Celebrating Jazz with Art
Now that the dust has settled on BBC4's "Trad Jazz Britannia" presentation, so far as Jazz&Jazz is concerned, I would like to leave the final word to The Reunion Jazz Band's ace trumpeter, Alan Hippsley. Alan and I have touched base every so often over the months and I have a huge regard for his views on jazz, which he also shares in his … [Read more...]
I'm posting this as a follow up to John Petters' item on my Facebook Jazzers Group regarding his "spat with Ken Palmer" about jazz drumming over the decades. John's item was first featured in his article "Please Read Carefully" in the June issue of Just Jazz Magazine. I commented "I wish we could concentrate on the future of jazz rather than on … [Read more...]
Such was the response on my Facebook Jazzers Group to my feature "Trad Jazz Britannia - Rescheduled by BBC!" that I felt impelled to run this sequel before the programme is broadcast on BBC Four at 9.00pm this coming Friday (24th May). The question at issue focused on "Just Who Introduced Skiffle?" and I especially appreciated Britain's … [Read more...]
No sooner had Martin Bennett broken the sad news about Ron McKay's passing on 3rd May than Jazzers buzzed with tributes to his enormous contribution to British Jazz. Despite his huge stage presence and popularity, Ron was a very private man and his wife Val honoured his wishes for a private funeral. Trefor Williams, his partner in arms for many … [Read more...]
Jeff Matthews, leader of the Chicago Swing Katz recently wrote to me "Something occurs to me about jazz club devotees these days. Sadly, most are 70 plus and some considerably older. This is mirrored around the clubs wherever you go. In the next five years a vast swathe of that loyal audience will disappear. Actually a more serious situation than … [Read more...]
Back in the 1950s Bob Thomas was a neighbour of Terry Lightfoot's in Potters Bar. A jazz musician and band leader himself, Bob has wonderful memories of those days and of Terry's rise to stardom. I have been a fan of New Orleans jazz for most of my life and my first 78rpm record was Louis Armstrong playing "Basin Street Blues" which I bought in … [Read more...]
Syd Appleton pays a fond farewell to Kenny Ball It was at about 2pm on Tuesday, 19th March, that the wicker basket coffin containing my Boss of 13 years and acquaintance of 35 years was lowered into his final resting place on a hill overlooking his beloved Essex. There have been plenty of column inches and TV coverage outlining Kenny’s humble … [Read more...]
Forward Today, the very day I completed this series of Jazzers' Debates, Kenny Ball passed away. As I wrote in a recent article in Just Jazz magazine, times have changed since the 1950s and 1960s when Kenny, along with Acker Bilk, kept jazz at the top of the charts. My longing and motivation is to see jazz restored those former heights. Peter … [Read more...]
EXAMINING FUTURE PROSPECTS Jazzers' Debate No 1 Younger Jazz Bands and Musicians Initiator Peter Mark Butler The best introduction to my one of my recent Jazz&Jazz features is from an email I received today from my close friend Ray in Castaic, California: "Good interview with Trefor Williams. One observation from a jazz … [Read more...]
EXAMINING FUTURE PROSPECTS Jazzers' Debate No 2 A Jazz Festival for Younger Bands? Jazz Camps for Novice Musicians? Initiator DixieMix Jazzband I just thought "Maybe us youngsters should start a jazz festival promoting younger bands?" But then that bypasses why I love playing the music so much - I get to share a stage, … [Read more...]