Welcome to Jazz West Mids

Bedford Street, leamington Spa, there is a jazz jam with a House Band and special Host Guest. Every Wednesday 8.30- 11. On October 11th The Guest Host is Wendy Kirkland.

Charity Jazz Special, Sunday 12th November with Steve King Big band and Mike’s Big Band Jazz orchestra at Mosley All Services Club

2018 Oxfam Stomp, will be held on Friday 5th Jan at the Kings Heath Cricket Club, Alcester Road South. George Huxley has already agreed to appear with an all-star band.

Bev Pegg will emcee the event and as well as George Huxley,
Ron Hill’s Swing Kings New Orleans Bump, have also confirmed.

A date for your 2018 diary 34th Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell Jazz Festival is to be put back a week from the dates previously advertised due to the football World Cup being extended further into July, but make sure to keep 20-29th July 2018 free.

Keep Jazzin’      
               Stella   

 Welcome to Jazz West Mids

The JB Jazz & Blues Band have been awarded the Ken Rattenbury Memorial Trophy for “Band Of The Year” by Stafford Jazz Society. The band has now won the award for a record-breaking third time. They won in the 2007-2008 season, 2009-2010 season and now the 2016-2017 season.

Stafford Jazz Society’s Band of the Year is the result of concert ratings taken throughout the season. After each concert SJS Members are asked to mark out of 10; the average mark is then calculated and recorded and every concert in the season is included. This season we had 36 concerts in all and the JB Jazz & Blues Band came top with a score of 9.80+.

Keep Jazzin’      
               Stella   

The JB Jazz & Blues Band would like to
thank the members of Stafford Jazz Society
for voting them Band Of The Year for their
2016-2017 season. It is a great honour for us
to win this prestigious award for the third time
and we would like to thank the committee
and all of the members for their support. We
wish the society continuing success in the
coming years, and we look forward to
seeing you all again in December.

Summer is here folks!

The International Big Band Competition takes place each year at Hoofddorp in Holland as part of the Meer Jazz Festival. This year’s takes place on 10th June, and we are pleased to announce the Steve King Big Band has been selected from over 50 entries to represent the UK at this prestigious event in the final rounds. The field includes bands from Holland, Germany, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic and the United States, and the band are currently working on a programme to hopefully lift the winner’s trophy for the United Kingdom.

The band are also fund raising for their trip, and if anyone would like to help sponsor the band in participating, please get in touch! We can be contacted via our website www.stevekingbigband.co.uk or social media. We have various goodies available for all sponsors! details can be found on the band’s website: www.stevekingbigband.co.uk or the IBBC website: www.meerjazz.nl/festival.

Thanks,       
               Stella   

GARY'S SOUTHSIDE SONG & DANCE

Joining Guest vocalist Gary Lewis, for the Southside Big Bands March 8th concert, were Latin & Ballroom dancers Harriet Smith & Pawel Wieczorek.

Gary said "I wanted to bring together the two elements of Song & Dance and give the audience something different, all on my birthday​ too" (Watch the video highlights on YouTube/ Strictly Song & Dance/ Gary Lewis/ Southside Big Band)

Details of Gary's 2018 RAF Centenary Concert can also be found below

Spring is in the air, plenty of live Jazz to put a spring in your step.
     Make sure you dont get caught
                        out on April Fools day!
                   keep Jazzin’       
              Stella   

Carl Sinclair

Playing at Jazz-a-Matazz Coventry - 12.30 - 3 - Sunday 26th Feb

Hi Everyone and welcome to the February/March issue of
Jazzwestmids.

Thank you very much for all the kind messages I have received, much appreciated. In future I will be publishing a joint 2 month issue, instead of the previous monthly one. The main reason is cost of production and postage hopefully this will solve the problem.

The Oxfam Stomp was yet again a great success, raising £2000.00 for the
charity. This year it was compared brilliantly by Bev Pegg, who brought his
own style and humour to the occasion. Seating arrangements were much
improved allowing jazzers to move around more freely. The committee, Dave,
Jim, Sheila and Polly would like to thank all the musicians who gave up their
time to play for such a good cause. Also our thanks go to John, Ingrid and Ali
on the door and Audrey and Diane for selling raffle tickets.

Date for your diary:
32 Upton Jazz Festival from 22nd to 25th June 2017

Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood

Jaqui Dankworth and her husband, the American pianist-vocalist, Charlie
Wood, are to give a concert at the Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton,
Shropshire on Saturday 4 February. The community owned venue, with its
200 seater auditorium, will provide an intimate evening for the ‘Just Me, Just
You’ concert of duets celebrating a century of song from some of the greatest
musical partnerships including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

Enjoy an evening of music in the company of Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood.

Jacqui is one of the most highly regarded vocalists in the UK. Known primarily as a jazz singer, Jacqui's unique musical palette also draws on folk, soul, classical and blues.

She has performed and recorded with a diverse array of celebrated musicians, including the Brodsky Quartet, Paloma Faith, Clare Teale, The London Symphony Orchestra, and legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea.

Jacqui is joined by acclaimed American pianist- vocalist, Charlie Wood and a stellar group of musicians, for a unique concert of duets cellebrating a century of song. The concert will feature numbers inspired by some of the great musicial partnerships including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and George and lra Gershwin.

Saturday 4th February 7:30pm
Tickets £21.00 Friends £20.00
Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, TF9 3AX
01630 654444 (opt 1) www.festivaldraytoncentre.com

Hi Everyone and welcome to the November issue of
Jazzwestmids.

The dark evenings are upon us, it will soon be time to drag out the ‘ Big Coats’ but there is plenty of good Jazz about to warm you up, do what you can to support our musicians to keep music live.

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

It will, however, be possible to get events posted on the website if you mail them through to Stella with plenty of time. WATCH THIS SPACE:

• The Steve King Big Band will be performing their ever popular Christmas concert on Sunday 18th December. The concert will take place at Halesowen Cricket Club and admission is on the door. Expect all your favourite Christmas songs arranged by the likes of Tom Kubis, Gordon Goodwin, Bob Florence and Stan Kenton, plus a few surprises!. Vocals are by top USA singer Lynn Dawes
  

Don Wow’s Them In Doncaster

For the 3rd year running the venue was packed for a concert
and dance by the Don Mather Big Band with Gary Lewis as
vocalist and compere on September 3rd. This time it was
Hangar 3 at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster, with Vulcan
bomber XH558 as the stunning backdrop.

The event was a tribute to the Classic Aircraft of the RAF, with a mixture of aircraft related film themes and 1940s dance music.

Organizer Gary said “l’m not sure how l can top this?”
....although it is the 100 th anniversary of the RAF in 2018.
If you have an idea how they can top that contact Garry Lewis 07581 372 068

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

Hope you all had a good summer,
in spite of the weather!

Two of our midland favorite artists were performing at the BBC Proms in the Albert Hall.

Vocalist Matt Ford and guitarist Remi harris with his trio. if you missed their performances on TV you can still watch on catch up till the end of Sept. Well worth the effort.

• Prom36: Late night with Jamie Cullum, Remi Harris Trio.

• Prom38: John Wilson plays Gershwin, Matt Ford.

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

Summer is here,                                
fingers crossed.             
                    Lots of good jazz around,
Summer festivals, Jazz Holidays       
    and our usual regular jazz events.

The Blue Piano, is hosting an art exhibition, Brush with the Blues July 14th 5.30, coinciding with the Jazz Festival Launch .

As well as being King Pleasure, of the Biscuit Boys Fame, Mark Skirving is an artist with a considerable international reputation.

This exhibition will feature Mark’s paintings of Blues singers including BB King, followed by by a performance on the garden stage from Pepper and the Jelly heads.

On 4 consecutive Wednesdays, during August, it’s the Chris Bowden August residency.

Chris will be joined by an assortment of his Jazz friends and associates in the Blue Piano Bar or Garden.

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

JUNE ALREADY !!

Plenty of summer music coming up:

a new one for you is the South Warwickshire Jazz Festival. It's a joint jazz festival with Kenilworth Jazz and Leam Jazz on Sunday July 3rd at the Leamington Rugby Club.

Running from 1.30 to 6pm, it will be a great day out.

keep Jazzin’       
                 Stella   

On UK Tour                             
Belgium Band            
                   “New Orleans Z’Hulus”...

immensely popular at European Jazz clubs and Festivals.

You can see them at Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club on April 6th. Also on UK tour in April is “Steve Big Man Clayton“ check out his advert for venues.

J B Music, run by local bandleader and music personality John Beckingham, announces the re-introduction of a monthly live music session hosted by the Cheltenham Area Sports and Social Association club at their premises on the Tewkesbury Road at Uckington.

The new venture will have its first session on Sunday March 20th 2016, and will thereafter take place on the third Sunday each month and will be called “JB’s Jazz Club”

For further information contact: John Beckingham: phone: 07798 700202 email: jbq@blueyonder.co.uk CACSSA : phone:01242 680424

Leam Jazz are delighted to announce the return to Leamington of a Sunday Jazz Jam Session. Tony Freeman bravely held the mantle for the last couple of years running sessions in Coventry, Newbold and Rugby but now the sessions are returning to Leamington. Jonny Roden of the Town House in George Street in the Old Town in Leamington is our new host.

He is a musician and does a lot to support live music in the town. Some of you may already be familiar with the pub through John Black’s weekly open mic session.

The location is just right for a jazz jam and we cannot wait to start. It will be held on the FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH 5 – 8pm

keep Jazzin’            
Thanks,       
                            Stella   

So...                                               
... lets hope for some         
     lovely Spring weather
          ...to go with
                                  some great Jazz

It is a month for apologies, I am sorry the, club packages of magazines, came out late, I took them to the Post Office in time, BUT they sat there in the post office for 5 days !! and didnt get picked up. by the post. What can I say!!!!!

Unfortunately I put the wrong date for February’s Southside concert, I do apologies, know a lot of you missed out and the musicians in the Band were obviously very upset.

This months concert is on March 9th with Star GuestJeff Hooper. Jeff’s enduring quality is a breathtaking voice and sheer magnetism that has survived the changing trends. This isn’t only because the songs he sings are time-honoured masters in their own right, its down to his unique voice, chestnut warm and chocolate rich, classic, certain and reassuring.

Stratford Jazz has moved, and are excited about the new Venue, Stratford ArtsHousegive it a try. Rother St. Stratford Upon Avon Cv37 6LU

keep Jazzin’            
Thanks,       
                            Stella   

BOOK A BAND

• Chase jazzmen
  traditional and popular jazz.
  01746 712766 or 07792 708396
  www.chasejazz.co.uk
   
• Steve Clayton, Am Einfang 9/2,
  88630 Pfullendorf, Germany. +49 (0)7552 5504
  www.steve-bigman-clayton.com
   
• N.C. BIGBAND
  4-18 piece band - Swing music up to present day
  0121 459 5510
   
• George Huxley’s Jazzmen
  with vocalist Caz
  enquiries ring 01564 730098
   
• 
  Carol: 01299 822751 gus@jazzpzazz.co.uk
  www.jazzpzazz.co.uk/gus.htm
   
• New Orleans - Big Band - Bebop
  JAMIE BROWNFIELD- Jazz Trumpeter
  Tel: 01691 780058 or 07786803777
  www.jamiebrownfield.co.uk
   

• Jazz & Swing with
  THE APEX JAZZ & SWING BAND
  TEL 01543 276428 robin539@btinternet.com
   
  
• Let the Good Times Roll with
  THE JB JAZZ & BLUES BAND
  TEL: 01452 862328 www.jbjazzandblues.co.uk
   
  
• Gipsy Jazz with
  THE SWING MUSEUM
  Tel: Andrew Rackham 01788 574099, 07766037115
   

• Contemporary Fun Quintet
  INTERPLAY
  Adrian Litvinoff 01926 424206
  http://interplayjazz.wordpress.com
   
  
  
• Top Midlands Trad & Swing Band
  THE BANK STREET SYNCOPATORS
  STEVE: 01902 842720 scmsempre@aol.com
   
  
• Presenting the music of Duke Ellington
  KINDA DUKISH BIG BAND
  Mike Fletcher 0121 444 4129
  
  
• Any size for any Occasion visit
  MILLENNIUMJAZZ.COM
  MATT PALMER 0115 921 2464 or 07973 882235 www.millenniumjazz.com
   
  
• Jazz & Blues for all your Functions
  CLIVE ALLSOPP QUINTET
  Tel: 0121 240 1584 - clivetheslide@blueyonder.co.uk
   
  
• Traditional Jazz & Blues
  BARBARA AND ALL THAT JAZZ
  BARBARA: 01543 502997 batotaylor@talktalk.net