The May edition of Just Jazz will mark the monthly magazine’s 20th Anniversary.
The April edition includes an article by Jim McIntosh (extracts below) reflecting on the Editorial Team’s experiences in publishing the magazine each and every month “in the face of adversity from the Internet”.
Jim, 2011, at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle.
“The May Edition will mark the 20th Anniversary of Just Jazz. Little did we (Pete Lay, Mike and Sylvia Murtagh, Jim Pack, myself, and a few months later John Rickard) know what we were letting ourselves in for! …………
“One of the early topics was whether jazz bands should sit down or not. The general consensus of opinion was that bands should stand up, as they did in the Trad Boom. …… present day young bands from New Orleans sit down apart from the string bass and the odd wash-boardist. A recent topic was whether one of these groups should tour the UK and “save” us. Altogether now: ‘Why are we waiting??’
“One of the most daunting challenges of producing Just Jazz was (is) the ever-changing face of computer technology. In 2000, the Phil Mason band played for about five weeks in Australia, and how (with myself in Australia, Pete Lay and the rest of the team in the UK) we ever got that month’s issue out remains a bit of a blur. I do remember begging the help of a top Melbourne design agency. One guy, being a jazz fan who actually knew of Ashley Keating and his Louisiana Shakers, came to the rescue. ………
Grand Marshal Jimbo leads the Autumn Parade
“The death of John Rickard was a great loss to the team, as was Jim Pack. So now we are Mike and Sylvia Murtagh, Pete Lay and myself. With a lot of help from our friends, we are still going strong, despite the loss of many superb contributors. Happily, we still have many great writers and photographers sending their stuff in – and long may they continue to do so…
“Please keep sending us your stories, new items and photographs.” (To: The Editor, Just Jazz, 92 Mid Street, South Nutfield, Surry RH1 4JH)
Jim McIntosh
The Just Jazz Traditional Jazz Magazine Editorial Team are:
Pete Lay: Editor
Mike Murtagh: Production
Jim McIntosh: Typesetting & Design
(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)
