Feb-Jun09 - Dec08/Jan09 - Nov08 - Oct08 - Sept08
Feb-Aug08 - Jul07-Jan08 - Jan-Jun07 - Jul-Dec06 - Jun-Jan06 - Dec-Jul05 - Jun-Feb05

Claire Martin and her Quartet at Ludlow Assembly Rooms

Acclaimed as the best ever British jazz singer in a recent issue of America's leading jazz publication Jazz Times, Claire Martin was born to sing.  She learned all of Judy Garland's songs by the time she was 12 but it was hearing Ella Fitzgerald's legendary "Song Books" that changed her life, inspiring her to go to Stage School and then to study singing in London and New York.

Influenced by Ella, Betty Carter and Shirley Horn she possesses a peerless sense of swing, pure tone and a true improvisor's ear but her love of great lyrics means that she always puts the song first. Her off the cuff wit brings a dash of humour to her fabulous stage show.

Don’t miss this chance to see Claire Martin and her quartet at Ludlow.

Friday 14th November,  8pm
Box Office:  01584 878141
www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk

ROYSTERS JAZZ WEEKEND

Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th January 2009

If you fancy a long weekend by the sea after Christmas in the beautiful resort of Paignton, near Torquay, then the Roysters Jazz Weekend may be just the tonic you're looking for! The weekend is four nights dinner, bed and breakfast and takes place at the very comfortable AA 3-star Redcliffe Hotel, only a few yards from the sea.

Bands include George Huxley's Jazz Band (see picture), John Maddocks Jazzmen, Des Bacon's Red Hot Syncopators, and more.

For more details visit www.roystersjazz.co.uk or phone Roy on 01803 311291.

STEVE KING BIG BAND

The inaugural "Tribute To The Great Song Stylists" show featuring two top class vocalists with the Steve King Big Band took place in October at the Birmingham Library Theatre. It was such a success the show has been booked into several other venues in the near future.

You can catch the next show on Friday 28th November at Tamworth Assembly Rooms. Vocals will once again be courtesy of Gary Lewis and top American vocalist Lynn Dawes.

The show starts at 8 pm and tickets are available from the box office on 01827 709618.

Pictured right: Gary Lewis

FUNKTIONAL JAZZ/FUNK BAND

Funktional are a young band who have been together for two years and are building a great following and reputation. The band consists of Nick Dewhurst, trumpet (18), Tom Miner, tenor sax (16), Sam Craig, piano (17), Chris Langford, bass (18) and Matt Sellar, drums (23). They have a wide repertoire featuring jazz, funk, blues, pop, salsa and Nick's own compositions. Some of Funktional's highlights in 2008 included supporting rising jazz star Abram Wilson, and performing at the Lichfield Real Ale, Jazz and Blues Festival.

They are now recording a CD of their favourite compositions, due to be out around Christmas. Their main influences include Abram Wilson, Arturo Sandoval, The Brecker Brothers, Dennis Rollins, Donald Byrd, Fred Wesley, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, James Brown, Jimmy Smith, Joe Satriani, Pat Metheny, Tower of Power and Walsall Jazz Orchestra. You will be hearing a lot more about this young band. See them live at St Mary's Centre, Lichfield on December 8th at 7.30pm. Contact Nick Dewhurst on 01543 252120 or nick.dewhurst@live.co.uk

JACK DANIELS BIG BAND AT ALCESTER TOWN HALL

The band's Christmas Concert will take place at the historic Alcester Town Hall on Friday 5th December, so come and enjoy a lively festive evening. The band also plays regularly at Evesham Arts Centre, Pershore Jazz Festival and Kingsley Theatre Redditch. Their musical director - trombonist Pat Bayliss - has just come back from a memory-lane national tour with Al Martino. The band includes some lady members of the National Saxophone Choir. Their current music programme includes much loved favourites from Basie, Kenton and Ellington, as well as more modern arrangers like Tom Kubis, Frank Mantooth and Gordon Goodwin. Vocalist Louise Johnson has an extensive repertoire including Peggy Lee, Ella and Julie London classics. Further information from Roger Skyrme on 01564 742059.

SO WHAT BIG BAND COMES
TO STAFFORD

Fans of big band Jazz are in for a rare and special treat as the excellent So What! 18-piece Jazz Ensemble appears at the Stafford Jazz Society's Sunday lunchtime session on the 23rd November at Stafford Rangers Football Club, Astonfields Road.

This unique band, playing all their own arrangements, will present an exciting mix of music, including modern versions of Louis Armstrong classics such as West End Blues and Cornet Chop Suey. Many of their tunes have an exciting twist in their tails.

One not to be missed! Contact Nick on 01785 226950.

JAZZ CONNECTION ALLSTARS

If you live in the Coventry or Rytonon- Dunsmore areas there are some great events coming up at the Jazz Connection in December and January which we're sure you will enjoy. On December 3rd there is a special evening featuring the Savannah Jazz Band, starting at 8pm. Tickets are £10.50 including a buffet.

On January 7th 2009 they will have "the best possible start to the New Year" with the Jazz Connection Allstars, featuring John Maddocks, Roger Marks, Steve Graham, Gentleman Jim Macintosh, Anne Hawkins and Barry Norman.

Tickets are £8.50, start 8.30pm. For further information about the club or to book tickets contact Derek on 02476 335273

UP-AND-COMING

• Nov 5 - Burton Big Band Henhurst Social Club

• Nov 6 - Mike Hatton’s MJHQ (right) @ Corks

• Fri 7 - N C Big Band Gornal RBL Poppy Appeal

• Sun 9 - MYJO Fenton Community Centre, Stoke on Trent

CORRECTION

SOUTHSIDE BIG BAND
Featuring the Voice of Sinatra Jim McAllister

@ The Stadium, West Midlands Travel Club, Wheelers Lane, Kings Heath, Birmingham - Wednesday November 12th   8.30pm
Tickets on door 0121-475 6177
 
We apologise for giving the wrong date in some magazines.

UP-AND-COMING

• Nov 20 - Huw & Chris Morgan (right) @ Corks

• Fri 21 - FAT CHOPS Big Band @ Sutton C'field Town Hall with Guest Dave Chance

• Sat 22 - Casey Greene @ KHI Coffe Bar, Ironbridge

 

 

STRATFORD ON AVON MUSIC FESTIVAL

Friday10th - Sunday19th October

The 13th Stratford on Avon Music Festival promises a more international line up of top musicians than ever before. Leading the jazz element of the Festival this year is legend Acker Bilk (pictured) who appears with his Paramount Jazz Band at Stratford’s Civic Hall on Wednesday 15 October at 7.30pm. To book phone the Civic Hall on 01789 207100 or book online at www.civichall.co.uk.

In addition Stratford Jazz has two great evenings in store at the White Swan Hotel. The Liquorice-Stick All Sorts on Sunday 12 October is a new trio featuring Alan Barnes on clarinet and sax with Jim Hart on vibraphone and Paul Clarvis on drums. ‘Never Pat a Burning Dog’ on Sunday 19 October features a quintet specially formed as a tribute to Ronnie Scott with Dick Pearce on trumpet, Mornington Lockett on sax, Tom Hill on bass, Paul Sawtell on piano and Neil Bullock on drums. To book in advance phone Roy on 01789 298607, but hurry, tickets are going fast.
For full details see www.stratfordmusicfestival.com

BRIDGNORTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008

The Bridgnorth Jazz Festival 2008 will take place during the weekend of 24-26 October and will include ‘A Tribute to Ella and Oscar’ featuring Anita Wardell and Craig Milverton, the now famous Jazz Trail, Wheatley's Arcadians (30's vaudeville), The Carole Westwood Quartet, (Carole pictured left) and the star of the festival, Keith Nichols, with his re-creation of The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. For further information phone Tim Lord on 01746 765737 or visit www.bridgnorthjazzfestival.co.uk

SIMON SPILLETT AT BEARWOOD CORKS CLUB

Andy Hamilton’s home venue, the Corks Club at 558 Bearwood Road, always has a very interesting programme featuring many exciting musicians. On Thursday 9th October they welcome one of the UK's top Sax Stars Simon Spillett who will be playing with excellent local rhythm section, John Patrick, Tom Hill and Tony Richards.

Simon, winner of the 2007 BBC Jazz “Rising Star” Award, has risen meteorically in the past two years to become one of the most dynamic and distinctive Tenor Saxophonists on the UK jazz scene. His driving and energetic style is often compared to that of his idol, the late great Tubby Hayes. See listings for full details or visit www.bearwoodjazz.co.uk.

FILM FIRST FESTIVAL

RARE CHANCE TO SEE SILVERSHINE

Library Theatre, B’ham, 6.30 (Film starts 7.30) FREE IN

The Walia brothers who are based in Bearwood, are responsible for a slate of fantastic TV documentaries and films, spanning over two decades of work. When asked what film they would really like to showcase from a body of work across the globe – it was the documentary Silvershine, featuring local Jazz legend Andy Hamilton.
As part of a ‘blast from the past’ season this is a documentary well worth seeing – as it was last broadcast on ITV in 1988 and featured at the ‘Birmingham International Film Festival.

FilmFirst intend this to be part one of a two stage event with a second screening early next year followed by a live performance with Andy Hamilton and his band...watch this space for further info on that event.

So if you’re looking for an excuse to go out next Monday night – please feel welcome to come along – doors open at 6.30pm with an open licensed bar (typo on flyer sorry) with the screening due to start around 7.30pm.

Click Here to download the flyer

TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT SONG STYLISTS

THE STEVE KING BIG BAND

The Steve King Big Band is one of the Midlands leading big bands and appears all over the UK. On Sunday 5th October they appear in concert at one of Birmingham's best kept secrets, The Library Theatre which is tucked away in Paradise Place next to the Adrian Boult Hall.

For this appearance they are joined by two fabulous vocalists, Birmingham's own Gary Lewis plus the sensational Lynn Dawes (pictured, right) from the USA. The show pays tribute to the great song stylists of the last 50 years such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin and Sarah Vaughn plus some of the younger ones such as Michael Buble, Toni Tennille and Robbie Williams. Box Office 0121-303 2323.

N C BIG BAND

The N C Big Band will be staging their fifth Annual Old Town Hall Dancers Reunion Charity Dance at Gornal RBL on Friday October 17th at 8pm. The event is in aid of the Russells Hall Leukaemia Unit Appeal Fund. For all enquiries phone Terry Smith on 01527 874537.

JAZZ PARTY AT SEA

If a Jazz Cruise in the Caribbean, visiting the coast of Central America and the Bahamas, is your idea of a holiday of a lifetime then Chancery Cruising’s annual ‘Jazz Party at Sea’ is one not to be missed. The Jazziz Omni Media 25th Birthday Celebration Cruise sails from Miami on 15 November 2009, and many star performers will be aboard (see advert page 3).

For full details phone 020 7405 7506 or e-mail bookings@
chancerycruising.com

Sunday 12 Oct Garry Allcock's Tribute to Count Basie & Frank Sinatra at the Barn, BrookvaleRd Witton Special Offer...2 tickets for the price of 1   £10

Your chance to see a great band at a terrific price !!
8pm tel 0121 356 5706

UP-AND-COMING

• Thurs 23 - MYJO (right) @ Bearwood Corks
• Sat 25 - Old Comrades @ The Trumpet
• Sat 25 - Casey Greene @ the Bridgenorth Jazz Festival
• Sun 26 - NC Big Band @ The Robin 2
• Also Barbara & All That Jazz, Heart Of England, JB Jazz & Blues, and more in our Listings section.

Still a few seats left to see Ann Duggan & Robert Hines on JAZZ ON THE WATER on Saturday 11 October 

2.30 pm from Gas St Basin Great 3 hour canal cruise with music and bar ..only £7 Phone Sam on 0121 2367057

Next JAZZ ON THE WATER on Saturday 18October - Sara Colman (below) & Chris Bowden (right)

2.30 pm from Gas St Basin Great 3 hour canal cruise with music and bar ..only £7 Phone Sam on 0121 236 7057

 

MYJO AND MATTHEW FORD

MYJO (Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra) with their very special guest singer Matt Ford will be appearing at the Solihull Arts Complex on Thursday 25th September.

MYJO (below) will also be at Tamworth Assembly Rooms on Sunday 28th September with their special guest, singer Carole Westwood. Matt Ford will also be the special guest of Fat Chops Big Band at Tasco's Club, Hazelwell Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham on Sunday 12th October at 12.30pm. All Enquiries: 01675 442 050

JAZZ ON THE WATER STEAMS AHEAD

Sam Waller's very popular jazz trips on the Birmingham canals feature two great bands in September: pianist and vocalist Phil Sayer with his son James on Saturday 13th September and the ever popular Steve Ajao on Saturday 27th September. Starting at 2.30pm from Gas Street Basin phone Sam on 0121-236 7057 for bookings and enquiries.

STEVE KING BIG BAND

The acclaimed Steve King Big Band below) will be appearing at Solihull Complex on Sunday 14th September,

Box Office on 0121-704 6962. For more information about the band
www.stevekingbigband.co.uk

JB ARE TOPS IN STAFFORD

JB Jazz & Blues Band has been awarded "The Band of the Year" for 2008 by the Stafford Jazz Society.

The band was formed over ten years ago, featuring the fun and essence of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, jazz jive and a taste of rhythm and blues. The line-up is John Beckingham (piano), Roger Manwaring (saxes), Andy Wood (guitar), Mark Howell (bass) and Clive Miller (drums). The band has appeared on Channel 4, played for ten consecutive years at the Upton on Severn Fringe Festival and is a regular feature of Midland jazz clubs.

Jazz Events at Ludlow Assembly Rooms:

Saturday 13 September, 7.30pm George Thorby Big Band
This hugely popular Big Band features the music of Basie, Ellington, Kenton and Glen Miller, and the Great American Songbook. £15/£13.50 concs.

Saturday 20 September, 12.30 - 5.30pm
A wonderful opportunity for jazz enthusiasts to enjoy a day of jazz in all its genres, both listening and playing. The afternoon is devoted to education and playing opportunities including improvisation and group playing. All ages, under 12s to be accompanied by an adult.

Gigs are free, but reserve in advance at Box Office 01584 878141
or visitwww.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk

Jazz on a Winter's Weekend

Southport Melodic Jazz has come up with a brilliant programme for the club's 5th annual 'Jazz on a Winter's Weekend' festival which will run at Southport's Royal Clifton Hotel 6-8 Feb 2009. Programme director Geoff Matthews commented that 'the festival is going to be a celebration of British based contemporary jazz - musicians, bands, composers and arrangers. The vein of British jazz is so rich just now that our biggest problem was what to leave out.'

Weekender tickets are now on sale (£120) and the programme includes The David Newton Trio with Art Themen, Liz Fltcher with The Matt Waites Quintet, Arnie Somogyi's Scenes fron The City, Bobby Wellins/Don Weller Quartet plus string ensemble, The Clark Tracey Quartet, Alan Barnes' Stray-Horns Octet and The Anita Wardell Quartet - and lots more.
Ring 01704 541790 or email matthewsjazz@sky.com for tickets or more details.

Dave Newton

Welcome to Karli

This month we welcome our new sub-editor Karli who has worked very hard on this magazine, and we hope she will be very happy with us. If you need a designer for your flyers, promotional material etc. call Linda on 0121 241 6751. She can put you in touch with someone suitable at a very competitive price.

Andrea Vicari and the Jazz Day Collective

Saturday 20 September, 7.30pm The Plural Quartet £12, £6 under 18s.
www.ludlowjazzday.com
Contacts:
Ludlow Assembly Rooms, 1 Mill Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AZ, tel 01584 878141

www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk

Andy Prior at the Sinatra Music Society

The Sinatra Music Society is holding its Annual Convention at the Clarendon Suite, Hagley Road, Birmingham on Sunday 19th October from 10.30am.

The main concert starring Andy Prior and his Orchestra begins at 3.45pm, tickets £16. Food is available all day. To book tickets or enquire about the society please call Frank Harvey on 01543 317743.

6TH AYR JAZZ FESTIVAL
17 - 19 October 2008

Ayr Jazz Festival is a friendly festival, set in the heart of scenic Burns' country, with lots of added attractions in the area.

This years festival promises to be an action-packed event with music provided by top UK bands such as The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band, Dave Donohoe Jazz Band, Havana Swing, New Century Ragtime Orchestra, Sportinghouse Strings, Mike Daly Trio and outstanding musicians including Norman Field, Mike Piggott, Martin Litton, Frank Brooker, Tom Kincaid and more besides.

The festival is held in central hotels, all within easy walking distance of each other. There are good road, rail, air and sea links to Ayr and a local caravan site is available. Ticket applications on 01292-590773.
Accommodation and other information from Katy on 01292-443309

The Waterworks Jazz Club take an Autumn break in Quinton

The Waterworks Jazz Club, normally held at the Birmingham United Services Club, Gough Street, will be taking place from October to December at the Quinborne Community Centre, Ridgacre Road, Quinton, B'ham B32 2TW. All enquiries to 0121-445 5668 or 01527 575160.