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wanted

Bass player and trumpet player required for The Allen Francis Big Band

Come along and spend an evening with us to see if you like what we play. Call Allen on 01384 296541 or 07973 118302 or email
allenfcook@blueyonder.co.uk


JUNE ’10 FEATURES

All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world:

MUSIC AT THE GARDENS

Botanical Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful open-air venues in the region. The curving Main Lawn creates a natural amphitheatre with the Victorian Bandstand at its focus where this summer some exciting performances will set feet tapping.

Throughout the summer there is music on the Bandstand from 2pm every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday – jazz, swing, brass – June 13th Swing Museum, spirited violin and guitar led quartet, Sunday 20th June Kel Elliot, singer and double base player leads her own quartet. Music for everyone, for those who just like to relax and listen or for those who want to explore the 15 acres of glorious landscaped gardens.

On Sunday 20 June Gary Allcock and his ‘All Star’ Big Band offer their tribute to the big band sounds of inter war years, most notably the music of Glenn Miller. On Sunday 18 July Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival presents a very special exclusive solo performance by international musician, local boy and star of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, Julian Smith.

For information on tickets and times contact the Gardens on 0121 454 1860 or the web site: www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk


Wavendon
Dame Cleo Laine opens her beautiful Old Rectory Gardens at Wavendon, to host Quality live entertainment, throughout July and August.

visit www.stables.org for details


LATEST GIG UPDATES:

Mark CrooksJazz at St Peter’s

Jazz concerts for Summer evenings at St Peter’s Church, Elford, starting at 7.30pm Thursday 8th July 2010

  • Nick Dawson (Keyboard & Vocals)
  • Mark Crooks (Reeds)
  • Len Skeat (Bass)
  • Sebastian de Kronk (Drums)

Tickets £12 Ticket price includes refreshments. Bar available.

For all enquiries & tickets please phone 01543 263538 Elford is on the A513 mid-way between Alrewas and Tamworth.

Shanti Paul at Stratford

On 20th June Shanti Paul Jayasinha Quintet play Statford Jazz atThe Chapel, 1 Shakespeare Street, (Upstairs Function Room) Stratford-upon-Avon. Admission is £6 on door

Shanti Paul Jayasinha

Shanti Paul Jaysinha (t & fh) Patrick Clahar (ts) John Crawford (p) Andres Lafone (bg) Davide Giovannini (d)
Th band recently released its album Round Trip which is described as a soundscape of world jazz rhythms. The album took four years in the making, a pan-Latin mix of contagious melodies and rhythms ranging from Afro-Peruvian to Islam via the complex carnival rhythms of London's Notting Hill. A night with a difference for Stratford Jazz.

Reviews:
*** (Candid) John Fordham, The Guardian,
Shanti Paul Jayasinha is a bright-toned and nimble trumpeter who enhances various UK world-jazz and crossover bands - notably pianist Alex Wilson's, whose re-examinations of Latin jazz exert an influence here. Jayasinha's melodic fluency and elegance on the brisk shuffle of Joao reveal a strong improvisational personality within a familiar idiom. The brooding Sufi mingles Latin and eastern sounds (though Latin dominates, in the heat-hazy Morricone-like theme), there's an occasionally floaty, Astrud Gilberto-like feel or the clamour of a cut-down Orchestra Baobab, and the title track is a skittery boppish melody over gurgly but funky percussion. It's modest, and plainly recorded, but sounds like talented enthusiasts doing what they love.

Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard,
… a first-class quartet featuring trumpeter Paul Jayasinha and pianist Phil Peskett. Paul Jayasinha, another Candid signing whose debut album, Round Trip, also launches this week, is a fast-improving player whose Afro-Cuban sessions have sharpened his technique. His sparkling trumpet and flugelhorn solos were the highlight of the evening.

Shanti Paul Quintet

New York’s Lincoln Centre
Jazz Orchestra

@ the Symphony Hall with Wynton Marsalis on the 25th June

Wynton Marsalis

New York’s, Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra, fresh from their residency at London’s Barbican Centre, are at Symphony Hall on June 25th, under the leadership of legendary trumpeter and Grammy and Pulitzer award winning, Wynton Marsalis. www.thsh.co.uk


Lichfiel

MORE GIG UPDATES

Kinda Dukish Andy Hamilton

  • There was an error to the Bearwood Corks ad in our magazine this month. Mike Fletcher's Kinda Dukish will be playing on Thursday 24th June and not Andy Hamilton & the Blue Notes as advertised. Andy and the band will in fact be playing on Thursday 17th June.
     
  • Jazz On The WaterJazz On The Water have 2 dates in June which we got just too late to go in the June magazine. They are:
    CORRECTION Richard HEATH (below) on Saturday 12th June CORRECTION(not Richard Leach as previously mentioned - Richard, Gerry & Buzby play raw folk, country, hillbilly and blues. Piano, mandolin, acoustic guitar, bass, harmonica, accordion)
    Ann Duggan on Saturday 19th June
    Jazz on the Water kicks off at 2.30pm from the Gas Street Basin, Birmingham and usually costs £7. For full details ring 0121 236 7057
     
    Richard Heath
     
  • Shanti Paul Jayasinha gig at Stratford on Sunday 20th June - PRESS RELEASE NOW IN FEATURES

Yes, July Listings are up, but if you follow the link you can still get the June Listings and pick up a few choice gigs to draw you away from the wall-to-wall sport on TV at present. Below we've listed a few to whet your appetite:

  • Ralph Allin25th to 27th UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
  • All at the Trumpet:
    Fri 25 Swing Parade
    Sat 26 Steve Pacitto andn the Good Fellas
    Sun 27 Henry Newman Band
    Tue 29 Style Unlimited
    Wed 30 Mike Turner Band
  • Fri June 25 Ralph Allin (right) Trio at Summersault, Rugby
  • Fri June 25 Wynton Marsalis at the Symphony Hall
  • Sat 26 Quiver - Abraham Darby Academy, Madeley 7pm
  • Sun 27 Steve Ajao’s Blues Giants at the Prince Of Wales, B'ham
  • 27th June Edgar Macías & Friends at the Scarlet Pimpernell, Harborne
  • 27 June £6 Interplay Quintet at Stratford Jazz
  • June 28 Dixie Doodlers at the Northfield RBL
  • June 29 The New Orleans Wanderers at Bournville Social Club
  • June 30 Louisiana Joymakers at Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club

...and not forgetting the Mostly Jazz Festival at the start of July

Mostly Jazz Festival
CRAIG CHARLES TO COMPERE MOSTLY JAZZ FESTIVAL IN MOSELEY PARK.

This is a cracking little Jazz Festival with a great line-up featuring some top international talent alongside some of the very best that Birmingham has to offer and Craig Charles presenting. Read all about it in March Features!

 

Upton Jazz Festival

Chancery Cruising Jazz Party at Sea
 


MAY ’10 FEATURES

All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world:

New York’s Lincoln Centre
Jazz Orchestra

@ the Symphony Hall with Wynton Marsalis on the 25th June

Wynton Marsalis

New York’s, Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra, fresh from their residency at London’s Barbican Centre, are at Symphony Hall on June 25th, under the leadership of legendary trumpeter and Grammy and Pulitzer award winning, Wynton Marsalis. www.thsh.co.uk


JUCAMAYA LIVE

Jucamaya

Jucamayaare performing at 8pm on Sunday 6th June at the jazz club at The Carriage House, Market Square, Higham Ferrers NN10 8DJ. It's is a friendly club run by Richard Exhall of Chris Barber band fame.

GRAHAM DENT and JUCAMAYA

  • Graham Dent piano, keyboard
  • Ian Hill tenor and soprano saxophones
  • Richard Baker trombone
  • Tom Bull double bass & bass guitar
  • Steve Laffy drums

Pianist Graham Dent is a well established midlands-based musician, both as a performer and a composer. He has worked extensively accompanying vocalists, and supporting visiting musicians such as Dave O’Higgins and Alan Barnes. Jucamaya, which about 5 years ago grew from the close musical collaboration between Graham and saxophonist Ian Hill, successfully unites Graham’s writing talents with a fine quintet. Jucamaya’s music, ranging from the energetic to the introspective, is fresh, stylish, and in tune with the jazz tradition, mixing originals and standards into memorable live performances. The band has two CDs to its credit, both well received by jazz audiences and the musician community alike. Check out the band at www.jucamaya.com

“Jucamaya’s performance and Graham’s original compositions were like a breath of fresh air” Mill Hill Jazz Club


John Dankworth and Cleo Laine cd

KIRCUDBRIGHT JAZZ FESTIVAL

10th - 13th June

Kirkudbright Parade

Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival In an unspoilt corner of Scotland Only 1 hours drive north of Carlisle, this unique small Scottish picturesque harbour and Artists town” is holding its 13th festival from 10 - 13 June. Experience music to suit all tastes, from trad, ragtime, early swing, New Orleans, Dixieland to Rhythm & Blues and even some Country & Western. Join in the Saturday street Parade and Sunday Jazz Service, there is also opportunities to dine to Jazz in local restaurants.


Dennis Rollins

With an extraordinary blend of Jazz, Blues, Soul, Country and Gospel, TJ Johnson, widlely considered to be one of the UK’s finest Jazz & blues singers, is appearing at Kirkcudbright with his band. His distinctive voice and unique stage performance creates an intimate and exciting atmosphere.


Lichfiel

Orla Murphy’s Debut Album ‘Wishful Thinking’

Peter Quinn writes:

Wishful ThinkingThe first thing that strikes you when listening to this debut album from Belfast-born, London-based Vocalist Orla Murphy is her lustrous timbre. Sounding like the forgotten lovechild of Joni Mitchell and Terry Callier - seamlessly combining the liquid phrasing of the former with the soulful sonorities of the latter - Murphy’s captivating tone really draws the listener into the song. It comes as no surprise when she dusts down Mitchell’s ‘Be Cool’ midway through the set...to the stripped down voice/bass duet ‘The Old Country’, in which Murphy’s great feel and time come strongly to the fore. Also including an intimate cover of Sting’s ‘Fragile’...an impassioned ‘Make Sure You’re Sure’ (one of Stevie Wonder’s standout songs penned for Spike Lee’s, Jungle Fever) with pianist Simon Wallace... This impressive debut should help to put this affecting singer well and truly on the map.

This article was published in JAZZWISE, October 2007. Our thanks to Peter Quinn and to Jazzwise magazine for permission to publish.
www.orlamurphy.com - www.myspace.com/ommurphy

Wigan Jazz Festival

Roving reporter Lewis Clement loves Birmingham Jazz's Rush Hour Blues

Birmingham Jazz’s weekly Rush Hour Blues spot has slowly become the cities most popular jazz event. Set in the impressive modern surroundings of Symphony Hall, Rush Hour Blues offers the best of British jazz every Friday, absolutely free.

Examining the program, May promises to be an exciting month of events. It features local artists such as Sara Coleman and N.O.M.A.D, as well as the more eclectic sounds of Matt Hallsal and Zdinoera African Blues Band. Over the years Rush Hour Blues has build up a loyal and handsome audience that pays the performers the utmost respect. In fact, the silent and generous nature of the audience is one of the things that makes Rush Hour Blues such a special event. The mixture of good acoustics and good sound ensures everything is audible wherever you are sitting. Although the drinks prices seem a bit steep, you are in essence subsidising the music, as you don’t pay to get in. Besides, with Birmingham’s second city syndrome, you are often paying over the odds in the City Centre anyway.

Rush Hour Blues is the ultimate way to escape the bustling Broad Street and start the weekend in style. It runs from 5.30pm onwards every Friday. For more information, see www.birminghamjazz.co.uk


LATEST GIG UPDATES:

  • Jazz ConnectionNOW CLOSING

    Another Jazz club is sadly closing. We have just been sent the following press release by Derek from Jazz Connection at Ryton-on-Dunsmore, near Coventry:

    It is with regret that The Jazz Connection is closing down the last session being on the 12th May 2010 Derek Geoff & Team would like to thank the Sports Connexion and all our loyal supporters of the Jazz Connection over the past 10yrs. Thanks also to all who have helped and contributed to the raffle.
             Regards
                                    Derek
                                                       Jazz Connection

     

  • Thursday 27th May:

    • Time Enough - Bearwood Corks
    • Martinique - Burton Jazz Club
    • Zenith Hot Stompers - Swan, Chaddesley Corbett
    • Trevor Emeny - The Trumpet, Bilston
    • Jazz in The Braz - The Brasserie, Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa
    • Ivory & Gold, Jeff & Anne Barnhart - George Huxley's Jazz Club

    Friday 28th May:

    • Andy Davey Quartet - Summersault

    Saturday 29th May:

    • Bank Street Syncopators - The Trumpet
    • Andy Hamilton & Blue Notes - Symphony Hall

    Sunday 30th May:

    • Graeme Hamilton, Edgar Macías etc - Scarlett Pimpernell
    • JB Jazz & Blues - Harp, Albrighton
    • Ben Holder Band - The Trumpet
    • Corridors - Prince Of Wales, Brum
    • John Everett's Jazzmen - Stafford Jazz Soc
    • Terry Beano & Dixieland 5 - Westwood Club, Cov

    Monday 31st May:

    • Red Dragon - Northfield RBL
    • Maz Mitrenko - Prince of Wales, Brum

    Yes, the May Listings are now up, but you can still pick up the March listings and find late in the month gigs like the Steve King Big Band at Bearwood Corks or Warren Vache at the Friends Of Upton Jazz Festival, both on Thursday 29th April.


Upton Jazz Festival

Chancery Cruising Jazz Party at Sea
 


APRIL ’10 FEATURES

All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world:

UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL

Upton 25th - 27 June

Bourbon Street Stompers

The annual jazz spectacular at Upton-upon-Severn reaches its 25th anniversary in 2010 with a programme of over fifty bands appearing during the weekend. With a mix of styles to suit all tastes including New Orleans, Dixieland, Traditional, Swing, Jump Jive, Boogie, Mainstream, Modern and ‘Hot Club’ festival goers will be spoilt for choice in the ten venues. In addition the festival will host a dedicated venue for the 2nd year of The Best of Young Jazz, an initiative that proved extremely popular in 2009 providing an opportunity for many talented young musicians to receive professional tuition and for school and youth bands to perform at the festival.

The festival features winners of British Jazz awards 2009:

  • Clare Martin, Vocals.
    Claire Martin
  • Karan Sharp, Tenor Sax.
    Karen Sharp
  • Mark Nightingale, Trombone.
    Mark Nightingale
  • Amy Roberts, Rising Star
    Amy Roberts

Dennis Rollins is

Appearing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms
on Friday 16 April, 7.30pm

Dennis Rollins

Dennis Rollins continues to electrify audiences wherever he performs and enjoys a high profile as a regular member of legendary Maceo Parker’s band. This is a classy, high-energy and engaging act along the lines of friend and colleague Courtney Pine with whom he toured for several years.

Lichfiel

There's a tribute to Mike Turner & Ashley Middleton at The Trumpet, Bilston. Sunday April 25th. It's full day of music, with special guest appearances throughout the day, from Bruce Adams, Roy Williams, Ben Holder, John Smith, Gary Bell and mny others.

  • 1-3.15 House Band
  • 3.30 - 5.45 Swing Parade
  • 6 - 7.15 Mike Turner Band
  • 7.30 - 8.00 Reg & Friends
  • 8.45 - 11 Henry Newman Band

REMEMBERING SAM WALLER

26/08/1942 - 11/03/2010

In one of the stars, I shall be living.
In one of them, I shall be laughing.
And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing
when you look at the sky at night.
The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Sam Waller with Esther Miller

Sam Waller, who died peacefully on Thursday the 11th of March, was a quiet, unassuming man with a ready smile. He was the sweetest, kindest man imaginable who never had a bad word to say about anyone.

He was well known and liked amongst the jazz and folk fraternity in Birmingham and for the last few years ran a successful music venue on his Barge which I have performed on and attended as part of the audience.

I’m sure that most of the Birmingham audiences would have attended those events at some time and experienced his down to earth and friendly hospitality. When I performed my first gigs at the Fiddle and Bone in 2001 Sam Waller was first in line to purchase one of my cd’s. Since that night, he had become a true and loyal friend and fan and I shall miss him terribly.

He was born on the 26th Aug 1942 and is survived by his brother Andrew, sister-in-law Shirley and their children, Robert and Helen. Rest in Peace Sam, you were one of a kind.

Esther Miller

Wigan Jazz Festival

Our roving reporter Lewis Clements Visits The Actress & Bishop

Actress nd Bishop

Located just off the picturesque St. Paul’s Square, the Actress and Bishop is one of Birmingham’s most popular music venues. As well as putting on an armada of rock and pop bands, it also features live jazz and blues every Sunday.

The music tends to be local musicians playing a mixed repertoire of standards, rhythm ‘n’ blues and even some old pop songs. However, what makes the Actress special is the friendly environment and relaxed atmosphere. Boasting a healthy selection of real ale and quality pub food, the Actress is perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the hectic city centre, just down the road.

Although you might not find the cutting edge of jazz here, the Actress offers a light hearted aura with top local musicians catering to the audiences needs. Definitely recommended for a spot of Sunday dinner and a reasonably priced pint.


Roving reporter Lewis Clement loves Birmingham Jazz's Rush Hour Blues

Birmingham Jazz’s weekly Rush Hour Blues spot has slowly become the cities most popular jazz event. Set in the impressive modern surroundings of Symphony Hall, Rush Hour Blues offers the best of British jazz every Friday, absolutely free.

Examining the program, May promises to be an exciting month of events. It features local artists such as Sara Coleman and N.O.M.A.D, as well as the more eclectic sounds of Matt Hallsal and Zdinoera African Blues Band. Over the years Rush Hour Blues has build up a loyal and handsome audience that pays the performers the utmost respect. In fact, the silent and generous nature of the audience is one of the things that makes Rush Hour Blues such a special event. The mixture of good acoustics and good sound ensures everything is audible wherever you are sitting. Although the drinks prices seem a bit steep, you are in essence subsidising the music, as you don’t pay to get in. Besides, with Birmingham’s second city syndrome, you are often paying over the odds in the City Centre anyway.

Rush Hour Blues is the ultimate way to escape the bustling Broad Street and start the weekend in style. It runs from 5.30pm onwards every Friday. For more information, see www.birminghamjazz.co.uk


LATEST GIG UPDATES:

  • AMMENDMENT FROM MAGAZINE:
    The Four Oaks Big Band concert at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on Friday 16th April is advertised as £8 admission in the Magazine. The correct price is £9. The Four Oaks' featured vocalist is Gavin Davies and the concert also features the Dixie Blowband. Starts at 8pm.
     
    Tina May album

  • Jazz at St Peter’s -
    Jazz concerts for Summer evenings at St Peter’s Church, Elford, starting at 7.30pm, Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Tickets £12
     
    Tina May (Vocals)
    Phil Phillips (Keyboard)
    Colin Oxley (Guitar)
    Len Skeat (Bass)
     
    For all enquiries & tickets please phone 01543 263538,
    01543 251208 or 01283 762120 Elford is on the A513 mid-way between Alrewas and Tamworth.


Upton Jazz Festival

Chancery Cruising Jazz Party at Sea
 

MARCH ’10 FEATURES

All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world:

SHARING A SWINGING LEGACY

DeMontfort Hall Leicester May 14 and
The Stables, Wavendon, May19

Jan & Ray Jnr.
Jan and Ray Eberle

‘Sharing a legacy - a second generation of Swing’ is a 2-hour treat featuring Jan and Ray Jnr, who are visiting the UK with their Eberle Orchestra, and will perform many of the tunes their father made famous with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The Big Band sound will be fused with rare footage, photos and personal stories of their famous father. Only two shows in the UK! An event not to be missed by Big Band lovers.


CRAIG CHARLES TO COMPERE THE MOSTLY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Craig Charles
BBC funk and soul DJ Craig Charles will be getting involved and compering The Mostly Jazz Festival on the 3rd July 2010 in Birmingham’s Moseley Park.

Famous for presenting Robot Wars and roles on Red Dwarf and Coronation Street, Craig Charles has become known as a champion of all things funk and soul after getting his own radio show on BBC 6 Music in 2002.

Inspired by Craig’s UK Fantasy Funk Band feature, The Mostly Jazz Festival invited the presenter to attend the brand new event and put his enthusiasm to good use introducing the likes of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, James Taylor Quartet and Polar Bear.

In alignment with Craig, the festival has a passion for uncovering fresh new talent. The second stage will feature Lizzy Parks, The Fantastics!, Nick Pride & The Pimptones, The Getup and Groove Cartel, many of which have featured on the DJ’s BBC 6 Music radio show.

Craig will also be kicking off the after party with a session from his renowned record collection, which will draw the festival vibe on into the small hours of the night.

Craig Charles said:
‘I’m really looking forward to this – The Fantastics! & the Mr James Taylor Quartet – it’s going to be double groovy. Bring on the sunshine and get those sunglasses ready.’

Tickets are now on sale. Adult day tickets cost £28.50+b/fee and weekend tickets cost £48.50+b/fee.

For more information about The Mostly Jazz Festival and the full line-up please visit www.mostlyjazz.co.uk. For further details contact Charlotte on 07512 378 818 or charlotte@mostlyjazz.co.uk or Carl on 07973764023


Sir JOHN DANKWORTH

Jazz composer, bandleader
and saxophonist

Johnny Dankworth

Sir John Dankworth, who died on February 6 aged 82, was a pioneer of modern jazz in Britain, a leading composer of film music. While he had once been seen as Britain’s answer to Charlie Parker, Dankworth came to think of himself as a composer rather than a soloist. A stylish alto saxophonist, he was a pioneer of the domestic modern jazz movement in the Fifties before establishing himself as a writer of film scores.

The theme tunes to The Avengers and Weekend World are two of many. The name Johnny Dankworth came to stand as an enduring symbol of British jazz in the eyes of the general public. Despite ill-health, he continued to perform in his twilight years. Viewers of Jools Holland’s Later programme witnessed a feisty studio performance from British jazz’s first couple last year, and at the London Jazz Festival concert at the Festival Hall, Dankworth gave a spirited display from a wheelchair.

He and his wife Cleo Laine, were champions of musical education and launched a
cultural programme based at their home at Wavendon, “The Stables” dedicated to bringing together musicians of all styles and cultures. Among the activities which he inaugurated in recent years were informal chats about music by him and an invited guest or two. He was appointed CBE in 1974 and received a knighthood in the 2006 New Year Honours. He is survived by Dame Cleo Laine and their two children, the double-bassist Alec Dankworth and the singer and actress Jacqui Dankworth.

In Remembrance of Sir John Dankworth

“Some weeks ago I visited John Dankworth as he was very keen to discuss artwork ideas for his new CD. I had been working for John and Cleo’s record label Qnote for a couple of years and determination and attention to detail from John was something I had often witnessed. These character traits, along with musical genius must have contributed to his long and prolific career as both composer and performer.

As I left the hospital room John was opening his laptop to make some adjustments to a few charts – I think he lived and breathed music right to the end.”

Sara Colman


GIG UPDATES:

Patsy Fuller
  • Saturdays @ New Life Baptist Church, Kings Heath,
    They have started holding free monthly Saturday Evenings Concerts at New Life Baptist Church, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ. They are not always jazz but on the 13 March 2010 Patsy Fuller (above) is performing. Doors open at 7.00 pm and there are refreshments. A retiring offering will be available.
     
  • Steve GibbonsKidderminster Library:
    Fri 19th March, Kern/Porter night - Devon Harrision and Cormac Loane with the Simon Deeley Trio
    7.30 pm £7/£6 01562 824500
     
  • Scarlett Pimpernel, Harbourne in the round room on Saturday 13th March,  Steve Gibbons Band (right)

Andy Hamilton’s 92nd Birthday

  • Thursday 25th March at Bearwood Corks Club it's one of the gigs of the year. Andy Hamilton's 92nd Birthday Party with special guest Art Themen. It will be wall to wall music, with Andy's band, The Blue Notes, plus the Tony Richards Trio
    www.bearwoodjazz.co.uk- 0121 429 2091
     
  • Jucamaya's Quintet (below) on Thurs 25 March at the Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester University
    Graham Dent keyboard
    Ian Hill tenor & soprano saxophone
    Richard Baker trombone
    Tommy Bull double bass & bass guitar
    Nick Millward drums
    Pianist Graham Dent is a well established midlands-based musician, both as a performer and a composer. He has worked extensively accompanying vocalists, and supporting visiting musicians such as Dave O’Higgins and Alan Barnes. Jucamaya, which about 5 years ago grew from the close musical collaboration between Graham and saxophonist Ian Hill, successfully unites Graham’s writing talents with a fine quintet. Jucamaya’s music, ranging from the energetic to the introspective, is fresh, stylish, and in tune with the jazz tradition, mixing originals and standards into memorable live performances. The band has two CDs to its credit, both well received by jazz audiences and the musician community alike. Check out the band at www.jucamaya.com
    “Jucamaya’s performance was like a breath of fresh air” Mill Hill Jazz Club
Jacamaya Qintet
John Dunmore Jazz
  • Sunday 21st March 3-6pm
    THE JOHN DUNMORE JAZZ BAND (above) IN THE NEW ORLEANS STYLE @ THE CROWN. West Haddon. NN6 7AP

    Ken Pye(tpt) Ron Radford(tbn) Mike Taylor(piano) Rachel Hayward (bjo) Glynn Murray(bass) Spud Speddings (dms)
    FREE Tel. 01788 510381 www.louisianamusic.co.uk
     

    Jazz Connection
  • March 24th £8.00 8.30pm
    New Orleans Heat at Jazz connection, Ryton 0n Dunsmore, Nr Coventry
     
  • Burton Big Band
    Wednesday 7th April - Henhurst Social Club, Burton 8.30 p.m.
     
  • AMMENDMENT FROM MAGAZINE:
    Pete Allen is the International Reeds Star who will be playing at George Huxley's Old Silhillians Jazz Club on Thursday 25th March and not Tim Allen as advertised in the magazine. It's at 8.30pm, £8 on the door, £7 for members.

     Laura Collins
  • Wednesday 3rd March 7.30pm
    Dinner & show bookings
    Casey Greene & Laura Collins (right) Trio
    Casey Greene  - Sax/Flute/Clarinet
    Laura Collins (right) - Voice
    Paul Sawtell  - Piano
    Housmans, Church Stretton SY6 6BX
    Bookings essential 01694 724441
    Elegance and Swing, this trio presents their own interpretation of some of the great Jazz repertoire. A fresh approach  with a virtuoso touch
    www.caseygreene.com
     
  • Friday 5th 8.00pm free
    Casey Greene & Simon King
    Casey Greene  - Sax/Flute/Clarinet
    Simon King  - Guitar
    White Lion , Bridgnorth WV16 4AB 01746763962
    Two Jazz instumentalists  that interweave with musical mastery
    www.caseygreene.com

  • Tom HillSaturday 6th 8.00pm Free
    Tom Hill (right) Jazz Trio
    Tom Hill – Bass/Vocals
    Phil Bond  - Piano/Vocals
    Anna Brooks  - Sax
    The Font, Ironbridge TF87AD 01952432216
    Tom Hill – musician, singer and actor. A master musician with a spice of wit and charm that holds any audience
    www.clarke-hill.com

  • Saturday 13th 8.00pm free
    John Fleming Jazz Quartet
    John Fleming  - Sax
    Andy Bunting  - Piano
    Tim Thorton  - Bass
    Chris Draper  - Drums
    The Font, Ironbridge TF87AD 01952432216
    Birminghams fresh new V-8  turbo-charged Jazz athletes . New faces with new ideas, these guys are in the fast lane soyou had better be quick to catch them .
    www.myspace.com/johnflemingmusic

  • Quiver
    Saturday 27th 8.00pm £6.00 QUIVER
    (above)
    Casey Greene  - Sax/Flute
    Angel  - Vocals
    Andrzej Baranek  - Piano
    Simon King  - Guitar/Timbales
    Tom Hill  - Bass
    Carl Hemmingsley  - Drums
    Eddie McGuire  - Congas
    Latin-Funk-Fusion Band, all original compositions in the style of Weather  Report, Santana and Irekere.
    www.quiver.org.uk

Upton Jazz Festival

SAM BROWN

Sam Brown

Sad news for West Midlands Jazz fans is that the great jazz pianist Sam Brown (photographed above by Russ Escritt) passed away on Monday 25th January in West Bromwich following a long period of illness.

Sam, whose real name was Ron Daley, arrived in England from his home in Jamaica during the 2nd World War and saw service with the RAF, an organisation that he maintained close links with. He eventually settled in Birmingham, where in 1949 he met the newly arrived fellow Jamaican Andy Hamilton.

Sam, known to friends at the time as “Big Boy” was over 6 foot tall with the build of a heavy weight boxer. He was not a regular musician, having just dabbled in playing organ, but he was a regular at dances where his great sense of rhythm and his huge hands caught Hamilton’s eye.

Andy persuaded Sam to take lessons from local musicians and he soon started to play the occasional session at dances and parties with Andy and the gold toothed Willie Rogers. By 1953 Sam had become a regular with Andy. They put together The Blue Notes and started to perform regularly in church and school halls across the city. It was at one of these gigs, at The Good Companions on Coventry Road, that Sam met his future wife Evelyn with whom he had two children.

Sam became Andy’s closest friend as they shared over 50 years of playing music together, Sam leading the rhythm section with his own unique style of playing drawing on Caribbean, gospel and blues influences. During the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s at venues such as St Johns Restaurant and The Tower Ballroom they organised hugely popular dances.

It was Sam Brown who Andy telephoned from his hospital bed in the late 1980’s to sing the melody of Silvershine, a song Hamilton wrote in the 1940’s for Errol Flynn which came back to him in a diabetic coma. Together they arranged the song which was to change their lives.

In 1990 Sam led the rhythm section on the internationally acclaimed debut album Silvershine, which took the band from Sundays at The White Swan in Aston and Accafess to top venues in Paris, Milan and St Lucia. Sam was also a central figure in the residencies at Dirty Betts, The Bear and The Drum where he accompanied some of the worlds greatest jazz musicians along with many complete novices for whom he always had a kind word of encouragement.

It became a regular delight at gigs to open the 2nd set with a “Sam Brown Blues”, starting with a long solo reflecting his mood of the day and almost always ending with a big smile to the audience.

Sam Brown, who was in his late 80’s will be terribly missed by his family and Andy, as well as the church community in West Bromwich where for many years he was warden and organist and the music community of Birmingham which has lost one of the key figures in its post war history.

As Andy often said,

“Nobody can play the Blues like Sam Brown”


Chancery Cruising Jazz Party at Sea
 


FEBRUARY ’10 FEATURES

All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world:

Whitley Bay International
Jazz Festival July 9-11th 2010

David Gazarov

Sadly this will be the very last Whitley Bay Jazz Festival featuring, as always, the very best in classic jazz from Ragtime to Swing. This year, there is a wider geographical coverage than ever before, to illustrate the theme of the worldwide spread of jazz as a musical common language.

The 150 or so musicians present will represent the USA, Japan, Australia, Chile, Hungary, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and the UK. Get your tickets early, its bound to be a sell out


Orla Murphy’s Debut Album ‘Wishful Thinking’

Orla CDPeter Quinn writes:

The first thing that strikes you when listening to this debut album from Belfast-born, London-based Vocalist Orla Murphy is her lustrous timbre. Sounding like the forgotten lovechild of Joni Mitchell and Terry Callier - seamlessly combining the liquid phrasing of the former with the soulful sonorities of the latter - Murphy's captivating tone really draws the listener into the song.

It comes as no surprise when she dusts down Mitchell's 'Be Cool' midway through the set...to the stripped down voice/bass duet 'The Old Country', in which Murphy's great feel and time come strongly to the fore. Also including an intimate cover of Sting's 'Fragile'...an impassioned 'Make Sure You’re Sure' (one of Stevie Wonder's standout songs penned for Spike Lee's, Jungle Fever) with pianist Simon Wallace... This impressive debut should help to put this affecting singer well and truly on the map.

This article was published in JAZZWISE, October 2007.
Our thanks to Peter Quinn and to Jazzwise magazine for permission to publish.

www.orlamurphy.com
www.myspace.com/ommurphy


Upton Jazz Festival


NEW EDITOR

Dear Readers & Advertisers,

After five years of producing JazzWestMids magazine we’ve decided to take a back seat, and we’ve handed over to your new Editor, Stella Draper (tel: 01788 553884).

Stella lives in Rugby, is a keen jazz fan, and she’s determined to develop the magazine. Barry and I want to thank all the friendly, humorous and delightful people we have met and spoken to in the course of the last five years. Please continue to support the magazine, and of course to support live jazz.

With our very best regards,

Linda & Barry


LISTINGS UPDATES:

    • FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY, Kings Heath Cricket Club
      Celebrate Valentines Day with live music and song from swing - rock n roll, performed by David Laine, 8.30pm, dance floor and food available.
       
    • Sat 6th Feb 8.00pm £5.00
      Wendy Austen & Nick Blunn

      Wendy Austen - Vocals
      Nick Blunn - Piano
      Jazz and Popular tunes sung with the crystal voice of Wendy Austen, Wendy and Nick have performed at Ronnie Scotts and many international venues
       
    • Sat 13th Feb 8.00pm free
      Esmond Selwyn and Paul Sawtell

      Esmond has shared the bill at international jazz festivals with Chick Corea, Elvin Jones, Charlie Byrd and has accompanied visiting American stars, Art Farmer, Redd Rodney, Bobby Shew, Al Cohn and Jimmy Whitherspoon
      www.esmondselwyn.com
       
    • Sat 20th 8.00pm free
      Paul Cowley Acoustic Blues Trio

      www.paulcowley.com
      Paul Cowley – guitar/vocals Singer/songwriter, an impressive fingerstyle/slide guitarist, with a laid back often poignant vocal style. Guy Davis said “Your Love Of This Music Shines”
      Tony Stokes – Blues Harp. Widely regarded as one of the best blues harp players in the midlands.
      Mike Hatton – Bass. Over twenty five years as part of Steve Ajaos Blues Giants, numerous collaborations with various high profile jazz/blues artists, band leader of the exciting MJHQ Band.
      A unique fusion of Contemporary,Country & Chicago Blues. Well written songs &vv originally interpreted covers.

 


Greg AbateShakespeare StreetSTRATFORD JAZZ HAVE MOVED

From 29/11 'Stratford Jazz' moved permanently to No.1 Shakespeare Street and will no longer be 'Stratford Jazz at the White Swan'

On the 29th they host Sarah Gillespie, Gilad Atzmon and Ben Bastin. Admission is £8 on door and the show kicks off at 8pm.

www.stratfordjazz.org.uk - www.shakespearestreet.co.uk


Chancery Cruising Jazz Party at Sea