Celebrating Jazz with Art
I’ve got to know Ray Colyer over the last couple of years mainly through meeting up with him at the Hemsby, Norfolk, Autumn Jazz Parade, although he is also a mainstay fan on the Kent jazz scene where we are both involved in helping launch the brand new Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Jazz Festival. Ray isn’t only a fan, he is also a darn good … [Read more...]
One of the most spontaneous and exciting jazz gigs I have ever witnessed was at The Candlelight Lounge in Tremé, New Orleans. Every Wednesday night at this cradle of jazz, The Tremé Brass Band plays for free. What’s more, there's free red beans and rice before the show starts. On that magical night during the 2010 Ken Colyer Trust French … [Read more...]
I want to introduce you to a very special jazz fan who isn’t just a friend but one of my jazz heroes for all he does to support trad jazz in Hertfordshire. With fewer and fewer venues available for loyal fans to enjoy their jazz on a regular basis, Brian Smith founded The Peartree Monday Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City. Held once a month, … [Read more...]
I got to talking to Dave Rance the very first time I went to one of his Rockin’ Chair Band’s gigs. Dave is as colourful a character as jazz band leaders come, and his contagious vitality and exuberance is reflected in his band’s performances. I had asked if I could take a number of photographs of the band and when I showed him samples of my … [Read more...]
I chose Hertfordshire based Bob Thomas & The Thomcats amongst the first group of bands to feature on JazzandJazz.com not only because Bob is a good friend who lives in the same village as me, but because he has a jazz pedigree reaching way back. Bob purchased a trumpet from Pat Halcox, Chris Barber’s trumpeter, who gave him private … [Read more...]
Back in 1959 Sammy Rimington played with Barry Martyn’s band. His spectacular jazz career as a professional musician with Ken Colyer’s band started in 1960. In those years my lifelong friend Roger followed his gigs in Kent so when Sammy was booked to appear with his International Jazz Band at the 2008 Ken Colyer Trust Hemsby Autumn Jazz … [Read more...]
The Trombonist Lips tightly pursed Cheeks fit to burst Eyes in a glaze Instrument ablaze The trombonist takes it away. British Star of New Orleans Jazz, trombonist Mike Pointon lets rip with his Lakefront Loungers at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk. Full of enthusiasm, Mike is a mainstay on the UK Jazz scene, … [Read more...]
Fine Art Print of Jazz Portrait of Greg Stafford in Dew Drop Hall Modern day stalwart of traditional jazz, blues and old time gospel music, in this jazz portrait New Orleans star Greg Stafford conjures up echoes from the past in a hypnotic performance at Mandeville’s Dew Drop Hall. Fine Art Print of Jazz Portrait of Dr Michael While in Dew Drop … [Read more...]