Jazz from Geoff

2012-01-27T02:44:00.000-08:00

This weeks blog is a little on the late side. BUT it doesneed to be written today!

Yesterday I was very disappointed in my effort to plan a dayof Jazz at Hedsor Social Club. Despite agreeing on a date in May (12^th)and a cost for the hire of the club for the afternoon and evening and havingconfirmed bookings for Vasilis Xenopoulos plus for Stuart Henderson’s Big Band,plus many other famous names, I was told by phone last night that the clubwould now not be available to us. A booking (albeit, seemingly done withoutreference to a book!) for the day had been made for over 2 years before and wasan immovable event! Some of you I know knew about our plans, and thisunexpected outcome for them is very disappointing. I will keep you informed ofany outcome and possible future dates for later in the year.

We can take heart however from last nights wonderful turnoutfor our regular quintet. It was great to see so many there, new faces as well.With a complete alternative rhythm section at the bar that only came to listen,it is a tribute to our regular guys and their musical standing.

As a matter of historic interest I discovered in mydocumentation the original poster for the first gig by The Clive BurtonQuintet, and it was on Thursday 27^th January 2001.

We do have things to look forward to.

Coming up in February we will have Stuart Henderson andTolly, Simon Spillett, and Tracey Mendham (she is with us on Feb 16^th).You will be pleased to hear that they are not all on the same night, butstretched across February. A diet of top notch jazz for your Thursday nights.

I’ll write a bit more next week, but I have one final pieceof sad news to write today.

Guitarist Brian Wilson passed away on Monday night.He had become increasingly frail and confused in recent months, but had enjoyedChristmas with members of his family. He had played regularly in the Londonarea for many many years, and only stopped within the last 3 or 4. He used tobe the interval act for the outdoor Cookham Jazz Festivals organised by CharlesBenson and the Shirtlifters, so many of you will have been aware of histalents. He will be sadly missed.

TTFN

Geoff

2012-01-19T03:31:00.000-08:00

A few brief word about today's jazz .

Tonight, January 19th, we have an almostcomplete Clive Burton Quintet, as Mike Wills is back with us this week as ourcomplete reed section. The only non standard item (well almost, he is seenpretty regularly) is drummer Mike Jeffries at the back in place of MartinHart. Martin is having another little break in New York. My wife asked me if hewas playing there!! He may be, but I rather feel that New York has some rathergood drummers of their own!!

A CD Listened to this week

Was rather a pleasantsurprise. A band that I didn’t know on a CD that hadn’t been disposed ofthrough the second hand sales was kicking about my workshop, so whilst mendinga broken computer, I stuck it on. It didn’t have any sleave notes, so initiallyI didn’t even know from whence they came. Since then I have established them asAmerican. The band are called “One For All", and the album is called“Incorrigible”

It’s superb 1950’s sort ofJazz Messengers bop sound, superbly recorded, with tunes that draw you in, and swing.Interesting rhythms on some tracks as well. They are really very good, and havebeen together, so the Internet tells me, for 13 years. The album was releasedin 2010 on the JLP label, which I mistook initially looking at the CD as beingThe cigarette manufacturer John Player. No, it stands for Jazz LegacyProductions, and they have some really good stuff in their catalogue as seen on their web site. All JLP CD's seem tosell in the States for $10 each too.

The "One For All" line up is Jim Rotonditrumpet, Eric Alexander tenor sax, Steve Davis trombone, David Hazeltine piano,John Webber bass and Joe Farnsworth drums.

I really thought they wereall very good players, and well worth looking out for in the future. The closeunderstanding of the members of the band with each other is obvious from themusic they play, and was a treat to hear. The band’s name really sums up theirattitude “One For All”. The number of this release is JLP 1001005

A final thing to put in your diary in pencil is May 12th. Why? A very special day of jazz may be taking place at Hedsor. The "May" isnt a pun, it is still being looked into, but almost certainly the afternoon and evening of that day will be full of Hedsor Jazz!!

This Weeks Guest: Peter Cook

2012-01-11T04:23:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Jazz Lovers.

This week we have as our guest at Hedsor saxophonist andbandleader Peter Cook.

It’s been a while since he was last with us, and it willbe great to have him combine his talents again with our illustrious CliveBurton and his quintet.

We start at 8.30 pm. Admittance is still £5, and hasbeen now for the last 3 years. We hope, with your support, that this will stillbe sufficient this year to enable us to keep bringing you the best in jazzlocally, which is not the same as the best in local jazz!!

Our typical guestlist contains world-renowned musicians, and we hope that in 2012 we will beable to continue bringing you this quality of performer. You don’t even have topay for parking!!

We do need an audience, and so do the other gigs and venuesaround, so if you are a jazz lover, keep coming out at least now and againduring the year and do your bit to keep live jazz alive.

CD Listened to.

I mentioned last week the new album by young South Londontrumpeter Paul Jordanous. The artwork on this his first album under his ownname as bandleader has refreshingly clean artwork. I have now had a chance to actually listen to it!

It is a very clean and crisply recorded album of 8 Tracks,all composed by Paul, and played by some of this countries young and up andcoming. Certainly Kit Downes on keyboard must be included in that description.He is after all a Mercury prize nominee!

The tracks vary in the number of players, giving slightly differentaspects to the sound. It is nice to hear the vibes of Lewis Write featured on 4tracks. It’s also nice to hear 2 musicians familiar from the Vasilis Xtet tooin the shape (OK, it’s a CD, so that really should be “sound” of) ChrisNickolls on drums and Mark Rose on bass.

Added to this rhythm section are Piers Green on alto sax,Paul Booth on tenor sax, Tom White on trombone and Bill Mudge on keyboardwhenever Kit Downes isn’t!

I first heard Paul a number of years ago at Swanage, and hehas a rich tone and a great technique. Overall, I would place the bands soundas cool modern bop. They all seem to be college trained musicians, and perhapsthe album does sound a bit like that, a bit too serious sometimes and just abit like its all an exercise. I know I’ve written recently about the jamsessions of the late 40’s and how they swung, how they generated excitementsometimes by the use of space. They also often used popular tunes to start from(even if they did rename them). I noticed on Paul’s own Facebook page that hislikes don’t include any musicians from the late 40’s or early 50’s. I hope hedoes at least have a listen to some of these, often self-taught, guys from thepast. They didn’t all have the technique these young players have, but they gaveof their own identity.

This is a good album of 21^st century jazz.Perhaps sometimes it is just a bit too cold. Sample it and see what you think.A video link can be had at http://pauljordanous.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/14656450-paul-jordanous-ensemble

I think Paul, and the rest of the ensemble, are to becommended for following the star of jazz. It is still on the horizon to befollowed! They have a lot of skill, and have obviously given a lot of theirtime already to the journey. They are not inexperienced, and it may well bethat age will add the individual identity of sound that I feel is sometimeslacking in this first album.

TTFN

Geoff C

2012-01-05T01:48:00.000-08:00

A Happy New Year to all our readers!!

I know that ever since December 22nd you have all been looking forward to our next session of Hedsor Jazz, and it’s TONIGHT!

It will be almost the regular Clive Burton Quintet, the only exception is that Steve Riddell will be on bass in place of Ken Rankine.

The usual start time of 8.30 pm and admission cost of £5 still apply in 2012.

Don't forget that tonight's absentee (Ken Rankine) will be leading a band of his choice at The Bourne End Community Centre on Tuesday 10th January from 8 pm.

Our guest next Thursday at Hedsor will be saxophonist Peter Cook.

Tell your friends about Jazz at Hedsor, especially those who came on December 22nd and enjoyed the super quality of our music. We have some great ideas for 2012, but we need an audience to make them happen!!

Recorded Music

I have yet to really listen to any new jazz CD's over Christmas, I was too busy listening again to our December Jazz Party, recorded via my trusted mini disk recorder. But I have been sent a new recording by trumpeter Paul Jordanous. Not yet listened to, but it is already comment-able. The CD artwork is refreshingly different. No photos, no black on mauve print, but lovely pastel shaded sketches of the band! The outer (card) cover is show to wet all our appetites. More after my listen!

TTFN

Geoff

2011-12-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas is nearly upon us, but I wanted to thank all ofyou who made last nights Hedsor Jazz Christmas Concert such a success.

First, ALL of the musicians. What a wonderful array of firstclass talent, from our own regular rhythm section, through each of our specialguests. And wasn’t it nice to have Clive back with us again. His organisationof the guest musicians was very tasteful, and gave everyone a good opportunityto deliver of their best, which they all dully did. So just a reminder of whothey all were:

On the stage, Mike Jeffries Latin percussion, Martin Hartdrums, Ken Rankine bass, Nigel Fox keyboard.

Next row:

Nigel Price on guitar, Alan Graham on vibraphone.

And on the front row, sometimes all at the same time:

Clive Burton trombone, Stuart Henderson trumpet, “Tolly”tenor sax, Willie Garnet tenor sax.

And not forgetting the interval pianist, John Slater, or that lovely singing from Ingrid.

Then we must thank all who provided that wonderful buffet.

And thank you too to all who donated raffle prizes for thetraditional Hedsor Jazz Raffle!

And finally a thank you to all of you who were in theaudience. I hope you enjoyed it every bit as much as I did.

Thank you all for making the evening such a special one.

Alan Graham on vibes and Nigel Fox on keyboard

Clive Burton duetting with John Slater

A wistful (and blurred) John Slater

Nigel Price

Almost the entire ensemble,

Clive's trombone, Stuart Henderson, "Tolly", Willie Garnet and Alan Graham,

with Ken Rankine and a partly visible Martin Hart

To all of you, Happy Christmas, and we will look forward toseeing you in the New Year in the bar at The Hedsor Social Club. Don’t forget we meet everyThursday from January 5^th onwards. We will try to keep 2012Thursdays as a haven for all jazz lovers.

Geoff C

2011-12-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

A BLOG FOR CHRISTMAS

Just so that I have time towrap my Christmas gifts, I thought I would write up my Christmas Blog today,Monday!!

It is composed in 3 parts!

First. To all of you whoread this, and have yet to receive a Seasonal Card from me, I would like totake this opportunity of wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas. I also hopethat we can all have a successful New Year too. Perhaps the EURO countries willgain sanity, and not lead the world into trauma in 2012. We can but hope.

Second. Our Party Plans forDecember 22^nd are complete. We have some superb guests coming. Idare not mention too many names, but Stuart Henderson and “Tolly” are coming.We also have Alan Graham on vibes and Willy Garnet on tenor sax. Clive has alsopromised to be with us. Michael Weinblatt will be running the RAFFLE, and inthe second half of the evening we have every expectation of guitarist NigelPrice joining us after a strenuous day in the recording studio. We start at 8pm don’t forget, and there are no seat reservations!! We are going to run theraffle early in order to have at least a full hour of Jazz after our buffetsupper, so don’t leave it too late before coming!

Third. I did promise to atleast mention a couple of CD’s you might like for Christmas.

One you may well be able tobuy on the night and comes from Nigel Price. His Organ Trio Live!

In 2009 at Cookham we heardNigel with a Hammond Organ player in The Vasilis Xtet. A memorable night. Theadvantage of a Hammond Organ is that it can fulfil the needs of a bass playeras well as a keyboard player. And the sound can also have an amazing “swell” toit. Well, Nigel’s trio doesn’t have the same player, this time it has PeteWhittaker, but he does have another player with him who graced this yearsCookham Festival stage in the shape of drummer, Matt Home. The CD has beenrecorded, as the cover tells you, “Live” ( I know actors can corpse, but Idon’t know how you can record dead musicians!), in three different locations.The sound quality is excellent, and the playing throughout superb. Threemusicians, but a very full sound. Matt on drums pushes all along with thateffortlessness that means he has made many efforts before, it all swingswonderfully well. Nigel is a great Wes Montgomery style player, and can alsodrive all along with him. Pete makes the sound of the three totally homogenous,blending, standing to one side, commenting, also soloing when the need arisesas can the other two. Its well worth considering for self imposed spending andis out on the JAZZIZITRECORDS label JITCD0953 AND is available via Amazon!

The other CD is by someoneI have never heard “live” at all, only on CD. But for Christmas I thought itvery appropriate. After all, Christmas is for the (small) child in all of us.

The Dominic Alldis Trio areDominic on piano, Stephen Keogh drums and Mark Hodgson drums. Dominic has beenrecorded as a self accompanying singer before now, but on this album he justplays a Steinway Concert Grand piano, (and it sounds superb too). He is playinga range of tunes that we all must have heard as children. Tunes like “Rock aBye Baby”, “Three Blind Mice”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and 7 others. Hemakes them live again as real tunes, improvising, enhancing and perhapsilluminating for us these well know titles. “Songs We Heard” is available onCanzona Music CANZ CD6

Well, that’s it for now, dohave a very merry Christmas.

Geoff C

2011-12-14T06:53:00.000-08:00

Max Brittain

This Week

Just to let you know that This Thursday, December 15th and the last one before our Big Room Party, we have guitarist Max Brittain as our special guest. Clive Burton is still unable to play due to his broken collarbone, and Mike Wills is house moving, so it could be that we have a very guitar led session this Thursday. As Max is one of the most experienced guitar players in the country, I’m certain that this will be no hardship at all! If you are in any doubt about that, check out his web site at http://www.maxbrittain.com/

Stuart Henderson and "Tolly"

Our Party Plans for the 22nd are well under way. We have “definites” in trumpeter Stuart Henderson and his Ukrainian tenor sax-playing colleague “Tolly”. We have a strong “maybe” from guitarist Nigel Price, and we still have a few other musicians up our sleeves. With a light buffet on offer, the £10 ticket price is a steal. The evening kicks off at 8 pm, as all our “big room” events do, so come out, brave the weather, and enjoy some of the best live jazz around.

I will try very hard to let you have a review or two of CD's listened to recently later in the week, but in the meantime do your best to help keep live jazz alive!

2011-12-07T03:37:00.000-08:00

John Coverdale at Hedsor in 2009

Thursdays Guest

A VERY sad Clive has just rung to say that our guest tomorrow is that wonderful guitarist John Coverdale.

John has been to Hedsor many times before, and it will be a great pleasure to have him back with us again.

Clive has been told to keep his arm in a sling, and to "persevere" with it, even though it hurts more in the sling than out of it!! Such is life!!

Geoff

2011-12-07T01:48:00.000-08:00

Clive Burton at Last Years Christmas Party,

with saxophonist Tracey Mendham

Good Morning Jazz Lovers

News of Clive Burton

As we all know, Clive managed to fall down the stairs 10 days ago, and he hurt himself quite badly. He was told that it was “just” bad bruising. However yesterday he went to Hospital again for a further check, and after a series of X-rays that told him he had broken his collarbone. He is due back to hospital today to visit the fractures clinic for more information about this.

The break means that he cannot drive, or play his trombone, for some time, to enable his collarbone to mend. Currently, his arm is in a sling and he is very disappointed at this prospect.

As of the moment (i.e right now!) we don’t know who will be with Mike Wills at Hedsor this Thursday, but as soon as another guest is announced, I will let you all know.

Hedsor Jazz Christmas Party

Looking to the future, some good news. Our Christmas Party on December 22^nd will now have at least 2, possibly 3 guests. Those of you who were at last weeks tremendous Hedsor Session will value a reappearance of Stuart Henderson on trumpet, and “Tolly” on tenor sax. We may also have with us for some of the evening that wonderful guitarist Nigel Price. He has expressed interest and has at least asked for directions on how to get to The Hedsor Social Club! He is on day 2 of a recording session in West London, and if he can make the evening, he will. For those of you regular readers who have NEVER BEEN to Hedsor Social Club, it’s post code is SL8 5ES

Recording For Sale

For those of you who were at last week’s session of “The Hedsor Pick Up Band” I have got it on CD now. If you could express your interest in a copy (a double album in a card sleeve) let me know. I will make a £5 charge, but any money will be donated to Cancer Research UK. I have 3 available at the moment, but will produce more to order.

Geoff C

2011-12-02T02:13:00.000-08:00

The Hedsor Jazz Pickup Band

"Tolly"

Stuart Henderson

The Pickup Band

WOW.

I’m just glad I had my old mini disk recorder with me last night, because the magic that is JAZZ, just happened last night.

Sometimes the sum of the parts is greater than the individual components, and last night it was about double.

Congratulations are due to the band members. They all reached beyond themselves to play to a pretty full Hedsor Bar, and were rewarded at the end of the evening with a standing ovation. One of our frequent visitors said to me excitedly as he left, “I have been coming many years, but that was the best jazz I have ever heard. I’m not kidding, I mean it”.

No more for me to add at this point. Those who visited Hedsor last night all knew it was something very special. Jazz synergy.

Just to repeat, the individual parts were, Stuart Henderson trumpet, “Tolly” tenor sax, Nigel Fox keyboard, Steve Picking bass, Mike Jeffries drums. The synergy was HEDSOR JAZZ.

Some of them are coming to our Christmas Party on December 22^nd. Will you be there?

Geoff

2011-12-01T02:13:00.000-08:00

Stuart Henderson

The Hedsor Pick Up Band

Just to confirm that tonight at Hedsor Jazz we have the following lineup:-

Stuart Henderson trumpet and flugle horn, “Tolly” tenor saxophone, Nigel Fox keyboard, Steve Pickins bass and Mike Jeffries drums!

“Tolly is of Eastern European origins, and I wouldn't be able to spell his name even if I knew what it was. But he has been to Hedsor before, and he is a super player, so tonight should be well worth turning out for.

I have spoken with Clive, and he recons to have recovered from his fall by about 5%. I think that means he is still very uncomfortable. To all who asked about the damage to the wall at the bottom of the stairs, he has said that when he is better, he will get his own back!! I think he meant on you, not the wall.

Usual start time of 8.30pm, usual entry charge £5, usual exit charges apply!

Geoff

2011-11-29T00:59:00.000-08:00

Hedsor Jazz

First, news of Clive. Those who were at Hedsor last week will have heard that he had had a fall. I spoke with him on the phone yesterday, and he has actually fallen down stairs, hitting the wall at the bottom, and he is very uncomfortable in a lot of very bruised places including bed! I’m sure everyone wishes him a very speedy recovery.

In the meantime, this Thursday we have a definite from Stuart Henderson on trumpet and flugel horn, and we are hoping to get his saxophonist companion “Tolly” to come and keep him company. Mike Wills is moving house! The rhythm section is slightly modified as well, Steve pickings will be on bass and Mike Jeffreys on drums. Nigel Fox is on keyboard I think!

Looking back on last Thursdays modified band, I thought it all worked out rather well. With Simon Spillett leading from the front on tenor sax it was always going to be good. Our regular saxophonist Mike Wills and our regular keyboard man Nigel Fox played as well as ever. Peter Hughes on bass in place of Ken Rankine meant that the bass section was still top rate, but our advertised drummer who was depping for Martin Hart (on holiday), was replaced by another dep. All the way from Fleet in Hampshire we had a first visit from John Nettle who did a very fine job and still made the 30 mile drive home! Well done everyone.

Hedsor Jazz Christmas Party

We are now in a position to sell you tickets for our Christmas Party, in the big room at Hedsor. These will cost you £10 a head, and we are hoping to gather a stellar cast to perform for you. Without doubt, with a buffet included, it will be a great night of preparation (if you need any) for the Christmas festivities. Tickets from Hedsor on Thursdays, or from Cookham's Stationery Depot tel: 01628 531178

Listened to This Week

Mention of Christmas brings me to one of the CD’s I’ve listened to this week. I have always enjoyed Stan Tracey’s music for “Under Milk Wood” that he recorded in the late 1960’s, and it became even more enjoyable when he started performing it live with the Dylan Thomas words added in by an actor. Now he has just released another Dylan Thomas inspired work, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”. It is completely magical, and blew me away. With Stan on piano, he has Simon Allen (who came up through The Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, now known as Pendulum) on tenor sax, Andy Cleyndert on bass, Clark Tracey on drums, and the poem is narrated by Stan’s grandson Ben Tracey. It is wonderful and magical and another masterpiece for sure. It can be obtained from Resteamed Records RSJ 111 www.reSteamed.com

I have had great fun recently resurrecting some of my old LP’s. Having digitised the “Just Jazz” concert from 1947, commenting on the way about how well they could all swing, even at very slow tempo’s, I turned my attention to an LP of the First Esquire Concert, performed in New York’s Metropolitan Opera House in January 1944. It’s a very scruffy recording, but with a couple of real high spots.

We have on two tracks, Billy Holiday. On both Ellington’s “Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me” and on her own “Billie’s Blues” I was again captivated by her. A legend, yes. We all know how good she was, but I wonder how often now we actually listen to her recordings. When I do, even after a period of months, I am amazed by the emotion, pain even, in her voice. “Billie’s Blues is straight from her inner soul.

The lineup around her is also astonishing to us now, but Roy Elderidge, Jack Teagarden, Barney Bigard, Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, Al Casey, Oscar Pettiford and Sid Catlett are the band, and Louis Armstrong is a guest. I only have volume one, an LP issued in 1974. Hi Fi it aint, but JAZZ it is.

TTFN

Geoff

2011-11-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

This Week at Hedsor Jazz

We need you!!

For the second week running, this week we have the full Clive Burton Quintet. Sharp tunes, swinging music with great solos. I’m sure for our second week running it will be just like last week. Melodic fun.

What I hope wont be like last week is the audience! Not enough of you turned out to welcome “back” our trombone blowing leader from his bed of back pain. This week, he will be fitter than ever, so come and find out. Please!!

Music Listened to this Week

Following on from my theme of Swinging 40’s and 50’s music from the “Just Jazz” stable I have something old, and something new (er). Having just written that down, it has also reminded me that once there was an LP released by the De Paris Brothers New New Orleans Band entitled “Something Old, New Gay , Blue”. They had no idea what the word “gay” was going to come to represent, they just meant it was “tres jollie”.

Old, in as much as it comes from the 1950’s is a super reissue on the Avid label of 3 LP albums headed up by Lionel Hampton. Lionel came to fame with the Benny Goodman Quintet of the late 1930’s, and in 1955 a film was made called “The Benny Goodman Story”, and much of the earlier recorded work was re created for the film. To free themselves form the constraints of film recordings, Lionel got together with Gene Krupa and Teddy Wilson in another studio to make an LP of their own. They added in bassist Red Callender and remade some of the earlier hits, this time without Mr. Goodman! So, on the first part of this new Avid double CD reissue we have “Avalon, I Got Rhythm”, “Moonglow”, “Just You, Just Me”, (still very popular, obviously, in the Just Jazz concert recordings I wrote of last week it was represented 4 times) and “Airmail Special” from the past. They are very good quality mono recordings. The double album goes on to give you the “Lionel Hampton and His Giants” LP and the “Apollo Hall Concert from 1954” LP.

You will find on this Avid reissue (AVID AMSC993) many of the players who were in the 1940’s “Just Jazz” line-ups, including Harry Edison, Art Tatum, Barney Kessel and Buddy Rich. It’s all great swinging music. That’s swing, not frantic!

Following on from this new issue comes a newer recording but older issue CD!! “The Benny Goodman Quartet Together Again” was recorded in stereo in 1963. It has the same line up as the 1955 Lionel Hampton recording mentioned above, but this time WITH Benny Goodman. I have had this since the dawn of CD’s, and it is really excellent. Beautifully recorded in the days when they were trying very hard to “sell” Hi Fi, it has some of the classic BG Quartet tunes that were originally recorded in the 30’s including my favourite “Seven Come Eleven”, but also “Runnin’ Wild”, “I’ve Found A New Baby” and 7 other great tracks as well. If you need to be introduced to the Benny Goodman Quartet, go and find this CD. I have it on the Bluebird label (an RCA derivative) number ND86283.

One final bit of sadness this week. We have had the news of the death of Michael Garrick. He died last Friday.

There is so much of his work to remember him for, but those of us who heard him at Swanage this year, or at The Wooburn Festival very recently will be saddened that he couldn’t further our remembrance of the MJQ, something he was in the process of bringing to us.

He was 78 years old, still working to almost the last, and had just had a heart operation.

2011-11-09T02:37:00.000-08:00

Jazz at Hedsor

Thursday night we have the genuine Clive Burton Quintet, complete with a recovered Clive Burton. He is healed enough from his back injury to play, but not, perhaps, to put his whole back into it!! Our regular saxophone section will also be with us, so look forward to some of the close harmony and special head arrangements that come out when the two of them get together.

Recorded Music

Thinking of head arrangement usually leads one to think of pre organised jazz orchestration, well, at least to top and tail a well-known tune that is then played “off the cuff”. That was something lacking on one of the phenomena that was the original modern jazz jam session. Back in the late 40’s and early 50’s Gene Norman organised a number of jazz concerts in California under the banner “Just Jazz”. They were real, old fashioned Jam Sessions, with almost no pre arrangement of the musicians (apart from booking who was in town at the time), which becomes very apparent on some of the recordings when it came to ending a tune!

Over the years, some of these early concert recordings were released, most famously the Lionel Hampton led band playing “Stardust”, which came out on both sides of a 45. Recently, I have re mounted my Lynn turntable and have dug out a few LP’s to play, one of which is a 3 LP set of “Just Jazz” concerts all from 1947/8.

Part of the artwork for the 3 LP set

It is really interesting to hear some of the jazz greats performing without the limitations imposed by a regular band, or by a studio a recording, which usually only allowed 3 to 5 minutes per tune. LP’s themselves were only released in the USA in 1948 and did not come on to the British scene until 1949. The extended playing time of 25 minutes a side for a 12” LP (usually initially reserved for “Classical” music) did away with these limitations for tune length, and we became used to the extended solo on a recording we could buy and take home that was the norm for a live performance heard in concert.

Back in the 1980’s I bought “Gene Norman’s Just Jazz Concerts”, a 3 LP set. I paid a bargain £4.69! The cast list for Gene’s concerts was drool worthy. He could sell out the Pasadena Civic Auditorium (2978 seats) in 1947 at $2 each! Who did they hear? Vic Dickenson, Benny Carter, Charlie Barnet, Dodo Marmarosa, Howard McGhee, Sonny Criss, Wardell Gray, Errol Garner, and many more. And they were all on the same night, April 29th 1947. Wow.

OK, the sound in the hall probably wasn’t great, and it isn’t great on the recordings either, but it is a real treat to hear some of these guys playing on there day off for a little extra pin money. Real Jazz, dare I say, just like the sort we often hear at Hedsor.

I don’t think the LP’s (vogue VJT 3003) are still available new, but last week one was available on ebay for about £17.

I couldn’t see any reference on the web to the music being reissued at any time onto CD. What a Pity!

Why not catch a Thursday Night session at Hedsor for £5 instead?

Geoff

2011-10-31T03:04:00.000-07:00

Octoberfest

Clive Burton, Simon Spillett, and the band

John Coverdale

Simon Spillett and Tracey Mendham

Well, wasn’t it a great night? A HUGE thank you to all who came to play, all who came to help on the night, all who provided food, and finally all of you, who came out in order to help keep live jazz alive at Hedsor Jazz.

As a musical experience it was fabulous. One of our audience emailed me later:-

“Music was great (thought SimonS and JohnC's rendition of "A Nightingale sang..." was worth the price of admission alone) and what great entertainment from the front 'persons' - we certainly went home with a smile on our face!”

And they were not alone in the “smile” stakes. It was first class entertainment all round. I think the biggest thank you of all must go, as Simon Spillett said on the night, to Clive Burton. His links and humour, his playing and organisation of the players and their sets, was first class. He has been that front man for over 10 years now, so we are greatly in his debt for helping to keep it all going through the thick and thin.

There were many there at Hedsor last Thursday who had not been before, at least one jazz fan who actually lives in The Hedsor Road had not been before, and she has promised to come again.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could attract that same number of people on a weekly basis. Think of the guests we could invite to play for us then. Just as a thinking point. Do you think that the reason people tend not to come to the small room is because it is “small”, and not as comfortable as the big room? Do email me with your thoughts on this.

One final point, yes, we did succeed in raising more money than we spent on organising the event, and we have replaced in Jazz Angels coffers some of the money that we need to keep Hedsor Jazz alive. Most weeks we don’t take enough in the small room to pay for each weeks event, and most weeks it is subsidised by the Jazz Angels.

Don’t forget that there are other live jazz events for you to keep supporting, Tuesday at The Bourne End Community Centre we have Al Nicholls as I mentioned in the last blog.

We return to our normal location and band this coming Thursday at Hedsor. I hope to see you there.

Geoff

2011-10-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

OCTOBERFEST

I know you all know, but just to really NAG you, tomorrow is our very special Gala night for jazz in this part of the world (South Bucks). In order to raise funds for Hedsor Jazz, we are putting on a VERY special night, tomorrow from 8 pm (note the earlier start time). We have performing with the Clive Burton Quintet:- (ladies first)

Tracey Mendham on tenor sax and personality!

Simon Spillett on Best Tenor Sax in the UK (performed with tie)!

Stuart Henderson on Trumpet. Yet to win an award, but I have yet to hear a better trumpet man.

Andy Dickens on Trumpet and vocals, possibly jokes as well.

Can I request “I Cant Get Started” now please, it was a hit at Swanage this year.

John Coverdale on guitar. A quiet man, but hear and watch how he plays!

I’m sure more musicians will come out of the woodwork just to be part of the night. I hope you come out too. It’s only £10 a head, including a light buffet (OK it may be a packet of crisps!) AND a chance to win one of our infamous raffle prizes!

Support live jazz at Hedsor!!

BUT do save some energy for next Tuesday, because at Bourne End Community Centre they have Al Nicholls who emailed me to say:-

“it may be of interest to you and the good folks at Hedsor (?), that I am playing at Mo's club at the Bourne End Community Centre on the 1st November with Bob Haddrell piano, Nils Solsberg guitar and the indefatigueable Rex Bennett on drums. It would be nice to see some friendly faces there.”

Can I stand the pace? But you can!!

TTFN

Geoff

PS. If you really cant make either of those two events (flu, child birth, world financial crisis, are only excuses you know!), you could order on line "Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton Play The Blues". It is Preposterously good!

2011-10-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have looked at this mornings posting, and were expecting to see a bit of video, well, so was I !! Google Blog hasn't managed to complete the task yet!! I will have another go later, in the meantime, here is a photo of Julie Lewis, also taken on Sunday afternoon at The Star in Weymouth.

2011-10-12T02:50:00.000-07:00

The Return from Weymouth

I am now anxious to get you to buy as many tickets for the Ocoberfest jazz concert, now rushing towards us on October 27th. We need you as much as you need us, but to help you make up your minds, the cast list of guests is growing.

So far, as well as our regular guys (all thanks to Allbran!), those committed to the task are:-

Tracey Mendham, saxophone, song, dance and personality, Simon Spillett, saxophone, tie and personality , Stuart Henderson, trumpet (not heard him sing yet!), Andy Dickens, trumpet, and song (yes he does!), John Coverdale, guitar (not heard him sing yet either), and more yet to come.

We need YOU, to come and sing and applaud, and pay your £10 entry. All the profit from this super evening of live jazz will be going into Jazz Angels coffers to ensure we can keep live jazz alive locally, especially at The Hedsor Social Club (we can all sing that!).

Tell your friends, kidnap them if needs must (they do!), and ensure that the big room at Hedsor is full.

For those dedicated to the Hedsor Jazz cause, this week we have another of our fantastic combinations of talent in the Hedsor Club Bar. Our regular rhythm section will be behind (in every sense), Simon Spillett and Mike Wills. If saxophone summit wasn't the name of a band, we could call this Thursday “Saxophone Summit”, or even “Two Tenors for a Fiver” ‘cause it will only cost you £5 to get in, slightly more to get out of course.

Just one more item. Whilst in Weymouth I visited again the pub I wrote about last week. This time I took my camera, and attached to this issue is a video of the super lady pianist who was at the keyboard there in "The Star" last Sunday. You will recognise the bass player, but the lady at the piano is Julie Lewis.

TTFN

Geoff

2011-10-05T03:41:00.000-07:00

Another Message from the holiday front

Just to update my bit about jazz in Weymouth, this is a photo, not avalable to me yesterday, of the Saxophonist who sat in, with Doug Cooper, the drummer, and singer Tanya Lonergan.

Dont forget Hedsor Tomorrow, someone has got to take my place at least!

TTFN

Portland's east cliff yesterday, looking towards Lulworth Cove.

Geoff, on holiday.

Yesterday amazingly sunny, today wet! You can only win some of the time!

2011-10-04T02:27:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, The Front was Lulworth Cove.

A Message from the Front

Well, sea front really. Although as I type, I am only just within site of the sea.

BUT, still able to cajole you all about JAZZ.

This week, at The Hedsor Social Club, we have our regular front line of Clive and Mike, with a variegated rhythm section. I don’t know who they are! I am aware that Ken Rankine and Nigel Fox will be absent without leave, but who is in their place You will have to go to find out.

As you may be aware from my opening sentence, I am away at the moment. Not in a heartland of jazz (although I did visit Swanage yesterday, which seemed very strange, with the sun beating down, and NO marquees one and two on the grassy banks).

But the area is not without jazz. On Sunday afternoon I visited a pub in Weymouth called The Star. It is a bit to one side, in a backstreet near a car park, but from 3.30pm on Sundays it is transformed into a jazz venue. And what was on offer was of surprising quality.

It is not every backstreet pub that can boast a drummer who spent 3 weeks in Chicago with the Count Basie Orchestra, but this was one. On drums, Mr. Dougie Cooper ! He wasn’t the band leader, and “the band” was a fluctuating ensemble. The event (a regular one over the last few weeks) is organised by a once married couple, bass guitarist Chris Lonergan and his ex, singer Tanya Lonergan. The keyboard player Mark ? alternates with another yet to be heard.

It was a great coming together of people who know the music, but who don’t regularly play as a band. Proficient sitters in are encouraged, and last Sunday we had a male singer called Geoff (no not me, even when drunk I don’t sing!) who was excellent. Obviously a man of experience, with 50 years of marriage behind him! He was of well above average standard, and obviously a great professional.

A man also of some vintage, sat in for a few numbers on tenor saxophone and flute. Again, someone who had great experience, and of “Hedsor” quality.

Also sitting in for a couple of bluesy numbers was a guitarist, more used to a blues band than jazz, but non the less adding a different ingredient into the mix.

The whole event is held together by Tanya, singing, linking the tunes and the musicians, dancing, encouraging, and sounding terrific. Her repertoire was song book and I thought that if you put her together with Tracey Mendham, you would have great explosions.

I’m staying on a day longer than I anticipated, just to see them all again next Sunday afternoon.

They were good, and the experience showed through. How is it that for jazz musicians, such talent has to play where it can in today’s society? Well done to the landlord of The Star for funding it. No fee was asked of us at the door. If the trend in our culture is to ignore jazz as a musical art form, I can see such venues in the future being a bit like priests holes!

Talking of The Future, our mammoth cast list for our fundraising special concert at Hedsor on October 27th is growing fast. In no order of importance, (only of booking!) we have Tracey Mendham, saxophone and personality! Stuart Henderson, trumpet, Simon Spillett tenor sax, John Coverdale guitar, and signed up only last week, trumpeter Andy Dickens.

So there are some really star names to make you book your tickets. They are still only £10 each, and you can get them from Dee on Thursdays, or from Cookham’s Stationery Depot.

Well, that’s it for now folks, TTFN

Geoff

2011-09-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

Max Britain on the left, alongside tonight's guest John Coverdale

at Hedsor earlier in the year

A quick message from the front today. Due to a much better paid gig being available to Max Britain tonight, our guest musician this evening will be another talented guitarist, John Coverdale. See you all there.

Geoff C

2011-09-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

It’s been a busy week here at Cronin Towers, so apologies for a late nag!

Tonight our special guest to keep Mike Wills company on the front line whilst Clive does a little more railing painting (a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do), is trumpeter Mike Nicholls. He is one of Ken Rankine’s companions in the Ealing Based Big Band, “The Sound of 17”. You can read more of his exploits by following the link below:-

http://www.jazztrumpet.co.uk/mikenicholls/mikenicholls.html

Next week it will be Mr. Wills turn at the railings, and Clive will be kept company with the solo’s by guitarist Max Britain.

Dont forget that tickets are available now for our monster bash on October 27th (Octoberfest!!). Just £10 including a light supper at half time. Our guests so far include Tracey Mendham, Simon Spillett, Stuart Henderson, and John Coverdale. More invitations have been issued, and I’m sure we will get further additions to the cast list. Dont forget that this time, the profit from the evening is going to ensure that we can keep live jazz alive in South Bucks.

If there is moonlight tonight, then I might see you.

TTFN

Geoff C

2011-09-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

A Little Forward Planning

There are a couple of "away" gigs to mention this week. All very worthy!!

On October 1st a Jazz supper, as part of the Wooburn Festival has Michael Garrick and his new quartet coming to the Curzon Centre in Maxwell Road, Beaconsfield. If you refer back to my write up of the Swanage Festival you will recall how excited I was at their gig at that event. Well, for £20 (including a cold supper) you can get a reprise of the whole show. Michael is bringing the exact same team with him to Beaconsfield to recreate the music of the MJQ. Jim Hart on Vibraphone, Matt Ridley bass and Steve Brown on drums. At last you will be able to hear "Golden Striker" played in full!!

Two weeks after that, our regular drummer, Martin Hart, will be presenting "Jazz at The Oakwood" in the Woodley Theatre. With his trio will be up and coming lady saxophonist Sue Greening. It all takes place on October 15th at 7.45 pm, and will cost you £10 to get in. These concerts are usually a sell out, so get your ticket soon.

You dont have to wait that long, or pay as much, to see Martin Hart. He is of course with us this Thursday at The Hedsor Social Club, as part of our usual rhythm section. In front of them this week will be Mike Wills on reeds, and Stuart Henderson on trumpet and flugel horn. £5 will get you in. 8.30 pm start.

Dont forget to get your tickets for our gala fundraising evening on October 27 th at Hedsor, when you can see Stuart again, together with Tracey Mendham, and Simon Spillett, who signed up for this event last week. That will also include a light buffet, will cost you £10 and start at 8 pm.

That event (our Octoberfest) could almost generate a big band. Last week I talked about the Skelton Skinner Allstars Big Band. Well, just like the buses, another excellent big band Cd has come into my possession.

Not such a big band this time, but scintillation sizzeling stuff non the less, from a 9 piece orchestra. Led by drummer Ken Mathieson the Classic Jazz Orchestra, formed in Edinburgh in 2004 sets out to reinterpret rather than recreate, music of an earlier era, whether it be Armstrong or Mingus.

This recording of Carters "Glasgow Suite" features Alan Barnes playing with the The Classic Jazz Orchestra to perform the music of Benny Carter. You can probably just about read the track list from the CD cover, but most of the tunes were either written by, arranged by or performed by that master of the alto sax Benny Carter.

It really is another "go out and buy me" Cd. Published on Alan Barnes Woodville label , it was created with sponsorship from Creative Land Scotland. The CD is entitled "The Glasgow Suite", and it is on Woodville Records WVCD133

As a last comment, rumour has it that Mo has decided to retire from her role as organiser of Bourne End Community Centre's monthly jazz evenings, and so far no one has volunteered to step into that role. After 12 years putting on very enjoyable monthly concerts in the Centre Bar under the heading of Centre Jazz, she has every right to hang up her booking telephone.

Hedsor Jazz has been running every week for about the same length of time. It could make you think. Do you want to see another venue lost to Live Jazz?

TTFN

Geoff C

2011-09-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

Friday September 9th

A few things to up date you all about, but first, a comment.

Last nights session with Simon Spillett as our guest at Hedsor was truly world class. I don't think anywhere or any team could have bettered last nights performance. ALL the players were at the top of their game, with Simon providing new ideas and harmonies to some fairly well know modern jazz tunes. It was an occasion that someone should have recorded, and I know I didn't!

Two solo spots from Simon, both ballads (and of course it's a well known fact that he cant play ballads), some fast tunes, but they never lacked excitement, and as I said at the top, harmonies galore. That's of the cuff harmony between Clive Burton on the trombone, and Simon on tenor sax. Not pre organised, but true improvisation. Each listening to the other AND knowing the chords!

I have paid significantly more money to be bored with much less skill by some jazz musicians who are world famous. And where was all this happening? Why, The Hedsor Social Club of course, and all for just a five pound note.

The two at the front were not the only ones playing their socks off. Someone turned to me and said "That's one improved bass player". It's true. Ken Rankine has come on leaps and bounds since he gave up his day job. Nigel Fox on keyboard played some wonderful stuff too, and Martin Hart is such a talented drummer. He can also write and arrange as well. See his two CD's for the evidence.

Martin Hart in action

It was good that the room was pretty full too, and we could have made up another rhythm section from amongst the audience!

It leaves you wanting more. Thursday nights really are the beginning of the weekend (well they are once the raffle is over!). So next week there will be more. From two guys who weren't there last night. Our guest next week (that community service is getting in the way again, lucky Reading) is one of the best bop trumpet players around, Stuart Henderson. He will be playing alongside our regular man of reeds, Mike Wills.

Which leads me on to a couple of other plugs. Our guest list for October 27 th's Octoberfest is growing. Simon Spillett put his name down for it last night. Stuart Henderson has already signed up, and Tracey Mendham will bring her tenor, voice and personality to the evening as well. The regular Clive Burton Quintet will be at the heart of the show, and more musicians, fans of what we do at Hedsor, will be coming to support the event as well. This time the gala night is to raise funds for Hedsor Jazz itself. We are determined to keep live jazz alive in our unique jazz venue, despite the trying times we live in. We also want to keep it as reasonably priced as we can. You may remember that originally we didn't charge for entry. Tickets for our Octoberfest gala evening are now available from Me on a Thursday, or from The Stationery Depot in Cookham (01628 531178).

Stuart Henderson

One final thing. Now is the time to vote for your favourite jazz musicians. Follow the link

http://www.ukjazzradio.com/bjavote.html

and you can make your favourite jazz musicians dream come true!

Roll the credits, its time to say

TTFN

Geoff C

2011-09-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

Jazz at Hedsor

Tonight we have another great session of the complete Clive Burton Quintet for you at The Hedsor Social Club. £5 entry complete with a raffle ticket. 8.30 start, but, you probably know all that anyway.

Two items of advanced news. Next week we have as our special guest the wonderful tenor player Simon Spillett. That's Thursday September 8th.

Yes, we now brace ourselves for a steady decline towards winter. To brighten that prospect we are planning another Big Room event at Hedsor. October 27th, for just £10 a head, we will have a plethora of guests including Tracey Mendham and Stuart Henderson. A light buffet for half time will be included in your ticket price. Put it in your diary now. Let your friends know. The advanced glow of the coming event will light our way to Winter!!

CD Listen of the Week

The Skelton Skinner Allstar Big Band "Cookin with the Lid On" is a superb tribute to the music of the Terry Gibbs Big Band. Past Royal Academy friends, drummer Matt Skelton and Altoist Colin Skinner have gathered together some of the best of British to pay there tribute to Terry Gibbs and Mel Lewis on a very new release that also happens to be very well recorded.

Included with them is this full size big band are Colin Oxley on guitar and Anthoney Kerr on vibes. Steve Fishwick and Gordon Campbell are in the brass section, and the tunes will all be familiar to you, "Begin The Beguine", "Billies Bounce", "It Could Happen To You", "Day In Day Out"are just part of the selection. Even the disk label looks like an LP. It's a really good example of big band music thoughtfully presented by a very upside down label (you'll have to look at one to see why!). Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD015

2011-08-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Jazz Fans

23.8.2011

It’s been a week or so since I last issued a new blog, so on this lovely day for rain, I thought I would do another one!!

First up, a plug for Hedsor Jazz. I couldn’t be with you last week, but I gather you did all turn out to cover my absence, and that it was a cracking session by the regular Clive Burton Quintet. This week we have a slight reorganisation of personnel, Clive is playing away again this Thursday and with Mike Wills as our Reed section we have that wonderfully talented guitarist John Coverdale. I have a feeling that the engine at the back will be slightly changed too, with maybe a different bass player to Mr. K. Rankine!! (I think he is also playing away, this time in Dorset).

What will be usual, the admittance price. It will be still be just £5, and the start time for the music is 8.30 pm. Normal service regarding CD sales will also be resumed this week!

Do put a date in your diary. October 27^th. We hope to hold another gala evening in Hedsor's Big Room. This will be to raise funds for our own bank account in order to safeguard the finances for future Hedsor Jazz. We were going to do this earlier in the year, but due to Zane’s illness we raised money for him and then for the Thames Valley Hospice instead.

Next year we hope to return to our usual Cancer Research fundraising concert type program.

CD’s Listened to Recently

Two quite different ones this week. First Chronologically is a set of John Coltrane albums from the 1960’s.

On the Rhino label is a box set of 5 of John C’s early LP’s, reissued now on CD, but with the full LP artwork for each album. At £13.99 it’s a bargain.

I must confess that I find Coltrane hard going sometimes, but these early albums are the ones that are most accessible, and contain the reasons why he became a jazz icon.

Second up is a slightly later album by a band that I always enjoyed but never saw live. Weather Report Live in Offenbach in 1978 is a new release on the Rockpalast label. A double CD with Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter with Peter Erskine and Jaco Pastorius as the Rhythm Section.

The group is at its most spacious, crisp and cogent. Released on two discs, the 18 pieces are taken from every stage of their decade-long history with only three from hit 1977 album Heavy Weather. Extensive in every sense. Wayne Shorter is very involved too, which always helped. Exciting, tuneful a great addition to anyone’s Weather Report Collection. Jazz Rock at it’s best. MIG 80092 2CD

2011-08-04T03:04:00.000-07:00

HEDSOR JAZZ

Tonight, Thursday August 4th, at Hedsor Jazz , as a very special guest we have saxophonist Don Wright with Clive Burton and the quartet. Many will remember the beautiful saxophone solo he played at Zane's funeral. That was a sad time, but tonight I'm sure it will be just as memorable, but with a little more lightness as well. Usual £5 entry 8.30 pm start time.

CD REVIEW

For some years now we have been constantly asking Vasilis Xenopoulos where his Cd was? Many of us think of Vasilis as being a major player in Modern Jazz, who excites us every time he plays. To do this for over 3 years and for us not to have the means of buying a souvenir of our live enjoyment has been a real disappointment.

Well, the waiting time is over “Loud City” can now be yours!

Has it been worth the wait?

Yes!

BUT it has waited since 2009 to get this far, as the recording is of the band that first came to the Cookham Festival in 2009, it being recorded in April that year. For lovers of Hammond Organ that is no bad thing, as it has Sam Gambarini as 2/3^rd of the rhythm section! Sam has now returned to Italy, so having him on this CD is an added bonus.

The material is all composed and arranged by Vasilis, and anyone who has heard him over the last 3 years will recognise many of the tunes. “EJF Theme Tune”, “Street Dance” and “Loud City” itself will all be familiar.

Nigel Price is on guitar and Chris Nickolls on drums. It all goes to make this a very enjoyable CD, well worth buying for anyone, including the Cookham Festival crowd, who heard the music live.

The wait I think has been because it is now out on a major jazz record label, 33 Records. This should give it the wider spread distribution that I think it deserves.

Lets just hope that it doesn’t take as long again for us to have a recording out of the version of Xtet that did this years Cookham Festival!!

33 Records 33JAZZ224

One of the titles on the CD is "Lazy Sunday". I don't think Vasilis knows what that is! If my information is correct, last Sunday he played Merlins Cave until 3 pm, and then helped to close the Ealing Jazz Festival with The Sound of 17!! He probably even had time for tea!!

2011-07-31T08:03:00.002-07:00

Blog Entry Dated 31.7.11

First of all, a retrospective (OK, a look backwards then), on last Thursdays Hedsor Jazz with Tracey Mendham.

Initially, the day didn’t start well! Clive had booked his passage on a riverboat trip, thinking he would be off the boat in time to join us for the majority of our session at Hedsor with Tracey. Unfortunatly, the boat must have crossed a time zone, as the boat docked at 9pm, not 8pm! This had an unfortunate knock on affect, as HE had the raffle bag, and the PA. OK, we managed to resolve the PA by borrowing Michael Weinblatts (Ta Muchly). The raffle prizes were promised to be withus by 9.45pm, so, no panic then.

Tracey, who travels from South Ockenden, then got cought up in a bad day at the M25 and again mild panic, but travel was eventually resumed in time.

BUT, on the plus side, our room was full, and for the first half Tracey put on a stella performance with our rhythm section of Geoff Clarke keyboard, Ken Rankine bass, and Martin Hart drums. Her brand of tenor playing (meaty, but she is a vegetarian!) was equalled only by her laugh and vibrant personalty.

Clive managed to get a few notes in sideways upon his return, and at the end of the evening, Tracey had sold a number of copies of her CD “The Orphan Manuscript”, and we all had an grin on our faces as we left. A wonderful evening of entertainment for your £5, and some of you went home with a raffle prize as well.

Next Thursday our guest is Don Wright, another saxophone player with a big tone, and notes to match.

Now another retrospective.

Gill Cook

Saturday I went to The Ealing Jazz Festival, something I have now managed to do for the last 3 or so years. It is always great fun, well organised, with excellent jazz content. This Saturday was no less enjoyable than in previous years, despite the increase in both admission charge and the cost of the beer! We are approaching Marlow Crown Plaza money for the booze there now AND you can only get in 4 cans of bought out alcohol (your bag is searched!).

First up in the main tent was Gill Cook, a very slim blond singer with a great talent. I had only listened to one of her CD’s before, but she is a very talented lady, and she had an excellent band with her consisting of Jamie O’Donnell – Alto Saxophone, Nick Tomalin – Piano, Dominic Howells - Double Bass, and Paul Cavacuiti – Drums. An unexpected pleasure for the start of a jazz day.

Next on, after ½ hours reset time was Xantone Blacq’s Brazilian Connection featuring Gui Tavares. Lots of bells and whistles, but not really my scene. If my memory is correct, this band were a better experience last year and I must admit to taking a break for coffee and cake during this set.

Ron Drake

Next onto the main arena stage was the Adrian Macintosh Quartet. This was basically the old Humph rhythm section plus Ron Drake on Tenor and clarinet. Excellent, and again I was surprised at how good they were. They swung, and Ted Beaumont on piano sounded remarkably like Gene Harris. John Rees-Jones - was on the Double Bass. Straight ahead jazz, played superbly, and it got the full appreciation of the audience, who would have been happy to have heard more.

I would point out at this stage that the audience at Ealing are not your usual jazz fans. Yes, they are there as well, but so too are local families out for a sunny afternoon in the park with children and an idea that sun, sand (well, very dry grass) plus the available hooch, was a recipe for a great social gathering, which it was. So, for the uninitiated to have stormed for more at the close of the Adrian MacIntosh set was quite something.

Vasilis Xenopoulos

Slightly more understandable was the great reception for Nick Mills and The Blue Note Project. Here some truly wonderful soloists played very recognisable tunes. It was nice to see some old friends from Hedsor and Cookham playing for this group, made up of Nick Mills – Trombone, Freddie Gavita – Trumpet, Vasilis Xenopoulos - Tenor Saxophone, Kit Downes – Piano, Mark Rose - Double Bass, Matt Home – Drums.

Matt Home

Liz Fletcher

Jim Mullen

Lastly, as the light faded from the park, up on stage came Liz Fletcher with a very star studded band. She looked a million dollars (or a million of whatever currency you feel safe with these days), stunning in a red dress, with matching hat. The band were not Georgina Jackson – Trumpet as stated on the web program, but a good (male) trumpet player non the less, Alison Neale – Saxophone and Flute, Jim Mullen – Guitar, not Gareth Williams – Piano as stated on the program, but again a very competent player, Adam King - Double Bass, and Sebastian De Krom – Drums.

For me, this set just didn’t work. The main bulk of the audience loved it, but to play well known jazz tunes to a funky/rock backbeat simply doesn’t work for a jazz audience. It wasn't helped by the sound system, which produced a very messy sound and I could not hear the saxophone at all. (I was 4 rows back).

The arrangements for such an experiment are going to be complicated, and the band appeared under rehearsed. Only one tune was played in 4/4 time, and to hear Duke Ellington’s “It don’t mean a thing if it aint got that swing” played with a non swinging back beat was painful. Jim Mullen I think was the only instrumentalist who managed to make anything he soloed on sound reasonable.

It was a disappointing end to an otherwise great day. Liz has done so much better on previous occasions, and she did ask at the beginning of her set to let her know if we liked it, because she has an album coming out with these arrangements. Well, now I have, sorry.

Next time I blog, there will be a review of Vasilis Xenopoulos’s new album. Yes, at long last he has a CD out on 33 records. More of that next time.

Geoff

2011-07-26T02:13:00.000-07:00

A Short Summery of the Jazz soon to be Coming to Hedsor

This week we have as our special guest, lady saxophonist extraordinaire Tracey Mendham. Not only is she a musician who has something to say with her saxophone (not all do!) but she has a terrific personality, bringing her big smile to lighten up any room. As holidays are about us, I am not sure who is in the quartet behind her, apart from Ken Rankine on bass, but Clive Burton will be playing the trombone at Hedsor this week! So we have a great evening in prospect for Thursday.

The following week, August 4^th (where is the summer going, we shall all soon be playing Christmas Carols), we have that wonderful saxophonist Don Wright coming to play for us. Those of you who have heard him before will need no second invitation. He is well worth coming out to see.

The rest of August we have a regular Quintet! Mike Wills, complete with car, will be with us for the rest of the month. Watch this space for any news regarding accompanying musicians.

The last two blogs concentrated on my view of the Swanage Jazz Festival. Another more local festival is approaching, Ealing is running during this week, right up until Sunday evening. Do check out the event list, and find out more about it by going to

http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200247/ealing_summer_festivals/501/ealing_jazz/1

Recently Heard CD

Terry Seabrook is a name I don’t know. Yes, probably I should have done by now, and you have I know, but when I saw a CD entitled “Sketches of Miles” I initially thought of it as a Miles Davis reissue. Then I noticed it was being played by Terry Seabrook’s MILESTONES. So I looked more closely at the cover, and found it features Alan Barnes, Spike Wells, Graeme Flowers, Ian Price and Dave Whitford. It is a very good tribute band, and they don’t just play Davis originals either. The first 7 tracks are a suite written by Terry Seabrook called “Sketches of Miles”, followed by 4 tunes composed either all or in part by Miles Davis himself. It was all recorded in performance last year at either Bury St. Edmunds or Warwick. It is well recorded, and you cannot tell at which venue any one piece was recorded. I enjoyed it greatly and I think you will to. TSM Records CBCD4 2010. Also have a look at www.milestonesjazz.co.uk

Well that is enough for now, more probably soon!

2011-07-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

And SO Came SUNDAY

As some of you know, July 10^th is a special and sad date in my family. Stuart, our son, died 9 years ago on this day from Cancer at the age of 36. After these intervening 9 years the day still has it’s ability to promote sad recollections.

AS this years day dawned bright and sunny, I took a stroll along the front first to sit in quiet on the stone pier near the 2 marquees, and think things through for a few minutes. Then, I proceeded on my journey to see the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra in Marquee One. I was just in time to hear a young lady with a very powerful and tuneful voice sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. She did it very well, but I had to leave as the tears began to sting my eyes.

Alan Barnes and Greg Abate

Not too many steps away however in Marquee Two I was able to cheer myself up listening to Greg Abate and Alan Barnes with David Newton, Andy Cleyndert and Steve Brown. Two great alto players with about the best rhythm section in the UK raised my mood and set the rest of the day off to a fine start. Excellent, off the cuff, music, where everyone listens to each other and employs the skill that the years of playing have endowed them with. The only problem was they finished playing after just over an hour!

David Newton

The JJ Vinten Band

Wandering outside for some fresh air (at least they had started to open out some of the marquees side panels to let some air in) and a sandwich from the very handy café facility set up between the two marquees, I heard some very nice sounds coming from M1. This turned out to be the JJ Vinten Jazz Band, who played a mixture of familiar jazz tunes in a sort of Dixieland style. They were very good indeed. They consisted of Jonathan Vinten on piano, Andy Dickens trumpet and flugel horn, Dave Hewett trombone, Goff Dubber reeds, Andy Lawrence on bass and Colin Miller on drums. Entertaining, good harmonies, and a good mix of repertoire. And they didn’t sound tired either!

I then took my newly found fitness (yes, I am kidding) and made my way slightly early, to Marquee Three to get a place for the Michael Garrick Quartet. Being early for this meant that I heard some of Led Bib’s repertoire. I think all I can say about them is, they were loud!

Michael Garrick and Matt Ridley

Jim Hart

Michael Garrick’s set however was a total contrast, and a total delight. Subtitled “Plays MJQ” the music was nostalgic, melodic, and beautifully executed. It is about time some of the wonderful tunes first heard with the original MJG were heard again. One of my gripes is that almost everyone who plays Hedsor at some time includes a quote from “Golden Striker” but no one ever plays it in its entirety. Well it was The Michael Garricks Quartet’s first tune! The MJQ repertoire is delicate music, with the melody often carried by the bass player, and past around between the piano and the vibraphone. The drums are also an integral part of the harmony, not just a rhythmical background. The team that has just started a UK tour with these arrangements are Michael Garrick on piano, Jim Hart on vibraphone, Matt Ridley bass and Steve Brown on drums. Rumour has it that they may well come to Marlow as part of the tour. If that proves to be the case, don’t miss it!

Swanage on Sunday

By now, we are coming towards the end of the jazz festival. An evening meal, a wash and brush up perhaps, and out for the final part. Now this is one of my caveats. You do only have 2 choices. At 7pm, you could join the cue for Liane Carol outside M2 (yes, it didn’t start until 8.15pm, but you could wait in line from then on for a seat inside) OR you could go into M1 and see The Dave Brennan Jubilee Jazz Bands final gig of the festival. Having strayed in the same digs as them for a couple of years 10 or so years ago, I always like to take in one of their performances (was it 8 this year?) and so it was this one that I went to see. I thought they played their version of traditional jazz very well this year.

Keith Nichols

Marquee One filled up, and before Keith Nichols Tribute to Louis Armstrong they were already standing at the back. I stayed put, and had a good reiteration of all of L A’s playing style from the 20’s to the 50’s. Keith Nichols on piano used Enrico Tomasso as Louis and accompanied him with Alistair Allan on trombone, who played superbly, Oliver Wilby on reeds, Martin Wheatly guitar, Jerome Davis on bass and Richard Pite on drums. Also introduced into this ensemble was none other than Alan Barnes. Alan played a remarkably well in the style of Johnny Dodds, and filled out the 30’s orchestra sound on alto sax. A couple of gripes about this set. The amplification/PA was not very good, and Alan Barnes was not used to best advantage and for a lot of the time looked like a spare part on stage. Enrico as L A was magnificent.

Enrico plus

It was reported at the end of the evening that people had been leaving M2 (having cued up for it earlier) for M1. The noise level coming from that tent was unbelievably loud, even in M1. Now I happen to be a fan of Liane Carrol, I have seen her many times over the years, and have always enjoyed her performances. But I object to having to cue up hours before to see her. And I would have also been driven out by the volume. I must say that I thought the choice on Sunday night was poor. I do understand the economics, more choice would mean more cost, and a lot of people go home Sunday night for work on Monday. But equally, many pay for an extra nights lodgings to extend their enjoyment of an excellent jazz festival into the Sunday night. A possible compromise could be had if one other venue was made available, and given to some quality local amateur jazz musicians to display their talents.

Criticisms aside, I have already booked my accommodation for next year. Well, I would have, but I didn’t know the dates for the next (Olympics)year festival, so I could only express interest in the room I had for next year. Another suggestion on the accommodation front. It’s getting far more difficult to find accommodation within Swanage for the festival, and what is available is suffering under the laws of supply and demand and becoming very expensive. When faced with a similar dilemma 20 years ago, Brecon asked the townsfolk if they would be prepared to increase B&B capacity by letting out their spare rooms just for the festival. It worked, and many lasting friendships were made by so doing.

Whatever the future may hold, can I ask Fred Lindup and his committee to keep up the good work, and keep on going with Swanage Jazz Festivals. Well done to all of you who had a part in organising and staffing this years event.

2011-07-15T04:03:00.001-07:00

Swanage Jazz 2011

A “proper” keyboard, not a laptop one, and a decent broadband connection, means that after almost a week, I can write up my thoughts on this years Swanage Jazz Festival.

It was greatly enjoyable, with I suppose, one or two caveats. The sun shone, Swanage looked as though we were all in the Mediteranian, and the organisation was, as usual, very good. It is impossible to see everything at Swanage’s Jazz Festival. None of my friends saw exactly the same bands and events that I did, but that is one of Swanage’s great strengths. The level of choice, and the quality of the available music, is nearly always first rate. The cost very reasonable.

So what did I see, and what did I think of them?

Friday 8^th July

Being based this year in a B&B very near the Conservative Club, I decided that I would take my place in their upper room for the evening. I didn’t choose to see Ian Shaw, or Gill Manly in Marquee 2, or climb the hill to Marquee 3. Instead first up was a set by The Great Western Jazz Company. This was trad jazz, and seemed to me to lack some of the vitality that can be generated by this kind of jazz.

They were followed by The Andy Dickens Quintet.

Andy has played for us at Hedsor, and was part of the Zane Cronje Benefit Concert. The Quintet played some traditional tunes, some Duke Ellington Tunes, and some “modern” jazz. That’s modern as the 1950’s! With Andy on Trumpet and Flugel Horn (even at the same time once!), Craig Milverton on Piano, Julian Marc Stringle on Clarinet and Tenor sax, Rod Brown on Drums and Brett Neville on bass, they swung, and entertained superbly. The announcements by Andy were witty and the whole band seemed alive.

One incident of note (no pun intended) during the third number, Brett Neville’s bass bridge collapsed, something I have never seen happen before. He promptly carted his bass off whilst the band kept playing. He repaired it “out the back”, then carried it back on and started playing, whereupon the whole band left him to play the rest of the tune by himself!! At the end, Andy said that Brett had detuned the bass a semitone after the repair and compensated for the rest of the gig to ensure less pressure was put on the repaired bridge!

All in all a wonderful evening of entertainment, full of good music and good humour. It certainly met my criteria of producing a smiling audience! It was also a very full house by the evenings end!

Saturday 9^th July

Marquee 2

If Marquee’s 1 and 2 had faces, they would be facing the bay. Sunlight, sparkling sea, boats bobbing, children playing, and foreign students marching up and down learning everything about the seaside except the Jurassic bit they were probably sent to examine.

Inside The Frank Griffith Sextet.

Frank on reeds (he has also played Hedsor in the distant past), Bob Martin on Alto sax, Steve Fishwick trumpet, Tim Laphorn piano, Mick Hutton on bass and Matt Fishwick on drums. A good clean sound, slightly edgy in a 1990’s modern way.

I had not heard Bob Martin before, an American apparently spending a fair amount of time in the UK. I was impressed by his playing. Mick Hutton was also a "noticeable" bass player.

John Critchinson

Dave Green and Jacqui Hicks

Next up was another great British jazz man, who has also played Hedsor in the past, John Critchinson, with Art Theman on sax various, Dave Green bass and Dave Barry drums. They were joined from time to time by singer Jacqui Hicks. An excellent set, combining the well know talents of all the players.

Greatly enjoyed, but having been on a plastic chair for over 4 hours, I decided that a stroll, cup of tea and piece of cake was the answer.

After this refreshment I climbed the hill to Marquee 3 to see James Evans' Rocket 5.

This is a strange mix. Interesting, and the audience loved it, but when I tell you that it was made up of Alan Barnes on reeds, James Evans on alto, and a kind of amplified clarinet (which he used mostly to generate bass notes),

Jake Gill on a 6 string banjo,

Tom Kincaid on piano, and Al King drums it will tell you that it was well played interesting!

It was a kind of modernised trad, with bouncy, never before heard tunes! Definitly the stuff for a jazz festival where you can sample "different" without it costing you more money!!

Swanage veterans then had a recess for food in the Black Swan, and reconvened in M2 for the Swanage Festival Allstars, who were.

The only problem was that the Marquee was not large enough for the audience . For those who like modern swinging jazz, this was probably the gig of the festival, but having stood at the back from only 10 minutes after the start until the interval I gave in around 10 pm and went to bed! They were a stellar line up, and they were all seen by me at some point in the weekend in greater comfort, but not for long on Festival Saturday night!

The lineup was:-

Alan Barnes reeds, Art Theman reeds, Don Weller tenor sax, Bruce Adams trumpet and flugel horn, David Newton piano, Andy Cleyndart bass and Steve Brown bass.

They were a great combination, but the venue was too small!

There I will leave you. Sunday news comes up after a nights sleep!

2011-07-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Where's the Jazz? Two views of the Western Edge of Portland Island

Good morning jazz fans.

A quick message from the front (well almost sea front!), using a very dodgy wireless link.

This coming Thursday we hope to have back at Hedsor our regular reed section.

Yes, Mr. Mike Wills is being allowed to attend!!

We also anticipate trumpeter Stuart Henderson.

We may even see the rest of the Clive Burton Quintet.

So why not turn out in the promised rain, spend £5 to get yourself in to Hedsor Jazz, and listen to some of the best modern jazz you can hear outside of London.

By which time I will be in Swanage ( in the rain!!).

TTFN

Geoff C

2011-06-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

First a quick (OK Late!) plug for tonight’s gig at Hedsor.

Our illustrious guest tonight is saxophonist Simon Spillett. We have Clive to harmonise with him at the front on the trombone, and a guest drummer to propel them both along (I think that will be Mike Jeffries, Martin is taking a service break), with Nigel Fox and Ken Rankine to moderate the rhythm section! It all starts off at 8.30 pm, and we still only charge £5 to get in. There is nowhere else in Britain where you can have so much fun and see so much jazz talent as at Hedsor on a Thursday, so why not break a habit of a lifetime and come along. Do I mean smoking? Well perhaps I do, but I also mean that habit of lethargy that we all sometimes get struck down by! If you like the sort of jazz that we play at Hedsor, come and help to keep it a living music, not a historic one.

As mentioned last time, I will be away until after the Swanage Jazz Festival, I will not be taking my crystal ball with me (or Kenny) so I wont be able to let you know who will be with Clive Burton at Hedsor in July. With luck, Mike Wills will be making his reappearance, as long as they pass him fit to drive again. Looking on to the end of July, on the 28^th, we will all be joined by the ebullient Tracey Mendham, saxophonist, singer at cat fan. She is terrific fun, so put that in your diary NOW.

CD’s that I am taking with me.

Three really enjoyable CD’s have come out of the woodwork recently. They have some commonality, they are all on the Arbors label, and two of the three have Chuck Wilson on Alto Sax and Howard Alden on Guitar.

“Ruby Braff, Our Love Is Here To Stay” was recorded on consecutive days in April 1998. It is so good to still have previously unreleased material from Ruby being released now. This one follows his usual relaxed and melodic style, with him playing alongside very compatible musicians on tunes that have largely stood the test of time. Relaxed, swinging, never sounding hackneyed. “Day in, Day Out”, “I’m Coming Virginia”, “Deed I Do”, have all been played a million times, and if you have any Ruby Braff in your collection you would have heard them from him before. But he was always so inventive and melodic. Chuck Wilson adds a bit of Hodges like alto, and Howard Alden is as good as he always is, consistent and pleasant to listen to. On a few of the tracks they are all joined by Scott Robinson on Tenor Sax, and Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet. The rhythm section is Marshall Wood on Bass and Jim Gwin on Drums. The CD Number is Arbors ARCD 19426 Braff fans need to add this to their collection.

Next one up is under the name of Chuck Wilson, “Echo of Spring”. Again, a very accomplished, relaxed sound by guys who play so well that they no longer have to remember how to do it! This time, Chuck and Howard are joined by a lovely trombone player Joel Helleny, who sadly died in 2009. The overall sound is kin to the sound we often get at Hedsor. “Echo of Spring” is a Willie “The Lion” Smith tune, but they have also managed to include for my benefit the Billy Strayhorn tune “Isfahan” from the Duke Ellington “Far East” Suite. Also by Strayhorn is “Upper Manhattan Medical Group” written when Billy was being treated for the cancer that eventually killed him. Small group music beautifully played. Murray Wall is on Bass and Tom Melit Drums. Arbors ARCD 19206

The last one in this little roundup is slightly different, and you may think why am I writing about a CD entitled “The International Hot Jazz Quartet Havin A Ball”, because the title alone is a lot of keys to push! 4 players, all great instrumentalists, playing trad tunes? Yes and no. Because in the selection they have elected to play for us is Jelly Roll Morton’s “Sidewalk Blues” and “King Porter Stomp”, but also Jimmy Giuffe’s “Four Brothers” and Charles Thompson’s “Dynaflow”. It is all great fun, played with real thought for each tune, and not anything like British Trad of the 50’s and 60’s. The players are Duke Heitger on Trumpet, Englebert Wrobel on reeds, Paolo Alderighi on Piano and Oliver Mewes on Drums. It was all recorded in 2010 and is on Arbors ARCD 19407. I don’t have proper artwork for this one, as it was a rescue from a critics floor job, but search it out as it is great fun and will bring a smile to you face. You cannot believe it is only a quartet that is producing the lovely sounds.

So, TTFN Geoff

2011-06-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

“To blog, or not to blog, that is the question”

or even recently "Can I blog at all"!!

Apologies to those who have turned to my blog pages this last 2 weeks or so to discover what is on and where in the local jazz scene, I have been unable to write the page due to an unpleasant and debilitating illness. I am ever so glad to say that I am now much better, and in a position to let you know what is happening, not only tomorrow, but next week as well!!

Tomorrow, June 16th at Hedsor Jazz we have a saxophonist that we haven’t seen for a little while. Peter Cook will be alongside Clive. It will be good to have him back with us, and I hope you all feel energetic enough to come out and hear the combined efforts of Clive, Peter and the rest of the boys(?) in the Quintet. To catch up with Peter’s career, try his web site http://web.mac.com/petecook/Site/Welcome.html from which you can tell he IS well worth turning out for. We have had some wonderful sessions with him in the past, and tomorrow will not be the last time we invite him.

Tomorrow you will have the joy of passing ME the £5 entry fee. Dee will be away, and I have been loaned the RED BOX!! And the shopping bag to keep it in!!

The following week (with Dee back in charge of the £5 notes) we are delighted to have saxophonist Simon Spillett back with us at Hedsor again alongside Clive. I have always thought that those two can put together great harmonies, and we are privileged to have such support from professional musicians like Peter and Simon for our Hedsor Jazz.

For those of you who enjoy another of the saxophonists who have graced Hedsor Social Club, Vasilis Xenopoulos you might like to know that his Xtet will be playing this Sunday (now you haven’t forgotten it is Fathers Day have you?) at The Lodge Tavern in Ealing.

If that venue is outside the range of your motoring experience, then you might like to know that he will be at the Marlow Jazz Club, held in the Marlow British Legion Club, on Tuesday June 21^st. AND he will be playing alongside Mr. Art Theman, recently retired from his day job as an orthopaedic surgeon. Art has been a giant of the British Modern Jazz Scene for a number of decades, and you may not have realised that music was not his day job!

Coming back to us we hope in July will be our regular saxophonist Mike Wills. Keep your fingers crossed as he needs to get his driving licence back since his little episode with his pacemaker, but he hopes to be with us very soon. We have arranged a little welcoming match for him. On July 28^th, that lady of the saxophone, Tracey Mendham will be joining us again!

Bye the way don’t forget that we can always add in an additional star musician of your choice into our regular Thursday night mix. If you would like to sponsor someone, either on your own or together with some friends just tell Clive or me and we will see if it can be arranged.

You will see above the Certificate Awarded to Hedsor Jazz by Thames Hospicecare after our presentation last month of the proceeds of our Tribute to Zane Cronje Concert (£635). So well done to all of you for making it such a worthwhile sum.

In a week or so I shall be getting into training for the Swanage Jazz festival, and will be disappearing from your ranks for 2 or 3 weeks. I promise to try and tell you before I go of some of the CD’s I would recommend you taking with you on your holiday. OK, you may MP3, but you don’t get the sleeve note or the artwork, and yes, I do MP3 as well!!

So, with this first blog since coming out of the closet, I bid you adieu (It wasn't an earth one I promise, here in Cookham the ceramic ware is really quite sophisticated!).

2011-05-31T02:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 31st May 2011

Good Morning,

That was a bank holiday that was! And here we are back to our normal day time week time activities!

And I do hope that ONE of those activities will be listening to live jazz. Not only live jazz, but live jazz at The Hedsor Social Club (sing together in unison now!).

This coming Thursday at Hedsor Clive rejoins the band. He will be alongside singer Lynn Garner. It will be so nice to have her back in the small room atmosphere of the Hedsor Bar.

Now that much of the Quintet is fixed. Who else will be there, I am as yet unsure! Well, even poorly paid musicians do sometimes take a holiday!

I do hope however that YOU are back from your holiday break. Last week we were a bit thin on the ground, and, like I keep saying, unless we get bodies on chairs, we wont get bodies playing jazz!

That doesn’t only apply to Hedsor Jazz, but all musicians need support, and as jazz gets little support from the Media (mentioning no national broadcasting organisation in particular) most need to advertise as economically as possible.

You may have caught up with Vasilis Xenopoulos’s new web site, but if you havent bookmarked it yet, its www.vasilisx.com

It is a very good value site, with lots of links and music for you to listen to, so do go and have a look. It tells you where he is playing next, and contains a link to the recent Cookham Festival Concert. You can watch a 10 minute video clip of that concert if you dig into the site. Well worth doing. Not that I’m biased, I only booked him for it!

Last week we took a trip to The Thames valley Hospice in Windsor and handed over a cheque for £635, the proceeds from our tribute to Zane concert.

Many thanks to all who came and contributed to that sum. They were very grateful, and the picture above is of Margaret and Dee with a representative of the Hospice at the handover.

That’s it for now folks, see you all Thursday.

2011-05-26T03:13:00.000-07:00

It is nice to see that John Balsom of The Maidenhead Advertiser has picked up on Zane's SA TV tribute at the SAMA .

We were very fortunate in having Zane play for us for 10 years. As Lisa Amato said when Zane first played with Lisa and guitarist James Fenn, "We must keep a track of this guy, he knows all the cords"!

And as "The Usual Suspects" they did for some years play together at "The Old Bell" in Wooburn, until the landlord decided that conversation was better than the music!!

I remember James saying as we left the last gig at The Old Bell, "He doesn't know what he is turning away"!

Geoff C

2011-05-26T02:56:00.000-07:00

A slight rearrangement of guests tonight at The Hedsor Social Club.

Lynn Garner is unable to be with us tonight, still being in France.

She will now be with us NEXT WEEK together with Clive Burton.

In her place, to keep John Coverdale company at the front, will be saxophonist Mark Aston.

Usual start time of 8.30 pm, usual entry fee of £5. I hope to see you there.

Geoff C

2011-05-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

Another Tribute to Zane

Zane’s sister Lisa has just emailed me with the news that Zane was paid tribute to recently on SA TV. The following is from one of Zane’s cousins, still resident in SA

“I watched the SAMA awards on TV tonight and they had a roll of honor with the names of SA music greats who have passed on and there was ZANE CRONJE!! Well my tears flowed and Carol phoned me crying as well. It was just so wonderful to see and know that Zane is definitely honored and remembered for his amazing talent and contribution to South African music.”

Lynn Garner at the Tribute to Zane Night

Whilst blogging, let me remind you that this Thursday at Hedsor, we have that wonderful singer Lynn Garner, with the added bonus of guitarist John Coverdale. Clive is still “in service” so it will be a very intimate jazz evening this week. Tell your friends, no, just bring them!!

Nigel Fox and John Coverdale at the Tribute to Zane night

Geoff C

2011-05-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

The Cookham Festival Jazz Night 20th May 2011

I listen to a lot of live jazz, I often write about it on “my” blog. I often seem to use words like “superb”, tremendous”, “great”. Most times, I feel these words to be true of the performance I have listened to. Last night, somehow none of these adjectives seemed at all appropriate. The quality of the music, and of the musicianship was totally superb and outstanding.

So, what, and who, did we hear?

Under the heading of “Vasilis Xenopoulos and His Xtet” I had been asked “What is an Xtet”?

Last night we found out.

From the back to the front all the musicians were world class players, who happen to try and make a living by playing jazz.

Drummer Matt Home is a regular with the house band at Ronnie Scott’s, and also with Matt Wates Sextet and the Nigel Price Trio.

Nigel Price was on guitar. His trio won the Parliamentary Award for Best Jazz Group in 2010.

Mark Rose on bass is a regular with both Vasilis and with singer Michael L Roberts bands.

Leon Greening was on keyboard. He is also a regular member of the prestigious Matt Wates Sextet.

Michael L Roberts, jazz tutor at Trinity Collage, is one of those unique people, a male jazz singer, who really does sing jazz.

And Vasilis. He is a master of music from Berkley Collage in Boston, the premier “university” for jazz musicians.

Individually they are remarkably talented. They came together as a group last night, and became one. An Xtet!

The music was modern jazz, today’s modern, with homage to past modern jazz tunes, but with a whole new perspective. It was Rocky, driving, with the complete band showing exceptional musicianship and cohesion. At times you honestly couldn’t tell which of the instruments were making the notes that others were including in their solo. And they were all equally great. Every solo was awe inspiring. Collectively, they were one of life’s “WOW” experiences.

It is a tribute to the appreciation that jazz now has in “The Cookhams” that the night was a sell-out. Matt Homes was surprised at how many people were there. He just didn’t expect that level of support. All the band enjoyed the evening, but did the audience?

All those great adjectives came back to me at the end of the evening from various members of the audience. “Extraordinary” was also added in to the collection. One lady was so full of joy at the end, that as the perceived organizer of the event she said I deserved a hug, which I dully got! Another of the audience said it was the best jazz gig they had ever been to. Someone said to me that the saxophone seemed to be an integral part of Vasilis, and not just an instrument to pick up or put down. He seemed permanently attached!

So, in my view it was a successful evening. People were smiling, which is the best tribute an evening of music can generate. Someone even said they would come again!

So Thank you Cookham Festival for letting me book the Xtet.

www.jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com

2011-05-19T01:28:00.000-07:00

Simon Spillett with Clive Burton

Michael L Roberts with Vasilis

Stuart Henderson with Mike Jeffries on drums

Just a quick nag this morning (where does the time go to?), to say that TONIGHT (May 19th) at Hedsor we have a VERY special night of jazz.

There are 3 guests with the band tonight. Clive is still doing community service, so in his place we have that superb trumpet and flugel horn player Stuart Henderson. Accompanying him is saxophonist who star has truly risen(!!), Simon Spillett.

As Martin Hart is helping Clive with his service to the community, drummer Mike Jeffries will be in the middle of it all. On Keyboard Nigel Fox, on bass Ken Rankin. 8.30 pm start £5 entry.

Then tomorrow another superb night of jazz. For the Cookham Festival Jazz evening at Pinder Hall, we have Vasilis Xenopoulos, and his Xtet. That means, if you have yet to get a ticket, hurry up, it will sell out, there are really only a few left. Try ringing 01628 531178 (The Stationery Depot in Cookham) to see if any are left. If you do have one, what a treat we have coming up. With Vasilis will be singer Michael L Roberts, Nigel Price on guitar, Leon Greening on piano, Mark Rose on bass, and Matt Home on drums.

I dont know how we do it!! But from 8 pm on Friday night, we do!

TTFN

Geoff

2011-05-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Painful though it must seem, having dwelt on the passing of a master musician for the past few weeks and months, we must now look to the future. Not just at Hedsor, where this weeks guest will be BBC Big Band trumpet star Paul Eshelby, but to other jazz events too.

Coming very soon, on Friday May 20th we have a tremendous jazz night lined up as part of The Cookham Festival. Just to increase everyone's awareness of this event, I have produced a simple poster, a jpeg file of which is above. If you haven't already received a PDF file of this by email from me, and would like to have a copy to let you print from it, email me at

geoff.jazzsuspect@tiscali.co.uk

with your email address and I will send you one.

Although the official box office is The Stationery Depot, for anyone coming to Hedsor, I do now have a few tickets to sell myself.

That week we have a cup overflowing with great jazz, because at Hedsor on Thursday 19th, we have with us yet again that wonderful saxophonist Simon Spillett.

Then the following week at The Marlow Jazz Club on Tuesday 24th, there will be another mouth watering event. Saxophonist Bobby Wellins, with John Critchinson on keyboard and, Andy Cleyndert on bass.

Inflation is set to go up to and beyond 5% this year, but at Hedsor, we have decided, after much debate, to fix our entry fee at its current level of £5. This has been the same for nearly 3 years now, and we feel that it would be better to concentrate on getting more audience than getting more money from the existing one. I hope that YOU will become one of the new, if you are not already one of the existing. Hedsor Jazz meets in The Hedsor Social Club from 8.30pm every Thursday. The bar, which now stocks Rebellion Beer, is open at 7pm.

It was very nice to meet 2 guys who read my blog at the Woodley Jazz event last Saturday. Maybe I'll see you all soon at a jazz event wherever it may be.

Geoff C, helping to keep live jazz ALIVE!

2011-05-06T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Morning After the Night Before

Last night we held a concert at The Hedsor Social Club in memory of Zane Cronje, and to raise money for the Thames Valley Hospice, which I think is now called Thames Hospicecare.

It was a very pleasurable affair, and I'm sure Zane would have been delighted with the mix of music and musicians. It was great fun, and I have put with the blog some of the photos I took last night. I'm sure more will follow; John Slater was also taking pictures, as well as playing (at different times!), trumpet and keyboard.

Our stated aim was also reached, we will soon be able to pay over to TVH £600 directly raised from last nights concert.

Can I take this opportunity of thanking all the musicians who came and took part and all the musicians who simply came to be in the audience, including the Estonian Ambassador (!) Also a big “thank you” to all the fans who came and supported in memory of Zane. It was wonderful to have Margie back at Hedsor again, with members of her family. It must have been very hard for her, she would have been missing a pianist. But she is a brave lady, and I did notice that she had a smile on her face by the end of the concert.

We have all lost friends and family to cancer. What you have all done by supporting last nights event is to add a little comfort and support to those who are going through the dreadful final process of the disease.

More later, but for now….Thank you.

2011-05-04T07:13:00.001-07:00

Hi Folks,

Just an update on tomorrow night's Tribute to Zane Cronje at The Hedsor Social Club.

In addition to the guest musicians I mentioned the other day, we have now 3 more who will be coming to pay tribute, and to entertain.

Saxophonists Mark Aston, and Stuart Henderson's Russian friend "Tolly" will be with us, and I am delighted to say that singer Lynn Garner will also be with us for tomorrow night.

Also coming to be in the audience for the first time since Zane's benefit Night will be Margaret, and one or two other members of Zane's family.

Dont forget we are in the big room, it will start at 8pm, and it will cost you £10 to get in. All our profit from the evening will be going to the Thames Valley Hospice in memory of Zane, who spent his last few weeks in the Windsor branch.

Let's make it an amazing turnout.

Geoff C

2011-05-02T02:13:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Another Monday, but this time, fortunately, a Bank Holiday. Not that bankers cant afford to take the odd holiday of course, but at least, the rest of us are given a holiday today by a grateful government!

More importantly perhaps is that this is a Monday that follows the Thursday where we said farewell to Zane Cronje.

I’m pleased to say that a lot of you did, which shows the respect so many of us had for Zane. In the days and weeks to come I’m sure we will all carry on sharing our recollections of Zane, and it will be a specially difficult time for his family. It was really nice to meet some of them at his funeral. The crematorium ceremony was a fitting tribute to such a renowned musician, and Don Wrights alto solo was particularly moving and must have been very difficult for him to perform. Emotion is an entirely understandable thing at times like this, and Don performed perfectly.

Don Wright Playing at Hedsor earlier this year

The gathering afterwards at The Fifield Inn was another point of nostalgia. Century Jazz played there for many years, Keith Vitty’s wake was carried out there, and Zane played with Century Jazz AKA The Clive Burton Quintet for around 10 years there too. However, it was a joyful experience, music was played, and many conversations took place. We really ought to be able to have funeral wakes without the funeral, to have a joyful excuse to gather on an afternoon, play music and chat, and share our very humanity with each other.

Sketch of Zane by Keith Wilkins

Maybe we will have an opportunity to do something like that on Thursday evening this week. May 5th, apart from giving you all the opportunity to say “yes” or “no” over AV, gives us all another opportunity to pay tribute to Zane. At Hedsor from 8 pm onwards (note the time, we are in the big room!), we are having a special gathering of musicians and friends to play a tribute for Zane. Please come along. The Clive Burton Quintet will provide the basis of the band, but all who played with Zane are welcome to come and have a blow.

We will be charging £10 to get you in. We do have to pay to rent the room, but more importantly, all the profit from the event will go to the Thames Valley Hospice. I don’t know who will be able to come and play. I do know that Simon Spillett (who played so well at the wake last Thursday) and Tracey Mendham are both playing at a charity concert to raise money for the Japanese Emergency, so will be unable to be there, but Stuart Henderson will, and so will John Coverdale and John Slater, but I anticipate many more.

Just a reminder and a notice. Vasilis will be playing at The Woodley Theatre this coming Saturday with the Martin Hart Quartet, and on Friday May 20th Vasilis and His Xtet together with guitarist Nigel Price and singer Michael L. Roberts are playing the jazz night for the Cookham Festival. Tickets for this are available from the Stationery Depot in Cookham 01628 531178

Next Thursday, May 12th at Hedsor we have as our guest BBC Big Band trumpet star Paul Eshelby. We will be back to our usual entry charge of £5 for this.

So, after a week of holidays and of sadness, we will all be getting back to a new norm. Life goes on, and evolves. I hope for Hedsor Jazz YOU will be part of its evolution.

2011-04-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

A Pictures taken at Hedsor in 2008

Just a line or two about Thursday.

Zane Cronje’s funeral will take place at Easthampstead Park Crematorium RG40 3DW, (near Bracknell), at 1.20 pm on Thursday 28th.

Those of you who are attending the funeral are asked not to wear black. Also it is requested that no flowers are given, but that donations be made to The Thames Valley Hospice.

After the funeral, all are invited to a buffet at The Fifield Inn.

Later from 8.30 pm onwards our regular evening Hedsor Jazz meeting will take place, our guest this week is trombonist Steve Shaw. A kind of J and K night!

Next week, May 5th, apart from voting for your first past the post alternative rights, we will have the Tribute Night for Zane Cronje at Hedsor from 8 pm onwards. Please pay your £10 at the door. There are no tickets in advance this time. ALL of the profit from that night is going to the Thames Valley Hospice.

I’m sure there will be many guest musicians at that event. Unfortunately, one or two cannot be with us, including the previously advertised Peter Cook, who has got a MUCH better paid gig at Ronnie Scott’s that night!! See, look at just how much you save by coming to Hedsor to see these stars!

Geoff C

2011-04-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

Zane in Malmesbury Abbey Gardens 2004

The day that Zane Died, I had a wonderful email from saxophonist Simon Spillett. I wanted to share what he wrote about Zane with the world via my blog, but I only got his permission to do so yesterday.

So, here it is, in full. I dont need to add anything else. I think it a very fitting tribute.

Dear Geoff,

Clive just phoned me to let me know the sad news. Please extend my sincere condolences to Margaret and all of Zane's family.

He was a remarkable man; talented, hugely intelligent and extremely funny. I have many fond memories of him, both musically and off-the-stand and I always enjoyed his company, perhaps never more so than when we shared a radio spot on Cookham Summer FM.

Whenever we'd talk there would be lots of laughter and I loved his readiness to try material that was sometimes daunting. We used to like playing Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life, as anyone will tell you, a tune with a sophisticated structure full of hidden doors. Sunday night in a half-deserted Fifield perhaps wasn't the right place for such an exhibition of musical erudition, but we did it anyway!

I also tremendously admired Zane's refusal to recognise generic pigeon-holes and his trio spots at Hedsor were enriched by this, whether playing songs by The Beatles, Billy Joel, Wayne Shorter or one of his impressionistic classical borrowings.

Above all, Zane was a fine musician, with one of the most harmonically agile minds I've ever encountered and his lengthy CV attests to his all-encompassing musical ability. I am deeply sorry at his passing but I am equally certain that Zane acheived what all musicians want to acheive; to bring some beauty into an otherwise perplexing world. For that, he will be fondly remembered.

Simon

I am so glad to have been able to call Zane my friend.

Geoff C

2011-04-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Zane Cronje 13.5.1938 – 16.4.2011

Following on from the announcement of Zane’s funeral details, we can now confirm that there will be a tribute night to Zane on Thursday May 5^th at The Hedsor Social Club from 8 pm.

It will be “a pay at the door” event, admission £10, and all the profit from the evening will be going to The Thames Valley Hospice, where Zane spent his last few weeks.

The Clive Burton Quintet, our resident band and the one Zane played in for over 10 years, will be the mainstay of this very special event. Guest saxophonist Peter Cook has already been booked for the night, and he will be joined by many of the musicians that were a significant part of Zane’s music al life.

A light buffet will be available in the interval.

I’m sure it will be great night of informal jazz, do come, support a worthy cause and together we will celebrate the life of a remarkable musician.

Geoff

2011-04-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Zane playing in 2008 at the Dixeland to Swing Concert

This is to let you all know that Zane’s funeral will take place on Thursday 28th April at Easthampstead Park Crematorium at 1.30 pm.

It will be a non religious ceremony aimed at celebrating Zane’s life, with contributions from family and friends.

http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/location-map-for-cemetery-and-crematorium.pdf

The link above will give you details of the crematorium.

After the service Margaret and the family are inviting all attenders to a buffet at The Fifield Inn, a place where he used to play, and were he and Margaret first met.

It is anticipated that in early May, a musical tribute to Zane will be held at The Hedsor Social Club on one of our regular Thursday nights.

Geoff C

2011-04-16T01:51:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Geoff

2011-04-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Geoff C

2011-04-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

LAST WEEK

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

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

THIS WEEK

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

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

SPECIAL OFFER

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

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

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

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

CD REVIEWS

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

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

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

I must go and play “Isfahan” again!

TTFN

Geoff

2011-03-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

April 7th

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

April 14th

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

April 21st

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

April 28th

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

May 5th

Guest will be Peter Cook on saxophone.

May 12th

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

May 19th

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

May 26th

A welcome return for our guest saxophonist Al Nicholls.

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

CD Review

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

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

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

TTFN

Geoff

2011-03-24T02:56:00.001-07:00

Hedsor Jazz Update

Thursday March 24th

Just a reminder about tonight's Hedsor Jazz Gig.

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

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

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

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

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

Geoff

2011-03-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hedsor Jazz News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zane

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

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

*Jazz Angels

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

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

2011-03-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

Zane on the Move

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

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

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

then "click here" to watch the DVD.

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

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

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

2011-03-15T09:52:00.001-07:00

News of Zane

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

This Week at Hedsor Jazz

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

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

CD Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011-03-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

Two More Photos from The Zane Cronje Benefit Concert

Don Wright

Ken McCarthy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And who said that? Louis Armstrong!

TTFN

Geoff

2011-02-23T23:50:00.000-08:00

You have to get it right, Don Wright!

Good Morning Jazz Fans,

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

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

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

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

Geoff C

2011-02-19T01:57:00.000-08:00

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

Alan wrote;-

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

2011-02-18T09:51:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, to Zane.

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

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

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

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

TTFN

Geoff

2011-02-09T01:51:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

John Coverdale on guitar

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

Martin Hart on drums,

And on the keyboard this week, Ken McCarthy.

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

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

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

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

So, don’t miss this Thursday!

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

Clive Burton, trombone,

Stuart Henderson, trumpet,

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

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

Ken Rankine on bass,

Martin Hart on drums,

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

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

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

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

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

Zane

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

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

2011-02-01T02:08:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

Do keep him in your thoughts.

Geoff

2011-01-28T02:09:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

TTFN

Geoff

2011-01-27T03:59:00.000-08:00

A few reminders for all you jazz fans out there.

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

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

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

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

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

2011-01-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

A Benefit Night for Zane Cronje

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

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

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

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

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

Geoff C

2011-01-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

JAZZ AT HEDSOR

and on the BBC

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

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

From: bbc_complaints_website@bbc.co.uk

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

To: Geoffrey Cronin

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

Dear Mr Cronin

Reference CAS-526879

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for taking the time to contact us.

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

Kind Regards

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

My Reply

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

G Cronin"

Recent Live Jazz

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

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

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

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

Geoff C

2011-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

Not Good News

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

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

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

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

Geoff C

2011-01-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight is Jazz at Hedsor night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011-01-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And what did I get? OPERA!

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

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

Spread the word!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010-12-24T02:41:00.000-08:00

The Hedsor Jazz Christmas Party 2010

Wow!

First of all, thank you audience for turning out. It was great to see so many of you there, and I hope we see many more of you again. Thanks to all who got the hall ready beforehand, and thanks to all of you who provided food on the night. And you were a great audience, which allowed us to pay our way and provide an evening of great jazz entertainment.

One of our regular attenders asked me “How are you going to write that up in your blog?” And I think “Wow” is how. “Entertainment” is another good word to describe the evening.

Tracey Mendham can hardly go without a mention. A BIG PERSONALTY lady, who played with a wonderful deep rich tone to her tenor saxophone. She also sang (Let it Snow?After the last week?), and danced, out staged Clive (which takes a lot of doing!), and altogether acted like a female Father Christmas personality in the Ho Ho Ho role!! I know that after the Marlow Jazz Festival, where she first met Clive, she really wanted to come and play our party, and we are indebted to her for her 140 mile round trip to do so.

Max Brittain was another of our star guests. He really is a lovely guitarist, who can swing and excite, and play the musical humorist as well. He lives a lot nearer to us than Tracey, but thanks again Max for supporting our Hedsor Jazz venture.

A special mention for a dep rather than a guest. Malcolm Cliff on keyboards was replacing a very unwell Zane, who was there in the audience but who is clearly unwell. We all wish Zane a speedy recovery. It has already taken too long. Malcolm managed to string so many musical “quotes” together I was asked at the end how we could possibly provide a list of the tunes played for the Performing Rights Society! He added to the attack of the ensemble with true jazz panache.

The regular lads in the band, well, we know they are good. They just proved it again!

We were fortunate that, possibly due to the article in the Maidenhead Advertiser, we had a number of new faces at Hedsor last night. The ones I spoke to were amazed at the level of professionalism and class that we have in our regular band. We have know how good they were for years, I am so glad that others are beginning to find out too.

I’ll just leave you with a few of the photos and say thank you, one and all, performers and fans alike, for your company during the last year, and look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year, with our Hedsor Jazz starting on January 6^th.

Happy Christmas to you all.

2010-12-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

A Winters Blog

A few brief words of blog, something to keep you amused during the snowbound weekend!!

If you can still get out, TONIGHT, we have at The Hedsor Social Club that terrific trumpet man Stuart Henderson coming to play alongside Clive. I am assured that our usual rhythm section will be in attendance, so it should be a great night. All for our usual £5 admittance charge.

Next week, our bumper Christmas Party, all for £10 a ticket, kicks off at 8PM on Thursday 23rd December and will have as special guests lady saxophonist Tracey Mendham. With her and equally special (but distinctly no lady!) guitarist Max Brittain, and on trumpet an humour (ditto remarks) John Slater. A light buffet will be provided, and there will be raffle prizes to be won as well. Come and celebrate the approach of Christmas with us and with Hedsor Jazz.

Now for a couple of CD reviews for you late shoppers.

First, recently celebrated by the BBC was Dave Brubeck. His 90^th birthday prompted not only a TV program, but a request on a recent Saturdays Jazz Record Requests. The track “The Way You Look Tonight” prompted me to pull out my copy of the “Jazz at Oberlan” CD and play it all the way through. Recorded in 1953 it certainly isn’t a new recording, but if you don’t have it already, and think that his Quartet started with “Take Five” and Jo Morrello go and buy it now! On this early recording you can hear his multi rhythmic approach, and his “modern” orchestral influence to jazz (he was a student and good friend of French composer Darius Milhaud). It’s exciting and absorbing. The fact that he went on to become world famous would not have influenced all who bought the LP in 1953, and it should encourage you to get it into your collection soon. Concord Record Company “Original Jazz Classic” 0888072319912. Which isn’t a pin code!

The second more recent album which excited me this week was possibly the last one by John Bunch. John died in March 2010 but recorded “Do Not Disturb” in December 2009. It’s in trio form, with excellent guitar from Frank Vignola, and with John Webber on bass. It’s superbly recorded on the Arbors Jazz label (all good stuff on that label!), and has some terrific tracks on it. “Doxy”, “Anthropology”, “Come Sunday” to name but 3. John doesn’t hog the limelight, and the solos from both the other players are first class. One could almost think it was a CD under the name of Frank Vignola or John Webber! Its CD number is ARCD 19403.

One final plea, both “commercials”! At the Marlow Jazz Festival we had a display by Westmount Music. They had been in business for just 4 weeks at the time of the festival. I now have a new flyer from them, and it is attached.

Also, on of my “children” has a close friend who for a fee would like to offer guitar tuition. His details are attached as well.

2010-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

I hadn't realized how long it had been since my last blog entry, but life has been a bit busy. First off was "The Interview" with the Maidenhead Advertiser, which was written up very well by John Balson and gives Hedsor Jazz a little more "exposure". Mind you, maybe with the current cold weather, we don't really need too much overexposure!

I hope you can read the above extract from The Maid Ad. Try saving and pasting into Word, then double click on it and it will enlarge via Internet Explorer.

The next thing to suggest is that you come to our Christmas Party. £10 entrance for a wonderful array of musicians. I'm sure it will be a great deal of fun. But it will be more fun with you there too!

Just to drive the point home, I'm reproducing below the text of my nag this week:-

Our last three gigs of the year are coming up at Hedsor, and each of them has a “special guest” feel to it. SO do come along and join in our festive triple whammy!!

This Thursday December 9th the special guests will be John Coverdale on guitar, and Alan Berry on keyboard. Mike Wills is not with us, and Zane is still in recovery mode, although much better than he was.

The following Thursday, December 16th the guest will be trumpeter Stuart Henderson. Mike Will will still not be with us, hopefully Zane will be.

The following week is our Christmas Party. PLEASE buy a ticket for this event. Your £10 will bring you a small buffet and a great party. So far coming to join the full Clive Burton Quintet are Trumpet man and comedian John Slater, Essex Girl and wonderful saxophonist Tracey Mendham, and that wonderful star guitarist Max Brittain. All that talent for just £10, we must be mad!

So, with 3 weeks of excellent music waiting for you at The Hedsor Social Club, why are you waiting? Come on out, and help to keep live jazz ALIVE.

You might like to see the poster for the party, so here it is:-

Same graphical rules apply as for the poster!!

So, almost another year in Jazz Land has past bye. I hope to add a few suggestions to your Christmas Jazz CD list in the next day or so, but for now.......

Geoff C

2010-11-17T02:23:00.000-08:00

Time for another proper blog.

Christmas is coming, so you might need to think of what will go in your Christmas stockings (apart the legs of course!). So I thought a couple of CD reviews might be helpful. Don’t forget you can always look back on previous blogs to read up on CD’s you haven’t already rushed out to buy. Be aware however, that old reviews do not remain tied to the VAT rate applicable at the time of the review!

But in time honoured fashion a bit of more local advertising. Coming soon to a Hedsor Social Club near you, just in time for Christmas on December 23^rd, we have our Christmas Party. We hope to have a number of special guests playing with the full Clive Burton Quintet, our special mention this year is a young lady from Essex who plays a pretty good range of saxophones. Tracey Mendham did a tremendous job at The Marlow Jazz Festival (of recent memory) during both the Mainstream Session and the Jam Session. She is a bubbly personality, and will be great fun to have for Christmas! Tickets are on sale at £10 each, and a buffet will be available in the interval. The start time will be 8 pm, so that we can cram as much music in to the evening as possible.

OK, commercial over, now to CD’s

A tune often played by The Clive Burton Quintet is called “Black Nightgown”. It is taken from the score of the film “I want to live” made in 1958, which told the story of Barbara Graham, who was executed in America for murder. The entire film score is available on CD. Written by Johnny Mandel it is a great jazz score, with a “Jazz Combo” (it says on the tin) featuring Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Manne, Art Farmer, Bud Shank, and Red Mitchell. The orchestral bits also have a really talented jazz orchestra as well. There are 16 tracks of film music relating to scenes in the film, and 5 tracks with the combo, including “Black Nightgown”. Well recommended, it’s on MGM RCD 10743. It also has some interactive PC readable content.

The second CD is in fact a double album featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra. This is led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who has written the “Vitoria Suite”, an exploration of indigenous Basque music and Spanish Flamenco and features guitarist Paco De Lucia. It is an excellent piece of writing for jazz orchestra, with an Ellingtonian feel to it, but in my view, it’s a bit on the long side. One CD and 6 “movements” would be very acceptable, but 12 “movements” are a bit indigestible. Having said that, do have a listen, because the music sound is superb. It’s on the Emarcy label and is a recent release.

Well that’s it for now, TTFN

Geoff

2010-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Another of my photos from the Marlow Jazz Festival. From the Jam Session

And this is the one I had waited to get for about 3 years.
Vasilis and Simon together for the first time.

Whilst mentioning gigs other than Clive's, as I usually do (and don't forget that he will be playing with the Quintet at Hedsor on Thursday!), above is a mention for another band that contains other notable musicians. You may live nearer to it than I do, which will help you in your journey!

Don't forget, that wherever you live, if you are a jazz fan, you cannot do it by just buying recorded music, you have to go to see it live. That way the musicians eat too.

TTFN

Geoff C

2010-10-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

It’s one of life's little facts that there is live jazz at the Bourne End Community Centre bar every first Tuesday of the month.

It is also another little fact that you cannot find out who is on unless a) you were there the month before or b) you walk past a Bourne End Shop!!

So this Tuesday is a jazz night. And I can tell you that this Tuesday it will be Al Nicholls on tenor sax, supported by Rex Bennett – drums, Bob Haddrell – keys, Nils Solberg – guitar.

A very nice ensemble that can be heard from 8.30 pm onwards for £5 entry. Don't forget that this price not only includes a raffle ticket, but an evening snack too!!

You also know (if you heard my remarks at the close of the Marlow Jazz Festival) that in order to keep live jazz alive, it needs an audience!!

So, if you go to the Tuesday gig, you must also bear in mind that on Thursday, at The Hedsor social Club, you have the regular Clive Burton Quintet, and Clive is one who has done more than most to keep live jazz alive in our area by playing it here for over 10 years.

TTFN, and have a dreadful Halloween!!

Geoff C

2010-10-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

The Marlow Jazz Festival

Well!

We have all now had a couple of days to recover, and digest Saturdays Marlow Jazz Festival. I thought I would share with you all some of my thoughts about it.

It had been in the planning for about 9 months, and as a musical event I thought it went pretty well. Although walking about the various parts of the hotel for most of the morning and a large chunk of the afternoon meant that I couldn’t spend much time listening to everyone, I enjoyed all that I heard, and thought it was all to an incredibly high standard.

As I said in my program notes, we are fortunate in our area to be able to hear most of the bands that played on Saturday fairly frequently, and it does spoil us. The quality of the product is superb. Saturday was indeed a celebration of quality jazz, and I have read a number of feedback forms that support that view. We are going to hold a post mortem very soon to establish what we learnt from the experience, and what we might like to repeat of leave out next time, if there is a next time!! (that could be your choice).

But it was a great day out of jazz. I think every musician playing raised there game for the event. Dare I go through individually, probably not! But I will for just one or two!

I loved John Brooks Fedora! And they did sound good as a band in that bar. They looked and fitted the part!

Jez Cook and his violinist friend who played with Celebration Swing were wonderful and to have the violin there was an unexpected bonus.

Mike Will’s clarinet sound for the Benny Goodman Set was stunningly good. Alan Grahame on vibes was as good as you could get too.

It was interesting to hear Lynn Garner and Brad Lang doing tunes I had only heard her do before with a piano accompaniment. On occasions it took me a few bars to realise they were the same sometimes.

Simon Spillett with his own band were just like the CD’s, Fast Hard bop! Great musicianship.

Tracey Mendham with the Mainstream set was, and is, a great sound and a great personality and, just as I predicted in the program notes, even though they had not played together as a band before, they were all so good it DID work.

The Vasilis’s Xtet with Michael L. Roberts set was remarkable. Exciting, tight, harmonic, and left everyone wanting some more of their perfection.

And the Jam session was everything I could have wished for. It was a shame it had to stop. You will read below why!

I didn’t hear enough of the BBO to really comment, but they seemed to have an audience wanting more.

I didn’t get to hear any of Swing 42 at all so, sorry chaps, but being in two places at once is just schizophrenic! I was beginning to need to sit down in one place for a bit!

Simon Spillett took his Mum and Dad down to see them after his set, because his parents didn’t believe that Clive Burton ever played Trad!!

It could have gone on all night as far as I was concerned, but Simon had to leave for Leyland in Lancashire (a 4 hour drive) to do a gig in Manchester Sunday lunchtime!

I thought both Clives did a remarkable job as compere’s, and I also thought the Green Room a great place for the musicians to all mix, some meeting others for the first time, and some catching up on old friendships. As musical director it was a privilege to go in and be a part of that.

It was really good to have Vasilis and Simon play together for the first time. They got on so well that I think it might happen again. Part way through the Jam Session, it was great to see them shake hands after a pretty fast set of exchanges.

So, I think all in all, smiling faces all round.

BUT there was an area of exception. The hotel were very generous in letting us have their facilities for free. It couldn’t have happened at all without their help and I am very grateful to them for their generosity, but without exception EVERYONE I spoke to moaned about the prices! Sorry, we will try to do better if you want a next time.

I found out the hard way how big the hotel was, but I really did enjoy my day with all the friends I had there. Some of the photos are attached, I will try and get more available soon.

One final comment. The Flying Pigs had never organised a Jazz event before. I thought they did incredibly well, so a big THANK YOU to Helen and her staff.

2010-10-21T01:37:00.000-07:00

A few lines today for a special mention about The Marlow Jazz Festival.

This takes place on Saturday 23rd at Marlow's Crowne Plaza Hotel, and it is in aid of a very special cause. All of our ticket money of £20 per ticket is going to Cancer Research UK. We have a terrific line up of jazz talent, and the music starts at 11 am. There are still some places on the guitar and saxophone master classes so if you are a player why not sign up? These come at no additional cost to your entry fee to the festival.

For the talent on display, the price is a bargain, so come and cheer your cut selves up by spending the day with affable jazz friends, and with wonderful jazz music.

See you there.

Geoff C

2010-10-11T02:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We have two weeks of extra jazz to look forward to.

Obviously, (it MUST be obvious by NOW), we have the Marlow Jazz Festival on October 23^rd, the biggest jazz event I have ever been associated with producing.

But also as a run up THIS week, we have 3 special events involving some of our stars for the jazz festival.

Starting Tomorrow night (Tuesday 12^th ) at The Marlow Jazz Club, held in Marlow’s British Legion Hall, we have the Clive Burton All-Stars. With Clive on Trombone are Al Nicholls on Tenor Sax, Max Brittain on Guitar, Frank Toms Piano, Adam King on Bass and Dennis Smith on Drums. Entry is £7, and it starts at 8.30pm.

Then on Wednesday 13^th, at The King William pub in Speen, Alan Barnes is playing alongside the Martin Hart Trio. With Martin on drums will be Ken McCarthy on Piano, and John Monney on Bass. The Pubs web site tells me that Alan Graham will also be there on vibs, and that entry is £15, which includes starter and a main course. See http://www.thekingwilliamivspeen.co.uk/events/index.html for more info.

Then on Saturday 16^th Martin and the ensemble are playing the Woodley Theatre, see http://www.woodleytheatre.org/ for more details.

We do have Martin, and Alan Graham and Max Brittain coming to The Marlow Jazz Festival, and you can still book a guitar masterclass with Max by contacting Helen Rathbone, FLYING PIGS MARKETING, Tele: 07912 696658, email theflyingpigs1@aol.com website www.flyingpigsmarketing.co.uk

Don’t forget, that all your ticket money (£20) for the Marlow Jazz Festival is going to Cancer Research UK. Tickets for the festival can be obtained from Helen Rathbone.

In addition to the Max Brittain master-class, we do have another guitar masterclass run by Nigel Price, and two saxophone master-classes run by Simon Spillett and Vasilis Xenopoulos. There is NO additional fee for the master-classes, just buy a ticket for the festival.

Times for the masterclasses are

Max Brittain 11.30 am

Nigel Price 1.00 pm

Simon Spillett 2.30 pm

Vasilis Xenopoulos 4.00 pm

Each session will last about 1 hour each. Book when booking your ticket.

More info will follow about the jazz festival in the next few days, so stay glued to this blog!

TTFN

Geoff C

2010-10-06T02:27:00.000-07:00

Some CD's Reviewed

As promised in the last edition, a couple of CD buys for you to hunt down. I say “hunt down” because according to some reading I did recently, apparently there are only 32 independent record shops left in the UK. OK, you do still have the big chains, but even they are shrinking as we purchase more and more of our listening material from the net. And some sites even let you preview the music before you buy. So, a good thing maybe. You don’t have to go out in the rain to purchase, you don’t have to wait until Saturday either. But you do miss the opportunity to talk with the shop owner, who may well have a greater understanding of the genre of music you are interested in, and will be able to advise you on someone you don’t know, but he thinks you will enjoy. I haven’t forgotten the record shop in the Chiswick High Road that sold second hand as well as new, and purchased them back (at a slight loss to yourself of course) if you didn’t get on with the latest purchase. I well remember, in the days when I was buying Ken Collier on 78’s, being “told” by the proprietor to listen to a recording by the “Lighthouse All Stars”. Definitely new experiences to explore!

So, what have I got out today? Both were published 2 to 4 years ago, but I would expect them to still be around.

First a compilation of Blue Note Records called “Sharp Shades and Fingersnaps” of music mostly recorded in the 1960’s. Tunes that if you come to Hedsor, are sometimes played there by our own Allstars, “Sister Sadie”, “Nite Flite”, “The African Queen”, for example. This is a double album containing the original recordings of some of modern jazz’s “second generation” fathers. Lee Morgan (now didn’t he get shot by his girlfriend, or even wife?), Art Blakey, Horace Silver. Tunes that did become popular (Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” for example, as well as said “ Sister Sadie”). Not only is the music reproduced, but the excellent booklet contains miniature versions of the original LP album artwork. So, go looking for BlueNote (on EMI now), 00946-355221-2-9. I am again made to think that they really do want to get you to buy, by the slip of a digit, “The Best of Victor Sylvester”. OR is that really BlueNote’s telephone number?

The second album is on the Candid label, and is by Stacey Kent. I haven’t always been a fan of hers, but this album “The Boy Next Door” is a beautifully recorded and executed reminiscence of the songs that brought her to singing. As the sleeve says “songs associated with some of Stacey’s musical heroes, from Tony Bennett to Paul Simon”. As well as her English husband, saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, the band also includes David Newton on piano and Colin Oxley on guitar. The songs are well known, and we will all have heard different (the original) versions. “The Best is Yet to Come”, “Too Darn Hot”, “People Will Say We’re In Love” and similar. These new versions are beautifully sung and worth buy for that reason alone, but it really is a worthwhile purchase for another reason as well, it will do very well to demonstrate your Hi Fi. Playing it on your car CD player (as I did to start with) does it no favours at all, because it is a terrific recording. Candid CCD 79993.

Don't forget that Live Jazz is STILL a must. Thursday's at Hedsor is always a joy (don't believe me? Ask the audience!).

And there is a chance for pure indulgance on October 23rd, when we are holding our Marlow Jazz Festival in that towns Crowne Plaza hotel. 12 hours of top quality music, and all for £20, which is all going to Cancer Research UK anyway. Tickets are still available fro me at Hedsor, or from Helen Rathbone on 07515 287823

2010-10-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

More about The Marlow Jazz Festival

I have been asked to give out the times of the master classes that are associated with our Jazz Festival at The Marlow Crowne Plaza Hotel on October 23^rd.

Now that is soon going to be here, so have you got YOUR ticket yet?

We are running 4, 1 hour masterclasses, which if you wish to be part of will cost you nothing in addition to your ticket price!

11.30 am – 12.30 pm Guitar with Max Brittain

1.00 pm – 2.00 pm Guitar with Nigel Price

2.30pm – 3.30 pm Saxophone with Simon Spillett

4. 00 pm – 5.00 pm Saxophone with Vasilis Xenopoulos

There is room for 20 pupils at each session. Please bring a music stand as well as your instrument!

Tickets are £20 each (all of which is going to Cancer Research UK) and can be obtained from:-

Helen Rathbone

FLYING PIGS MARKETING

Tele: 07912 696658

theflyingpigs1@aol.com

www.flyingpigsmarketing.co.uk

Please note, that at the time of writing there is a glitch with this web address. If you use Google Chrome as your web browser, you will only get the old site, with no information about the jazz festival at all. If you use Internet Explorer, or Mozilla Firefox you will get the new website, with access to info re the jazz festival through the logo!

A Special Note for Keyboard players coming to play at the Festival.

NO PIANO is available at the hotel. The lift is too small to enable one to be imported up to the concert room!! So we are asking you ALL to bring your own electric keyboards. We will supply the electricity at no extra charge!

Jazz at The Hedsor Social Club

This week (October 7th) we will have a line-up consisting of:-

Clive Burton Trombone

Mark Aston Tenor Sax

John Monney Bass

Zane Cronje Keyboard

Mike Jeffries Drums

£5 entry, 8.30 pm music start time, door open at 7 pm.

It is always good to see new faces, and if you feel like coming, we are a friendly bunch, and we will try to make you feel at home.

That's it for now, I hope to write some CD's reviews before the week is out.