Pete Lay recently posted in Fred Burnett’s JazzNorthWest News Update this immensely sad news:

“It is with regret that I have to tell you the sad news about the passing of our good friend and jazzer Jim Pack (Jimbo). He passed away at around 4.00am this morning (December 16th).
Here’s to Jimbo.”

Jimbo’s Funeral
 Jim’s funeral will be at the Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End Road, BR3 4TD
at 3.45pm on Thursday, January 21st 2016.

I have much to thank Jimbo for. He regularly lead the Umbrella Parade at the Hemsby Autumn Jazz Parade and back in 2008, shortly after I had rediscovered my jazz roots, I so much admired his energy and flamboyance, that he inspired one of my first jazz paintings.

So in his honour I simply had to feature the painting again here, along with the poem his jaunty style inspired. Jimbo wrote the most wonderful letter of thanks to me when I presented him with a Giclée Print of the painting and poem. Regrettably after our recent house move I haven’t yet been able to lay my hands on it.

Good Time Jazz

Skipping to the rhythm
Dapper and trim
Grand Marshall Jimbo
Leads the parade
Dazzling with gusto.
New Orleans Jazz
And brollies on show.

Braced against a cool October breeze, sprightly Grand Marshal Jimbo leads the Umbrella Parade
at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Jazz Festival in Hemsby, Norfolk,
where Good Time Jazz was enjoyed by one and all. 

When I launched jazzandjazz.com, Jimbo’s portrait and poem simply had to be one of the first posts back in February, 2012

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2009 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved

“Denmark’s leading male jazz vocalist,
on the verge of an international breakthrough”
– Michael Bo, Politiken

TOUR DATES

FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY 7.30pm

CINNAMON CLUB, ALTRINCHAM

Tel: 0161 926 8992

••• ••• •••

SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 11am

JAZZ ON A WINTER’S WEEKEND, SOUTHPORT

Tel: 01704 541790

••• ••• •••

SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 1.30pm

SEVEN ARTS, LEEDS

Tel: 0113 26 26 777

••• ••• •••

FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY 8pm

THE LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE

Tel: 0844 406 8666

••• ••• •••

SATURDAY 13th FEBRUARY 7pm

PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB, SOHO, LONDON

Tel: 0845 6027 017

••• ••• •••

SATURDAY 13th FEBRUARY 10pm

PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB, SOHO, LONDON

Tel: 0845 6027 017

••• ••• •••

SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY 7pm

PIZZA EXPRESS MUSIC ROOM, MAIDSTONE

Tel: 0845 6027 017

Mads Mathias – vocals/tenor sax,
Peter Rosendal – piano,
Morten Ankarfeldt – bass,
James Maddren – drums
(except 07/02 Steve Hanley – drums).

“A truly gifted artist”

– Brian Blain, London Jazz News

Already a star in his native Denmark, singer, songwriter and saxophonist Mads Mathias has captured the hearts of music lovers with his charismatic performances, spirited personality and creative original songs, leading Gaffa to describe him as “an international star in the making“.

Inspired and influenced by the great jazz vocalists of the past and present from Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra to Harry Connick Jr, and with a deep respect for the crooner tradition, Mathias is nevertheless an original talent with a unique and effortlessly charming vocal delivery and a skill for writing catchy and memorable, stylishly crafted tunes with the feel of timeless swing-era classics.

Mathias returns to the UK after a sold-out debut tour in 2015, with a programme of music from his album ‘Free Falling’, (which won him the award for ‘Best New Jazz Act’ at the Danish Music Awards), plus new songs from his forthcoming album alongside well-loved and lesser-known standards.

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM ‘FREE FALLING’ HERE

For interviews, further information, promotional CD’s

Email: Sue Edwards

at Sue Edwards Management

www.madsmathias.com