records. Titled "Al Fairweather & Sandy Brown's All Stars" it contains the last of the aboves recordings made for Denis Preston. This shows the Fairweather/Brown ensemble firmly in the mainstream mould, in the company of people such as Tony Coe (on tenor sax) and pianist Brian Lemon.
The music is superb, lightly swinging, with innovative voicings (going blindfold, you can always tell that it is Coe or Brown or Al from any other read or trumpet players by their very own sound). Quality produce from 1962. The other truly amazing thing is that the master tapes for this session, recorded in stereo, were lost, and the reissue has been made from a pristine copy of the LP, which, as sods law would have it, was only ever issued in mono!! The highlight for me of an excellent cd is "Willow Weep For Me" as a Brown solo. (LACD229)

The other easily overlooked release that caught my attention this week is by The Dutch Jazz Orchestra entitled "Rediscovered Music of Mary Lou Williams, The Lady Who Swings The Band" Catchy eh?Recorded in 2005, this is an 19 piece big band that really sound marvellous. All the material is by Mary Lou, much of it originally written in the 1930's. The arrangements were redone in the 40's, 50's and early 60's, and the net result for largely little know material and a little known continental band is magic. Its available on Challenge Records CR73251 and the record companies web site is http://www.challengerecords.com/

Whatever you do, enjoy the jazz, and don't forget to support the live stuff personally before its too late.

Geoff
Pictures from the cover art of both cd's, and from a recent concert by Alan Barnes with The Martin Hart trio are on the blog

http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com/

Music Licensing Law

Music Licensing Law

I’m adding in to my blog this message from pianist Ken McCarthy. You may recall that I for one have referred recently and in the past to the problems associated with the new licensing laws. Ken will keep me informed of news on this “war” front, and I will publish the info via this blog site.

Do agitate to get a better solution to whatever the problem is perceived to be. The current solution is killing live music and making criminals of us all for listening and playing.

Geoff Cronin
NB “Mike” refers to Mike Weinblatt

Hamisch Burchall was at the spearhead of the MU campaign, campaigning tirelessly on TV and in the press, to have the old licensing law changed. For those not in the know:-Till Nov 2005, two musicians could work free in any establishment without the need for an annual council licence, which was an arm and a leg for the landlord - who could then employ from a trio to the LSO for the same price. I recall an event with a trio of mine in South London where one member at a time sat out in the front row to conform with this!So - commonsense dictates that all this was a loss to the arts, employment, the pub industry, etc... Thru 2003 - 2005, the Musicians Union campaigned heavily to parliament for total abolition of the need for a music licence. Remember, a disco with 1000 people in the room needed nothing, yet a piano trio, with all the crowds this would draw in, could present a huge fire (more extinguishers, escapes) and damage risk to the building and neighbouring properties - hence the licence tax. This is the English madness which we've lived with as long as I can remember.Parliament promised to do something in their new licensing act of 2005 which is for all businesses - not just music. Kim Howells is the villain of the piece, being Environment Minister at the time. In spite of all the evidence and sweat by the Hamisch and the MU, Howells lobbied for the abolition of the "two in a bar" exemption so that even a cocktail piano player now needs an entertainment licence, and the new bill came into force last year. This is exactly the opposite of everything that was asked. Many small venues closed for live music overnight. There is supposedly a feedback on the effects of this lasting 12 months which will be reviewed in Nov 06 but don't hold your breath.Hamisch was so distraught he resigned from the MU and is campaigning in a private way, hoping that music audiences will be so outraged they will bombard local MPs demanding action. This could be our last way forward in my opinion.He is collecting all press fragments in order to build his case afresh and welcomes any info back to him about venues and gigs in trouble over this. and it's good to receive his update emails.You say, Mike, that there is an underground campaign to destroy live music in this country. I must say that the longer I play, the more I believe this to be happening. Look at "A Beneficial Impact" dated 25 July (a title that twists the gut!) where no live music in bars equals no trouble, no noise, no neighbour complaints - - - problem solved. Stay at home - watch TV.I will forward my emails received to date and future ones. Ken.

A List of Gigs from

A List of Gigs from Clive Burton, including future details for Fifield and Hedsor


Tomorrow   23rd July     At the Fifield with Century Jazz      Lynn Garner

Thursday July 27th With the Clive Burton Quintet at Hedsor    Simon Spillett

Sunday 30th July at Fifield, there will be a couple of surprise guests, well worth turning out for!

Monday 31st July at The Cricketers. Horsell, near Woking from 8.30pm Century Jazz plus Simon Spillett

Wednesday 2nd August at The Farnham Maltings, The Otis B Driftwood Band extravaganza.

Thursday 3rd August at Hedsor, The Clive Burton Quintet with Mike Wills

Sunday 6th August at Fifield Century Jazz with Mike Wills

Thursday 10th  August at Hedsor The Clive Burton Quintet with Simon Spillett

Sunday 13th August at Fifield Century Jazz plus Al Nichols and Harriet Coleman

On 17th, 20th and 27th  August the band will have Mike Wills as reedman.
(Sundays at Fifield, Thursdays at Hedsor).

On Sunday 24th August the guest will be Simon Spillett


Geoff Cronin
Jazz from Geoff

Oh yes, this is a blast from the past! It’s a Geoff’s Jazz nag!!

Back from Swanage (See the Festival report at http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com) and now sweltering in this summers heat (we are British, we WILL complain about the weather!), I thought it appropriate to nag a bit about events on the live jazz front.

Tomorrow night we have The Clive Burton Quintet at The Hedsor Social Club, 8.30 ‘till 11 ish. The last few weeks have seen a thin on the ground audience and with it being very hot, some discussion is taking place about continuing with this event. I will reiterate, If you don’t come out to support live jazz, it will disappear. The government has already done its best with music prohibition, so just think of yourselves as gangsters and molls and come out discreetly tomorrow night. Knock 3 times on Hedsor Clubs door and pay £3 at the red tin and you will be let in to music and cheep booze!

Sunday, well you could go sailing in the serpentine, but better still go to The Fifield for a bit of Century Jazz. 8 pm ‘till 10.30 pm. This is an event actually paid for by the landlord, who recoups some of his outlay for the price of a raffle ticket. Help to keep it alive!!

Mondays you can catch some live jazz at Burnham’s Jolly Woodman, so if your bag is more traditional, go for it!

Review of the week.

Well, as is now my norm, I will try to fit in 2.

First, a CD that was sent to me because of my recent association with the jazz programs on Cookham Summer FM (now sadly at an end, did YOU listen?).

This is by a group of lady singers called “The Puppini Sisters”, who have recreated the sound of the 1940’s war time harmony groups. Not quite jazz, but a very creditable effort, wonderfully well produced, and definitely in the fun category. They are also very pretty, and dress in period style. How do I know this from the CD? Simple, they have an excellent web site as well. Go and have a look at www.thepuppinisisters.com and you to can see and hear them. There is even a downloadable video of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” which is very pro. You can also sample a few seconds of every one of the tracks from the CD. These tracks include “Mr Sandman”, Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” “Jeepers Creepers” as well as more modern songs like Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” all performed ah la Boswell Sisters or Andrew Sisters. You will soon see where they are coming from. My only criticism is that I’m not sure you will want to listen to a whole CD of very similar materiel, but, as its free to look, do try out there web site and see if you like it.CD No. is UCJ 9857592, again written in print on the sleeve so small you will need a magnifying glass to read it!

The other CD to bring to your attention is one I picked up at Swanage (OK, I did pay for it!), by Steve Waterman called “Stablemates”. This is the music of Benny Golson and Wayne Shorter, and has a different line up for each. The Golson Sessions are by a quintet with Ben Castle tenor sax, Mark Nightingale trombone, Nick Weldon on piano, Andy Cleyndart bass and Clark Tracey drums. A super sound and somewhat reminisant of our own Clive Burton Quintet. The Wayne Shorter tracks are by a quartet with Anthiny Kerr on vibs, Mike Outram gtr, Laurence Cottle bass gtr, and Ian Thomas on drums. This group reminded me of “The Usual Suspects” who used to play for me at The Old Bell. A great CD, available on Mainstream Records as MSTCD 0035 (in print size I can read!).

That’s it for now, the text of this nag, together with cover art will be found later in the day over on my blog.

Have a nice hot day now!!

Geoff C

Alan Barnes and Tina May


Alan Barnes and Dave Newton
















Geoff’s Visit to the Swanage Jazz Festival Part 2

We have reached Sunday Morning (although I don’t think anyone played it!), another bright breezy day. First up was a duo by Dave Newton and Alan Barnes. They have dueted many times before, and although not regular associates, they still have the ability to know what the other person is going to do (They first met when both studied at Leeds). Alan was looking very tired, and was suffering from gout, but he still managed one of his better solos of the weekend during this set.

I had a good ½ hour chat with Dave before the session, whilst we both took the air on the little banjo shaped pier in the middle of the bay. We talked about the difficulties of live jazz and licences these days, and he told me a story from prohibition days told to him by Buddy Tate. When Buddy was playing in, I think Lucky Millender’s Orchestra, they had a residency in a Chicago nightclub. This was owned and frequented by Al Capone. On one occasion he went up to Lucky, asked him to play a request, stuffed a $20 note in his top pocket, and went off with his girlfriend of the time for a “dance” around the club floor. On one of his trips around, towards the end of the tune, he sidled up to Lucky and said “do you know who I am?” to which Lucky replied,
”No Sir, I’ve never seen you before”. “That’s the right answer” said Capone, and stuffed another $20 dollar bill in his top pocket! Try doing that with a local authority music licence vetter!!

After lunch I went down to The Kings Bar, an airless venue, but graced that afternoon by a solo spot from Liane Carroll. Most fans know now what a wonderful singer and piano player she is, but if you still have preconceptions about lady jazz singers, go and hear Liane to have them re-organised!! She is alternately funny, sad, and easy to take on board. A true character and her music can bring me to near tears with its majesty.

After afternoon tea, we had a set by one of my all time favourite lady Jazz Singers, Tina May. Together with Alan Barnes (yes him again), and a rhythm section that just wasn’t in line with their way of playing jazz, we had an edgy set. Still good by anyone’s standards, but it didn’t really work. Matt Skelton is without doubt an excellent drummer, but it sounded like he was backing a riveter! It was also unfortunate that the pianist Liam Noble, who had never worked with Tina before, had the piano setup so that his back was to her the whole time and he couldn’t see her “conducting”.

Finally, all those who had any stamina left went back to the Kings Bar, and saw a set by Liane Carroll and her trio. Not bad, but I thought the afternoon solo set better, and the room was now very hot.

Never mind, if Swanage runs again next year, I’ll be there, because it is the best British Jazz Festival going, and what a setting!

TTFN

Geoff

The Bootleg Eric Band of Dave Newton and Clarke Tracey

Laura Zakian

Simon Spillett

OK, so it’s been a long time since I updated the blog, but all for a very good reason.

First there was the Cookham Summer FM Radio Shows that I was involved in. All great fun. I wonder did any of you listened to ANY of them? Don’t worry if you didnt, all my efforts were recorded, and I will ensure that you will hear them somehow or other!!

The Second reason is that I have been to The Swanage Jazz Festival. And again I thought that it was a real festival of British Jazz. I will admit that this year there was SO much wonderful modern jazz to be heard that I didn’t hear ANY traditional jazz except Dave Brennan’s Marching Band, which did its usual New Orleans style street parade on Saturday Morning.

This year the choices of what to hear were very difficult to make indeed, but the Friday night set one would have thought could not have been bettered. In Marquee 2 (the first one most people came to!) had as a starter the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra, who were good in parts (mostly brass parts!), with a good young lady singer and a couple of fun young gentlemen singing together a la Frank Sinatra.

They were followed by some superb musicianship from Steve Waterman’s sextet plus Dave O’Higgins playing Benny Golsen/Wayne Shorter tunes. The interplay between the two aforementioned, plus Anthony Kerr on vibes, Mike Outram guitar, Laurence Cottle elec. bass and Ian Thomas drums was so tingling, you had to pinch yourself to prove it was live!!

Friday night it rained and blew a bit, but Saturday dawned warm and bright, and the superlative jazz carried on with the Spike Wells trio, with phenomenal young piano player Gwilym Simcock astounding everyone. They had the assistance of bass player Malcome Crease.
You may recall that Spike Wells was Tubby Hayes drummer for about 5 years, so it won’t surprise anyone to learn that Simon Spillett joined them in the second set for about an hour of assured playing. He made a real impact on an audience that hadn’t had the advantage of hearing him at The Hedsor Social Club. One of the Swanage Club Members was heard to mention his name as late as Sunday evening as being a really good listening experience!


Saturday also had a set from Laura Zakian, a young lady singer who is beginning to make a name for herself. She seemed a bit nervous, and perhaps wasn’t performing at her best. The Kings Bar (her venue) was always very hot, which didn’t help the pleasurable experience!


She did have great accompaniment with Alan Barnes, Gwilym Simcock, Andrew Cleyndert and Clark Tracey.

Without doubt though, the highlight of the day, and for me of the weekend was the Dave Newton/Clark Tracy Band performing for the first time in public the music from their CD “Bootleg Eric”. It is a real band of British Stars, 90% of whom are now younger than the average audience!! Everyone was blown away by the sheer musical ability of the band, the millisecond timing, the inventive solos and the tremendous swing developed by the rhythm section.

The line up is Guy Barker tpt, Mark Nightingale tmb, Alan Barnes reeds, Don Weller tnr, Julian Segal tnr, Dave Newton pno, Andrew Cleyndert bass and Clark Tracy drums.


That concluded Saturday (what a High to go out on). I didn’t buy the CD (they had run out).

Later in the week I will tell you about the Sunday sessions, and what is on locally in the next few days.

Sad to say Cookham Summer FM is over, thank you to all who took part.

TTFN

Geoff C

The Ellington Birthday Concerts and the Jimmy Witherspoon Album







"Good Lord, its one of those nag things again!". You are right!! They have become a bit sporadic of late, but all with good reason. I trust at least SOME of you have been listening to the 2 jazz programs on Cookham Summer FM (87.90 or via www.cookham.com) and can appreciate that talking some rubbish on a microphone does take a little preparation! Honest.

But, at least this week, you can read about the local jazz events, and not just listen to them. If you do want to listen, then Mondays at 9 pm brings you "Mama Africa" followed by "The African Influence in Jazz" taking you to 10 pm. On Fridays "Never the Same Way Once" brings you 3 hours of jazz music and comment from 8 pm 'till 11 pm.

So now about live jazz:-

On the First Tuesday of each month, in Marlow's Liston Hall you can go and see Club Django.
ALSO on the first Tuesday of every month, you can go to The Bourne End Community Centre and see Mo's selection of living musicians for around £4, but this does include nibbles at half time. Start time 8.30 pm.

Every Thursday you can catch The Clive Burton Quintet at The Hedsor Social Club, 8.30 till 11 pm £3 to get in, raffle to get out (some never make it out!!).

Sundays at lunch time you can listen to Zane Cronje on piano at The Christopher Wren in Eton, and in the evening from 8 pm you can go to The Fifield and hear Century Jazz for free, but you will get raffled to get out.

It's not so much of "what have I been listening to this week", but what have I been playing on the radio.

One cd set that I played from last Monday has been in my collection for many years.A double album of Duke Ellington recorded during his English tour over the period of his 70th birthday in 1969. Its the Ellington Orchestra at its best, well recorded before a living audience. All the top names were in the band, Hodges, Gonsalves, Carney, Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Lawrence Brown. All playing at their collective best. My copy from 1991 was on Sequel Records, part of the Castle Communications group. Numbered by them as NED CD 183.

One cd already selected for a future broadcast is Jimmy Witherspoon with Jay McShann and His Band recorded in 1957. This album has the legendary J.C.Higginbottom on trombone (He wrote "Give Me Your Telephone Number"), and on some of the tracks Emmett Berry on trumpet. You will also find Kenny Burrell on guitar. Listen out for that, because its a cracking good blues album.

BUT, I must keep digging at the CD face, or we wont get Fridays 3 hours put together. DO listen out on Friday, because I will be taking to Zane Cronje about his life in music, and he will be playing live on air. AND Simon Spillett is coming in to give a talk about the late great Tubby Hayes.

SO

TTFN

Geoff C

Perhaps why the French love the farm subsidy?!!
The Conserertoire's own "Little Band

The fabulous John Brooks Paris walkabout!!














Well, here it is again!!

Its Tuesday (not Wednesday Night In Cairo) and I'm actually starting a Nag! The last few weeks it has been sporadic, but even I take a few days off now and again!

First an advance notice. Do look at the following web link, and you will see mention of Jazz in Thame. As this is not a million miles from your area, and jazzeddie is a really nice chap, you could think of supporting his events. http://www.jazzeddie.f2s.com/

Tonight, and nearer to home, it being the first Tuesday in the month, The Bourne End Community Centre will be providing you with Harry Pitch and Jack Emblow plus friends to entertain you, 8.30pm onwards in the bar. £3 to get in and you get free interval refreshments (actually I have a vague recollection that the price is being increased by £1, but its still amazing entertainment value).

Thursday (it could be half-past two in Khartoum) The Clive Burton Quintet play the Hedsor Social Club, 8.30 till 11 pm, £3 to get in, raffle on top to get out, and wonderful music in between. Audiences have been a bit thin these last few weeks (OK I wasn't there, but I do have spies) and there is a genuine concern that we cannot continue on its present basis. It is unfair on the musicians to expect them to come and play to half a dozen people. So during the next few weeks, record the football, we wont tell you the result and you can watch it when you get home!!

Sunday, Jazz at Fifield from Century Jazz 8 pm onward, raffle funded. The Fifield will still do you a cooked evening meal, which is unusual for a pub on a Sunday. The food is excellent by the way.

Also on Sunday at Lunchtimes you can catch Zane Cronje and Lynn Garner at The Christopher Wren on Eton Bridge. So if you fancy treating yourself to good food and good music at Sunday lunchtime, do give it a try.

One last thing. Commencing on Monday 12th June Cookham Summer FM will start broadcasting 24/7 on 87.9 FM. and Jazz will feature at least twice a week. I'm doing a 1/2 hour slot on Monday evenings about the African influence in Jazz, and together with Charles Benson and Richard Kellaway we will be presenting "Never The Same Way Once" An eclectic program of jazz music and interviews from 8pm to 11pm every Friday evening. Do tune in. If you are outside the range of this local radio station, it will be available as a web cast on you computer. Just go to http://www.cookham.com/ and follow the link. Do that, and you will be able to listen to some of the recorded jazz that I have been nagging on about these last few months (and years!!).

So listen up!

See you soon at a gig near me!

Geoff C

Some of the pictures (in reduced size format) taken on Cookham's fabulous Shirtlifters triumphal tour of Paris. You will notice the enthralled audience, and the band bar pastimes, as well as the actual musicians in full flow. I would point out that ALL the photos were taken without flash, using available light only in order not to disturb either the audience or the performers.

More info on local jazz comes again next week. And a full jazz nag for all the lucky recipients

Some of the concert pictures.
















First, a big thank you, to all who supported the Concert on Friday to raise money for Cancer Research UK. As a jazz evening it was superb, and in one respect, historic! I personally predict a great future in modern jazz tenor saxophone playing for Simon Spillett, so to have the evidence on camera of him playing the clarinet, alongside 2 other clarinet players will be one of those "I was there when..." memories!!

Financially it wasn't as successful an evening as last year, but we did still manage to raise over £420 for CR UK. More photos are available, so do get in touch if you want a copy.

All in all it was a great evening, that gave The Clive Burton Quintet the respect they are due by putting them up on stage for all to see and hear.

Locally, more casually, they can be seen TONIGHT as Century Jazz (only the bass player changes) at The Fifield 8 pm till 10.30 pm. Raffle funded.

Tuesday both Scott Hamilton and Lynn Garner are at High Wycombe Town Hall as part of Wycombe Arts Festival, it starts at 8 pm, its unreserved seating (like our concert, cafe style around tables) and tickets (if still available) are priced £8. Box office number is 01494 512000

Thursday Clive Burton Quintet play Hedsor Social Club. 8.30 pm till 11 pm. Entry £3, also a raffle to help costs out, do please support this local regular live jazz event. Its not as though the music is bad!! so it isn't a hardship to listen!

Next weekend I shall be accompanying Cookham's fabulous Shirtlifters in a return to Paris. A conservatoire has asked them back to help out in there music festival. Fame Eh!

So, to enable me to get the time to put the pictures on the Blogg, I shall, for the time being, say no more! But SOON, you will be able to listen to me on the Radio!! Cookham Summer FM is back. Watch this space to get tuned in!!

Two previous Zephyr Records Brian Lemon releases, parts of which are included in the CD reviewed below.


Hi Folks,

Further on from yesterdays quick email about the Tim Saunders gig at Mo's last night, this nag will be brief, as the following wind is now in an adverse direction!!

For those who missed last night, you missed a treat. Tim's Quartet were in good form, and we had the added real pleasure of Sheila Scott as his guest vocalist. It was an evening of very pleasent and sophisticated jazz, and the audience (from comments overheard) would like some more of the same soon!!

Tomorrow night (Thursday) at The Hedsor Social Club we have the Clive Burton Quintet plus one. Watch out for a well fed Dutch trumpet player imported from France(!) for the occasion. Entry £3 plus raffle, and,yes, we do still need your money as well as your company!! (even Mo's gig will be going up by an extra £1 next month).

Sunday, Century Jazz at Fifield as usual (8pm start).

Don't forget (well, I wont let you forget, but you know what I mean) the concert for Cancer Research UK on Friday week (12th May). Don't let a happy man get very old, do come along. I know you will have a super musical experience (look at the cast!), and its in a cause we all have reason to support.

What have I been listening too?

The CD that has impressed me most this week is a compilation of music from the Zephyr label, all of which includes British pianist Brian Lemon. I've been a fan of Brian's for many years. Another fan I met at Brecon referred to him as "the thinking man's pianist", which I can heartily endorse.

The Zephyr label has been issuing various collaborations which include Brian for many years now, and they have recently produced a retrospective of his work. I have most of the albums reflected in this new issue, but believe me, I had forgotten how good our best players can be. Here we see him with the likes of Dave Cliff, Tony Coe, Alan Barnes, Ruby Braff, Scott Hamilton, Roy Williams, George Masso to name but a few. It's a well recorded as well as a well played set, and if you haven't got all of the previous Zephyr releases, its a good place to start. Zephyr Records ZECD36 "The Brian Lemon Anthology" will get you it.

That's it for now folks, as usual you will find some artwork on the blog page.

TTFN

Geoff C

http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com/

Geoff's Jazz nag, which, as you remember(!), is a constant reminder of local jazz events, and some "reviews" of CD's in my collection that you may still be able to buy (there is always EBay!).

First this week, the live stuff.

The Regular events :

Thursday, The Clive Burton Quintet at The Hedsor Social Club, 8.30 pm start, £3 to get in, but we would strongly advise that you buy some raffle tickets as well!!

Sunday The Fifield hosts Century Jazz from 8 pm. dine or just listen, but do the management a favour and buy a raffle ticket or 5.

Looking slightly further ahead Tuesday May 2nd has the Tim Saunders Quartet at The Bourne End Community Centre, admission by raffle ticket at £3. This is a real bargain gig, as you even get half time nibbles thrown in at the price. Tim is Hammersmith's answer to Pat Metheny, a wonderfully fluid guitarist, whom I'm delighted to say we've heard before!

Again in May, on Friday 12th we have the Jazz for Cancer Research Concert at The Bourne End Community Centre (Give and Take Five Again). A star studded concert with Clive Burton and his Quintet, Richard Kellaway as our guest on clarinet (to add some of those Traditional Jazz vibes), and Simon Spillet as our guest on tenor sax. I really hope that with Mike Wills present on reeds as well, we will have a super mixing of the styles in a jam during the second half. Tickets £10 each, all profits are going to Cancer Research UK, who will be there with their information stall (thank you Liz). We will in addition be running a raffle, so do turn out. Tickets are on sale now from Crocks and Crystals in The Parade, Bourne End, or from me! And you know its a worthwhile cause.

Also in May (Tuesday 16th), Scott Hamilton is appearing at the High Wycombe Town Hall, with a superb British rhythm section (John Pearce on piano, Dave Green bass, and Steve Brown on Drums). BUT in addition, that lovely lady singer of Little Jazz Bird fame, Lynn Garner will be guesting with them. Tickets are £8 from The Swan Box Office. The event will, like our concert on the 12th, be around tables, so there is no reserved seating.

BUT THERE IS MORE,

You can catch Lynn again back at The Harrow in Hughenden Valley, with Ken McCarthy on piano and Brad Lang on bass on Wednesday 24th. 8.30 pm start. These are lovely, intimate, musical evenings where you can see, hear, and talk to these fab musicians. AND ITS FREE!!

At Home this week I have listened to a couple of CDs that are very different.

First off, on Columbia Legacy was "Ambassador Satch" with Louis Armstrong and his All Stars recorded mostly during a European tour in 1955. We tend to overlook Louis these days, but I still remember going out to buy 78's of him before I could afford LP's, and the awe with which we trooped to Earls Court to "hear" him on a revolving bandstand. The Sound was dreadful, but is was him, live, in front of you!
On "Ambassador" he still had that powerful trumpet sound, wasn't doing too much singing, and was playing tunes from his New Orleans roots (Royal Garden Blues, Muskrat Ramble, West End Blues, Tin Roof Blues). There is still a lot of Louis out there to be bought, so do consider giving him a second chance!!

The other listen this week couldn't be more different. Jacques Loussier Trio playing Bach's Goldberg Variations. Super sound, recorded in 1999, with musicians on bass and drums that he considers more sympathetic to his musical aims than the original trio from the early 1960's. Its a Telarc CD, and I'm sure readily available in the shops if you can find a shop selling recorded music anywhere!!

Well, I hope I have entertained you for a few minutes, and made you feel guilty enough to turn out and support live jazz. If you don't, you will then HAVE to go searching for those few shops selling jazz CD's wont you!


TTFN

Geoff C
http://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com

My ticket for the attached event arrived this morning, and I though I would like to share with you the details of the concert. I hope to see some of you there.

Geoff C