Barry Palser’s Savoy Jazz Band

Sunday 4th October  • 1.00 – 4.00pm

Martin Bennett’s Old Green River Band

Sunday 25th October • 1.00 – 4.oopm

Martin on keyboard, John Finch on trombone

JBGB Events presents leading UK musicians recapturing the music of George Shearing, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong … names for jazz fans to conjure with … along with tales, stories and anecdotes from their lives in a series of concerts at St James Studio, 12 Palace Street, Westminster, London, SW1E 5JA.

8.00 pm Thursday 15^th October
The wonderful music of George Shearing featuring Simon Brown

George Sheering

A no-hope congenitally blind boy from Battersea grew to become a US Grammy Award winning jazz great pianist. Shearing performed at Carnegie Hall and for three presidents at The White House, with his unique style of Glenn Miller swing, bop and modern classics. His many albums and singles include hits such as “Lullaby Of Birdland”, ”Pick Yourself Up” and “September In The Rain”. In 2006 George Shearing was knighted by The Queen. Sir George simply said “I don’t know why I’m getting this honour… I’ve just been doing what I love to do. My mind keeps flashing back on my beginnings as pianist playing in a pub for the equivalent of $5.00 a week. What a journey from pub to Palace. Receiving such an honour might also show young people what can be achieved in life if you learn your craft and follow your dreams.”

Flash Back to George Sheering: “One Morning in May”

Simon Brown

Simon Brown, on piano, returns to St. James, following his exciting presentation in our 2014 series of The Wonderful Music of Herbie Hancock. In this current 2015 series his quintet, presenting those unique Shearing voicings, showcases the sparkling and youthful talent of Lewis Wright – vibraphone (fresh from his appearance with Wynton Marsalis at The Barbican), alongside Simon Hurley – guitar, Dave Olney – double bass and George Double – drums.

Tickets £19 & £23
To book either call 0844 264 2140 or go online to www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

(Round the corner from Victoria Station & Buckingham Palace. Arrive early and dine in the Carrara restaurant at the St. James Theatre. Stay late after the show relaxing in the bustling café bar).

8.00 pm Thursday 29^th October
The wonderful music of Duke Ellington featuring Alan Barnes

“Duke” Ellington is arguably the greatest composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras. His career from 1923 spanned over 50 years. Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s onward, and gained a national profile through his orchestra’s appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Members of Ellington’s orchestra, such as Johnny Hodges and Cootie Williams are jazz greats in their own right and his collaborations with composer-arranger-pianist Billy Strayhorn, created long lasting jazz themes including “Perdido”, “It Don’t Mean A Thing” and “Take The “A” Train”. Ellington composed incessantly to the very last days of his life. Music was indeed his total life and his commitment to it was in comparable and unalterable. In jazz he was a giant among giants.

Alan Barnes

UK award-winning jazz great, Alan Barnes on saxophones, leads an all stars UK line up to play the wonderful music of Duke Ellington at St. James, featuring Bruce Adams – trumpet, Robin Aspland – piano, Simon Thorpe -double bass and Bobby Worth – drums.
“Alan infuses his playing with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot” (John Walters. The Guardian).

Tickets £19 & £23
Call 0844 264 2140 or online at www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

8.00 pm Thursday 12^th November 
Fats Waller & Jelly Roll Morton featuring Keith Nichols

Fats Waller

Jelly Roll Morton

Thomas “Fats” Waller was the prize pupil, and later colleague, of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson. He grew to become an influential American jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer, whose innovations to the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano with compositions “Ain’t Misbehavin’”,
“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”
and “Honeysuckle Rose”.

Jelly Roll Morton, was a New Orleans American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer. Widely recognised as a pivotal figure in early jazz, Morton was jazz’s first “arranger”, proving music rooted in improvisation could retain its essential spirit and characteristics when notated. His compositions, including “Jelly Roll Blues”, “King Porter Stomp” and “Black Bottom Stomp” are must-plays in the piano repertoire.

Keith Nichols

Following his sell-out concert at St. James in 2014, playing the music of Scott Joplin and the Ragtime Masters, Keith Nichols, one of the foremost and in demand pianists specialising in older piano styles, returns for this concert. Keith is joined for The Wonderful Music of Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton, by Trevor Whiting – clarinet and Martin Wheatley – acoustic guitar and banjo.

“I’ve heard a lot of pianists, but Keith Nichols plays the nearest to my father”
(Fats Waller’s son Maurice)

Tickets £19 & £23
To book either call 0844 264 2140 or go online to
www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

8.00pm Thursday 21st November
The Wonderful Music of Louis Armstrong featuring Simon Nelson’s DixieMix

Louis Armstrong, nicknamed “Satchmo”, came to prominence in the 1920s, influencing countless musicians with both his daring trumpet style and unique vocals In the 1920’s Armstrong’s charismatic stage presence impressed not only the jazz world but also
popular music.

Armstrong made more than 60 records with the Hot Five and, later, the Hot Seven. Today, these are generally regarded as the most important and influential recordings in jazz history; on these records, Armstrong’s virtuoso brilliance which he developed further with the All Stars – 1946-1956, helped transform jazz from an ensemble music to a soloist’s art.

Simon Nelson and his DixieMix band, fresh from their UK tour as support band for Rod Stewart, make their debut at St. James playing the wonderful music of Louis Armstrong along with their own improvisations and creative sensitivities.

Simon Nelson – trumpet, Pete Oxborough – clarinet, Chris Wigley – trombone, Kevin West – banjo, John Benson bass and Tony Wilkins – drums

“Wonderful foot tapping entertainment from a superb band!” (The Hoste of Jazz)

Tickets £19 & £23
To book either call 0844 264 2140 or go online to
www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

MUSICIANS LOVE ST. JAMES
“St. James Studio is a fine new jazz venue for London.” Keith Nichols

“St. James Studio is an ideal space for performer and audience alike for an
intimate evening of jazz. A real joy” Simon Brown

“What a terrific venue! Excellent sound, great piano, excellent sound man, helpful staff. I have played at St. James Studio several times over the last couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed it. A professionally run and deservedly successful venue – a very welcome addition to the London jazz scene.” Mark Crooks

AUDIENCES LOVE ST. JAMES
and “The Wonderful Music of  The Jazz Greats” Series

“I think the venue is the best in London for a jazz ‘club’. Small, intimate and with a feeling of New York. Almost as if at any time Woody Allen may drop in on his way back from the editing suite”

”Brilliant evening. Great time had by all.”
“Fantastic night”
“Wonderful atmosphere”
“The musicians were awesome”
“One of the best nights out we’ve had in ages”
“Thanks for a fantastic evening”
“The venue is ideal”

Spoilt for choice?

Consult Tad Newton: [email protected]
Tel: 01604 858549
http://www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com

See also: September/December Jazz at The Walnut Tree, Blisworth

See also: Bedford Jazz Fans – Get Your Feet Tapping to The Ben Holder Quartet!

See also: Tad Newton’s JazzFriends at The Spice of Life

See full October Programme for Jazz at The Castle, Wellingborough

Tad Newton: [email protected]
Tel: 01604 858549
http://www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com

Celebrating the Ken Colyer Heritage

I always take pleasure in featuring The Autumn Jazz Parade at Hemsby. It was the first festival I went to back in 2008 after a long absence from jazz (the picture above was one of my early photos for Jazz&Jazz). Plus, in 2009 my wife won the Trust’s Star Draw first prize – a brilliant Southern Sounds trip for two to New Orleans in 2010 for the French Quarter Festival. Whilst there I met and have stayed in touch with a number of New Orleans’ greatest musicians.

That got me right back into jazz and I launched Jazz&Jazz in an endeavour to give something back. Plus I launched my Jazz&Jazz YouTube Channel which features bands and musicians from around the world with over 150 subscribers and close on to 100,000 views. Below are YouTubes from last year’s Autumn Parade.

My special thanks also go to Festival Organiser Pete Lay who has been consistent in his support for Jazz&Jazz.

Still Time to Book – Just!

So this is a special last minute plug for all you “Johnny Come Latelys”. Book now for this year’s festival to enjoy hot bands including bill toppers Denmark’s “Doc Houlind’s New Orleans Jazzmen”

Doc Houlind’s New Orleans Jazzmen: Didier Geers (drums); Peter Goetz (trombone); Brian Turnock (bass); Ebbe Kærsgaard Hansen (Banjo); Lis Krøyer (piano); Doc Houlind (vocals / trumpet); Jesper Capion Larsen (clarinet) (Photo Courtesy of Doc Houlind Band)

Other bands include the Festival New Orleans All Stars, The Golden Eagle Jazz Band, The Gambit Jazzmen, John Shillito Band, Dave Rae’s Levee Ramblers, plus Andrew Hall’s Memories of New Orleans.

The Golden Eagle Jazz Band

Mike Pointon

My Jazz&Jazz portrait of Ray and Eric

Special guests will feature Mike Pointon (MC and trombone), Ray Smith (piano) and Parade fans’ all time favourite banjoist, Eric Webster.

There will of course be the indispensable Brolly Parades, Jam Sessions and the fully stocked bar.

Seacroft Holiday Village, Beach Road, Hemsby, Norfolk, NR29 4HR

Price per person:

Standard Room £189
Standard Plus £199
Min 2 Premier Single Supplement £5 p.p. per night.

Bookings: 01493 809938
Seacroft Holiday Village – 01493 733610

Contact Pete Lay for any other information: 01737 822726

Three of my Jazz&Jazz YouTubes from Autumn Jazz Parade, 2014

Plus one more I just couldn’t resist. Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle. Listen out for the canine accompaniment. Thanks go to Pete Lay for helping launch Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle back in 2011 and for his continued support.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Raising Funds For

“It seems unbelievable that it was barely two years ago that I started ‘JAZZ4FUNDS’ to help Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, and even more unbelievable that the total is fast heading towards our target of £3,000!!! All while we have been seeing some really good performances at reasonable cost, in a really good comfortable venue and with drinks over 50% cheaper
than pub prices!”

Don’t miss out on this Doc Houlind Special!

Ring me asap 01524 855770 or email: [email protected]

ALWAYS REMEMBER “GOOD MUSIC MAKES GOOD FRIENDS”!

Thanks for supporting us.

Norman Gibson
(Supporter of Lancaster Boys & Girls Club)