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DEC’11/JAN ’12 FEATURES |
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| All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world: | ||
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Feb-Jun12 - Dec10/Jan11 - Nov11 - Oct11 - Sept11 - Aug-July11 - June11-Feb11 - July10-Jan11 - Feb-June10 - Sep09-Jun10 - Feb-Aug09 - Sep08-Jan09 - Feb-Aug08 - Jul07-Jan08 - Jan-Jun07 - Jul-Dec06 - Jun-Jan06 - Dec-Jul05 - Jun-Feb05
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NOVEMBER ’11 FEATURES |
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| All the latest news, views and developments in the jazz world: | ||
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Feb-Jun12 - Dec10/Jan11 - Nov11 - Oct11 - Sept11 - Aug-July11 - June11-Feb11 - July10-Jan11 - Feb-June10 - Sep09-Jun10 - Feb-Aug09 - Sep08-Jan09 - Feb-Aug08 - Jul07-Jan08 - Jan-Jun07 - Jul-Dec06 - Jun-Jan06 - Dec-Jul05 - Jun-Feb05
 JAZZ MEETS ART......for charity... ...in HerefordAs "demon trumpeter" Ben Cummings raises money for The George Melly Sculpture Appeal Hereford's latest arts gallery venue, The Crown Inn at Whitchurch is branching out into the world of Jazz with a major charity concert by "demon trumpeter" Ben Cummings on Friday 25th November.Cummings has appeared alongside many Jazz greats including Jamie Cullum, Jacqui Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttleton and the late George Melly. The special Jazz evening starts at 8.30 pm and entrance is £5. Proceeds are in aid of the Brecon based charity The George Melly Sculpture Appeal and will also feature long time Melly associates John Gibbon on drums with Dave Moses on Bass and Phil Mead on Piano. The George Melly Sculpture Appeal is a registered charity based in Brecon, which is fundraising to commission a public artwork to celebrate the life of George Melly and his connection with Brecon Jazz Festival. The designs, by Bruce Williams, are for a series of three surrealist benches to be sited on the promenade ovelooking the river Usk. George Melly was the first musician to be contracted by Brecon Jazz (in 1984) and was a life long supporter and advocate of Brecon, describing Brecon Jazz as “New Orleans in The Beacons”. John Gibbon said "The Crown is a pub/gallery and is the perfect location for Ben's concert as George was arguably even more passionate about art than Jazz". Melly collected surrealist art in particular and was well known as a broadcaster, critic and raconteur in addition to being a mainstay of the British Jazz Scene from the 1940's up to his death in 2007. The event at the Crown will take place in the gallery space of the recently refurbished pub where new owner Dez O'Leary is currently hosting an exhibition of the work of iconic film poster artist Graham Humphrey. The concert will also have a multimedia element and will feature projections that further explore the Jazz / Art connection whilst Ben Cumming's special show will feature a "remembering George" section with recollections of Melly and will highlight famous numbers such as Dr Jazz associated with Melly over his long career. Ben Cummings with The John Gibbon Trio at The Crown, Whitchurch, HR9 6DB (Between Ross and Monmouth) Friday 25th November at 8.30pm £5 entry in aid of The George Melly Sculpture Appeal Enquiries : 07729 467420
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| • Alan Barnes • Chris Bowden • Neil Bullock • Sara Colman • Al Gurr |
• Levi French • Mike Gorman • Pete Harris • Ben Markland • Tom Hill |
Saturday 26th November at the Prince of Wales, Cambridge St, B1 2NP, from midday till late. Free admission. Proceeds of raffles etc. will go to the John Taylor Hospice, Erdington, this donation will be in memory of Roger Hill, Blues musician who sadly died recently, and to St Mary's Hospice, Selly Park.
For further information phone Linda on 0121-241 6751 or email jazzwestmids@yahoo.co.uk
Musically, the album consists of twelve numbers, eight of which are original. They cover a very wide range of moods and emotions, from the extrovert “Soho Road” to the beautifully poignant “The City Hums Your Name”. Andy plays tenor or soprano sax on all bar one of them. His soprano playing makes an occasional nod in the direction of Kenny G, and is fluent, powerful but sensitive throughout. His tenor sax playing is exceptional, in that he is always capable of maintaining a big sound, even in the fastest passages: not always the easiest thing to do. His talents as an arranger are also to the fore, and are displayed in a wide variety of sonic textures.
It is a tribute to Andy’s abilities that so many of Birmingham’s finest musicians agreed to take part in this project. All are outstanding, but special mention must go to John McKinley on guitars, and Pete Hammond on drums, who underpin the whole thing. The vocals of Michelle Brogan are also very special: more should be heard of her.
In short, this is an album which should be taken up by a major jazz label.
Buy CD from www.andygaylejazz.co.uk or
One or two venues may be closing but there’s still lots of good jazz music around so please support our musicians and keep music live. We have quite a few new venues and bands advertising this month, so scrutinise our adverts closely and don’t miss a thing !
BBC Big Band, Friday 25th November, Birmingham Town Hall. The BBC Big Band, led by former Kenton trombone star, Jiggs Whigham, celebrates the centenary of one of the jazz world’s top cult figures Stan Kenton. Kenton’s band and style became known as “The Wall of Sound”, a tag later used by Phil Spector. Stan Kenton’s name has become a byword for some of the most exciting and original innovations ever to happen to the world of big bands.
Calling all Blues Fans. The Prince of Wales, 85 Cambridge St. B1 2NP, is putting on a Blues and Booze Festival on Saturday, November 26 from midday till late AND it’s completely free admission. The Festival is the brainchild of pianist Freddie Pirotta (famous for his Hip Operation) in collaboration with Linda Semp from the Prince of Wales. Programme isn’t quite yet finalised but you can be sure it will be exciting with a few surprises. If you’d like to join in the performance side, please call Linda on 0121 241 6751 or Freddie on 0208 432 9434. All events at the Prince can also be found on Linda’s Facebook page or you can email her at jazzwestmids@yahoo.co.uk
For Trad Jazz fans in the Coventry area, Wednesday 9th November sees a one-off special night of jazz featuring T.J.Johnson on piano, Jamie Brownfield on trumpet, Adrian Cox on sax and clarinet, Jay Darwish on bass and Mez Clough on drums. The venue is The Sky Blue Connexion, Ryton-on-Dunsmore (A423/A445 intersection)and kicks off at 8pm. Admission is £9.00 with nibbles!
Double dates in November at Tamworth’s mainstream and modern club at Bolehall Manor, Amington Rd, Tamworth B77 3LH. Monday 14th sees Bryan Corbett with the Paul Sawtell Trio followed on Monday 28th by John Hughes and The Walsall Jazz Orchestra. The club has an an anniversary coming up in a couple of months ... more on that later!
- Saturday 26 November starting at midday and continuing through till late (midnight or later) - Admission free - Programme is being arranged by pianist Freddie Pirotta and Linda Semp - Wannabe performers should email Linda (jazzwestmids@yahoo.co.uk) or ring 0121 241 6751. LATEST NEWS IN FEATURES!
Eric was one of the most inventive of British drummers, captivating audiences with his leaps across the stage from drum kit to timpani. After leaving Geraldo in 1954 and forming his own band Eric had a huge hit with his recording of Oranges and Lemons which will be included in our concert along with other hits.
There is a special guest percussionist, Matthew Green, who will be featured playing pedal tuned timpani etc. Also on the night Paul Drakeley will be singing the the songs of Dean Martin.
New Jazz Club : John Dunmore has been inspired to return to his roots to recreate those wonderful sounds of the early New Orleans bands. The Saracens Head in Little Brington, Northants NN7 4HS is the venue and the line-up is John Dunmore: Reeds/vocal/, Phil Boyd: Tpt/vcl., Ron Radford: Tbn.,Roger Howlett: Bjo., Chris Reilley: Keyboard, Glynn Murray: Bass, Dave Rooker: Dms. Guest musicians will be more than welcome to sit in. Let’s establish a good old fashioned Jazz Club….just like there used to be…
Droitwich Jazz Club is organised by Richard and Pattie Leach and sessions are held in the comfortable surroundings of the clubhouse at Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Droitwich, Worcestershire. There is ample parking for cars and excellent bar facilities with snacks available. Doors on jazz club evenings are open from 7pm with music between 8 and 10.30pm. Admission is £8, payable on entrance. Live e local live Jazz scene; we showcase a wide range of musicians from a gypsy jazz through stride and swing to interpretations of jazz standards Kings Heath Cricket & Sports Club, 247 Alcester Road South are fielding The JB Jazz & Blues Band on 22nd October. This band likes to have fun and their polished performance is sure to hit a six ! All the musicians are also vocalists and they have a wide repertoire ranging from Louis Prima right through to Louis Armstrong. As the name implies they are very versatile and can play in many styles including Jump Jive, Swing, Blues and many more.
The Steve King Big Band starts a busy Autumn in October. They appear as part of a big band week at Sand Bay Leisure Complex in Weston Super Mare on the 5th and 6th. The end of the month sees them return to one of the UK’s finest venues for big bands, Wigan Jazz Club. This is a lunchtime concert so hopefully a few readers will make the trip up the M6! Full details appear in their ad or you can contact Steve on 0121 550 1564.
email: School.stratmusicfest@btconnect.com
Tony Christie is fast approaching his 50th anniversary in the music industry. Caudwell Children has provided services worth over £13 million to thousands of children with over 350 different medical conditions. The Charity is committed to changing the lives of children by providing specialist equipment, treatment and therapy as well as its annual ‘Destination Dreams’ holiday and family support services.
Mercure Hotels are promoting three Jazz Festivals across the region which will feature top Uk Jazz, Blues and Gospel singer Denise Lawrence. Denise will be joined at the various venues by Slie By Slide, The Sussex Jazz Kings, The Old Fashioned Love Band, The Heart Of England Jazz Band and The Dart Valley Stompers, along with husband Tony Lawrence, her own band and saxophonist George Huxley.
For full details download the brochures for the Festivals using the links below:
Any size for any Occasion visit
As a grand finale to their 40th Anniversary celebrations, the Steve King Big Band have their “official” 40th concert on Sunday 25th September. It is taking place at The Nautical Club, Bishopsgate Street, Birmingham, B15 1ET.
The evening will take the form of a pre-concert reception where you can meet and chat to the band past and present. The band will perform a first set, which will be followed by a buffet. Following the buffet, the band will wind up proceedings with another set. Many ex-members of the band are attending and several will be sitting in with the band. It should be a great night.
Because of the catering, admission will be by advance ticket only. The cost is only £9.00 including the buffet. Ticket contact details are in the advert.
Tamworth’s Mainstream And Modern Jazz Club has a tribute to Paul Desmond lined up for Monday, 12th September featuring Alison Neale on alto saxperfectly supported by Al Gurr on keyboards, Mark Goodchild on bass and Garry Randall on drums. A great night at the Bolehall Manor Club, Amington Road, Tamworth B77 3LH.
Jazz On The water Live music and real ale cruises operate on many Saturday afternoons throughout the year, featuring talented musicians from around the Midlands and elsewhere. Trad Jazz, Rock, Modern Jazz, Blues, Celtic, Folk, Gypsy Jazz & much more… September 3rd Fret and Fiddle. Fret & Fiddle draw inspiration from the small string bands of the 30’s and 40’s, and particularly from the most famous of all: the Quintette du Hot Club de France featuring Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Real ale from local small brewery is normally available on these cruises. – seat reservations essential.
The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival is now firmly established on the UK Festival map and is one of the largest rural music festival events in Scotland. Visit the Heart of Scotland and experience a weekend of first class entertainment amongst the early Autumn splendour of the Trossachs. One of the headline bands is The Slammers. The band consists of double bass, piano, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone and drums. The singer is a very talented young man, Duncan Morris, who came from the European Rat Pack tour to join the band.The Slammers The Slammers are set to put on a brilliant Vegas style show which will really take the audience back in time !
Tony Christie is fast approaching his 50th anniversary in the music industry. Caudwell Children has provided services worth over £13 million to thousands of children with over 350 different medical conditions. The Charity is committed to changing the lives of children by providing specialist equipment, treatment and therapy as well as its annual ‘Destination Dreams’ holiday and family support services.
The irrepressible King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys make the return trip to The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath [106 High St, Birmingham B14 7JZ, 0121 444 2081] on Friday 30th September.
Tickets are priced at £10 and available from
theticketsellers.co.uk
or on the door.
The current lineup is The King himself on vocals and baritone sax, Bullmoose K. Shirley on guitar, Boysie Battrum on alto and tenor saxes, Mighty Matt Foundling tickling the ivories, double bassist Shark Van Stoop and Gary ‘The Enforcer’ Barber on drums.
The band are on the road throughout the UK and Europe promoting their new album ‘Live at Last’ on Big Bear Records, available on CD and on iTunes.
Info: Big Bear Music, PO Box 944, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8UT
Tel: 0121 454 7020 Fax: 0121 454 9996
Email: admin@bigbearmusic.com
Trumpeter Bob Moreton died on 9 August following a long illness. Bob's swinging trumpet graced many traditional bands in the Midlands over the years, including Big Eric Dodgson's Old Comrades and New Revival bands, the Ollie Dow Band and the group that Bob himself founded in the early eighties, the Bank Street Syncopators.
As well as being a fine musician, Bob was an all-round Good Guy, with a sense of
humour that complemented his rather impish appearance. Bob's presence on a gig
was a guarantee of an enjoyable session and some good laughs. Our condolences go out to Jean, Dave, Sue and the rest of Bob's family.
Dates advertised as being at the Bonded Warehouse in July/August’s magazine are in fact at the Hive in Shrewsbury. They include Tommaso Starace on 10th September and Laura Collins Quartet on Oct 8th. The the mistake was in the advert and the Hive’s dates appeared correctly in both magazine and web listings.
The Brass Volcanoes (above) are just one of the many acts you'll find in and around town. Some of the more enticing events include Alt Country singer Kasey Cubero (at a Jazz Fest? Never mind I'll be going), John Ruddick Quartet, Jean Paul Gard, Dave O'Higgins, Tipitina, US Jazz singer Sandy Russell and saxophonist Art Themen who's linking up with the Henry Newman Trio at the Bournville Social Club. If Henry invites some of the other musicians up on stage, such as forner Black Voices singer Janice Williamson, the this promises to be a cracker.
The vast majority of the events are free, but two of the best of the pay to get in events promise to be Lady Sings The Blues (featuring Val Wiseman, Digby Fairweather...) at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday 10th July at 7pm (£15/10)and a link up between UK trombone star Dennis Rollins and veteram Birmingham Jazz legend Andy Hamilton at Bearwood Corks Club on Thursday 7th July (8.30 for 9pm - £5/4)
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BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL
218 performances in 81 venues, almost all of them with free admission and many in public places.ring 0121 454 7020 for programme. Mostly Jazz Festival 2011
Taking place from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July the second Mostly Jazz Festival is shaping up to be full of big names such as Festival headliners The Cinematic Orchestra and The Matthew Herbert Big Band and recent programme addition Dele Sosimi as well as interesting local artists like Steve Troman’s Bebop Band and Luis Mather & Noose. The festival will bring three days of live soul, funk and jazz to the beautiful setting of Moseley Park.
Date for your diary: Friday 8th July – The Trumpet. Swing Parade with Special Guest Bruce Adams. Edgar Marcías and friends’ new venue is Benjamins in Halesowen, every Sunday. I went along to the first session, very nice place, plenty of room, nice people.
George Huxley will be playing at The Civic Hall Stratford-On-Avon for an “ An American Celebration “ on Monday 4th July Friends of The Orchestra of the Swan are presenting a summer fundraising concert.
I have been asked for details of the Burton ‘Big Band Concert at Henhurst Hill Henhurst Hill Social Club, Henhurst Hill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9TB Telephone: 01283 215703,Come along and hear the sounds of the Burton Big Band, refreshments available and entry free of charge. Starts at 8.30pm
Old Sills Jazz Club
George Huxley has a special guest on Thurs 28th July, Kelland Thomas, a versatile musician comfortable in a variety of genres, Dr. Thomas performs, records and tours regularly with vintage jazz group The Original Wildcat Jass Band and fusion band Sylvan Street. He has performed with Jerry Lewis, Peter Nero, The Four Tops, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, The Spinners, Sam Moore, Jimmy Heath, and many more. George met him last year in America whilst playing at a jazz Festival.
Just 90 minutes before his show was due to start in a Staffordshire village church, two massive swarms of bees invaded the building. The bees began to invade St Peter’s Church in Elford, near Lichfield, just as the musicians arrived to set up their instruments.
The concert organisers quickly realised they would have to evacuate the building as tens of thousands of bees swarmed in. But the musicians and the jazz fans were in luck, as the nearby village hall happened to be free for the night, and the concert went ahead on time in its new location.
The concert, staged as a tribute to legendary American jazz cornet player Ruby Braff, starred trumpeter Digby with guitarists Dominic Ashworth and Colin Oxley, and bassist Len Skeat.
Digby, who was in the church when the bees invaded, commented: “The bees were very, very threatening. I tried playing The Flight Of The Bumblebee, but they took no notice. However, we had a great night at the village hall.”
It was the first in a new summer series of concerts, entitled Jazz At St Peter’s. The next concert in the Jazz At St Peter’s series is on July 7, and will star two legendary jazz musicians: trombonist Roy Williams and tenor saxophonist Tommy Whittle.
The acclaimed book of jazz photography The Power Of Jazz, by UK-based photographer John Watson, has now been published in a new softback edition by blurb.com.
It features more than 140 photographs of jazz legends and rising stars, including Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson, Gil Evans, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, Dame Cleo Laine, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, Kenny Davern, Kurt Elling, Jan Garbarek, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones, Roy Hargrove,
Charles Lloyd, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Jane Monheit, Lee Konitz, the Mingus Big Band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
On Sunday July 3rd the acclaimed Roger Hill Band will play from 4.30 to 7.30pm, and on Sunday July 10th Smokin’ Ade and his Blues Band will play in the same time slot. Both highly recommended! .
There appears to be some confusion in the magazine over whether Ipanema are playing the Hive in Shrewsbury or the Bonded Warehouse this Saturday. They are in fact playing at the Hive, as are Tommaso Starace on 10th September and Laura Collins Quartete on Oct 8th.
Auditions for the next series of Britain's Got Talent are taking place at the Actress & Bishop over the next few Sundays. 
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STEVE KING BIG BAND
ANNUAL XMAS CONCERT
Tamworth’s Mainstream & Modern Club hosted by Ken Mosson celebrates 20 years at Bolehall Manor on January 9th with the Mark Goodchild Sextet. The club actually opened its doors 5 years earlier in 1987 at The Good Companions (later re-named The Old Liberal House) with a short period at The Jolly Sailor before settling into its current Amington Road location. Ken’s club is a very friendly one with it's loyal following and gifted performers including the Monday, 12th December line-up featuring The Tom Hill Quartet, Tom on bass, Paul Sawtell vibes, Al Gurr keyboards and Nick Millwardon drums. Well done, Ken, on 20 years of Jazz At The Manor and a certain 80th birthday this past summer!
Roger Hill passed away peacefully on Tuesday 8th November
