Jazz Portrait: Vocalion’s Mark Alexander on Drums & Sam Weller on Trombone
Medway, Kent based Vocalion Jazz Band, led by Sam (it goes without saying!) Weller, is a great favourite with Kent’s traditional jazz fans. In this acrylic portrait Sam is playing alongside Vocalion drummer Mark Alexander at The George in Shalmsford Street just outside Canterbury in May, 2011. Sadly The George no longer stages jazz but [...]
Ikos at The Alleycat
Three years ago I painted Dom Pipkin’s portrait on keyboard with The Fallen Heroes and since then I’ve constantly promised myself to to take in an Ikos’ gig. So I was elated to make it to The Alleycat in Denmark Street, London, on May Day along with my daughter Susie, her partner Antony and Brian Smith [...]
2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival a Star-Studded Success
The New Orleans Times-Picayune recaptures two weeks of magical highlights during the 2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival, culminating in a grand Preservation Hall star-studded celebration. Preservation Hall closed out 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest with star-studded celebration “What followed underscored the continuity of New Orleans music in general, and Preservation Hall specifically. On one [...]
Jazz Art
Jazz Portrait: Roger on Banjo and Pat on Drums, “A Strummin’ and a Drummin’”
Jazz portrait of my good friends Roger Nicholls on banjo and Pat Elms on drums, irreplaceables with Bob Thomas and The Thomcats playing “Jazz on the Island” in Lemsford, Hertfordshire – an annual event at which The Thomcats regularly star to help raise funds in aid of Hertfordshire Action on Disability. See also my jazz [...]
Jazz Portrait: Paul Bonner (trumpet), Tony Rico (sax) and Ben Martyn (bass & vocals)
Jazz painting of Paul Bonner, Tony Rico and Ben Martyn playing with The Fallen Heroes at a “Jazz In the Barn” concert back in 2009 in Throwley, Faversham, Kent. Sadly Paul Bonner died in January, 2011, after an illness spanning several months. I got to know Paul at The 100 Club and Fallen Heroes gigs. [...]
Jazz Artist Fred Bromfield Presents “Jamming” and “Riverboat Shuffle”
Fred describes his latest work, “River Boat Shuffle, memory of an bygone golden afternoon”, as very childlike and primitive. Pure expressionism. Similarly he describes “Jamming” (below) as free flowing, naturalistic and evocative of improvisation at its best. For further information about the availability of Fred’s jazz art you can either email: fredbromfield@yahoo.co.uk or peter@jazzandjazz.com
Jazz Portrait of Gerry Birch on Sousaphone
Gerry Birch hails from East Kent where, besides playing sousaphone and double bass and leading his own Stour Valley Jazz Band, he organises increasingly popular weekly jazz gigs on Thursday nights for fans at The Star, Old Wives Lees, just outside Canterbury. But there’s more! He also runs his own business repairing and restoring brass instruments, [...]
Jazz Bands
Ikos at The Alleycat
Three years ago I painted Dom Pipkin’s portrait on keyboard with The Fallen Heroes and since then I’ve constantly promised myself to to take in an Ikos’ gig. So I was elated to make it to The Alleycat in Denmark Street, London, on May Day along with my daughter Susie, her partner Antony and Brian Smith [...]
“TJ” in The Crypt!
24th November, 2010, was a very special day for me. Not just because it was my birthday (never mind which one!) but also because that day my son Alec and I took in TJJohnson and His Band at The Crypt, St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. Not just for that reason either but [...]
Z’hulus Storm Ramsgate
Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle welcomed The New Orleans Z’hulus to Court Stairs Manor and Country Club for their monthly gig on Wednesday, 18th April. Immensely popular at European jazz clubs and festivals, the Belgian band was enthusiastically welcomed by Seaside Shuffle fans with whom they quickly built a warm rapport. The Z’hulus’ repertoire of New Orleans [...]
Announcing DAVE PRICE SWING THING
It’s here! It’s NEW! Banjoist David Price has launched David Price Swing Thing, “a truly swinging affair” starring Dave on Mega Banjo, Tim Huskisson on piano/clarinet, Roger Curphey on double bass and Henry Harrison of Winchester Cathedral fame on drums. Swing Thing is a professional quartet that’s different to the usual run of the mill [...]
Jazz Fans
2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival a Star-Studded Success
The New Orleans Times-Picayune recaptures two weeks of magical highlights during the 2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival, culminating in a grand Preservation Hall star-studded celebration. Preservation Hall closed out 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest with star-studded celebration “What followed underscored the continuity of New Orleans music in general, and Preservation Hall specifically. On one [...]
News from New Orleans: 12th Annual Satchmo SummerFest
Save the Date! 12th Annual Satchmo SummerFest New Orleans, Louisiana (May 11, 2012) – Save the date for Satchmo SummerFest – August 3-5, 2012 presented by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. The premier American Jazz Festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans’ native son, Satchmo SummerFest will feature three days of [...]
Geoff Gilbert’s New Orleans Jazz: News and Views from The French Quarter
Geoff Gilbert – bandleader, musician and broadcaster – was born in England in 1932. His early Jazz influences included Humphrey Lyttleton, Chris Barber and Ken Colyer, and on the New Orleans jazz scene – Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Jim Robinson. In 2001, Geoff relocated to the French Quarter of New Orleans where he now [...]
Barry Palser at The Peartree, Monday 21st May – “All Good Stuff”
Always a favourite of the fans, Barry Palser’s Savoy Jazz Band will be back at The Peartree Monday Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City by popular demand on 21st May. So be sure not to miss out! After all, the light evenings will be with us by then. Come to that, make a note [...]