It was a privilege to film French Rag at Fest Jazz 2016. They not only won the Battle of Jericho, they won the hearts and minds of the discerning Fest Jazz fans, including mine.

And now they plan to win hearts and minds in the UK with a 2017 tour.
So, more about the band.

First the eight piece line up:

Mickaël Knockaert (Trumpet/Bugle)
Gordon Ortenzio (Sax)
Constant Sajaloli (T-bone)
Vincent Evrard (Guitar/Banjo)
Antoine Rivière (Guitar/Banjo)
Jonas Umbdenstock (Double Bass)
Marc Devillers (Washboard)
Marc-Antoine Moercant (Drums)

French Rag play with a joyful and explosive energy drawn from the deepest origins of jazz! On their website they describe themselves as “The French Rag Old School Jass Band” and immediately follow up that description with this amazing YouTube:

Another French Rag teaser – notice especially their young fans and the dancers:

Plus “The French Rag aux Paris Follies de la Coupole”

Thanks go to Marc Devillers for sending me these impressive YouTubes in preparation for
French Rag’s 2017 UK Tour
scheduled from Friday 27 October until Sunday, 5th November.

This is a great opportunity for UK Jazz Clubs and promoters to get in on the act. One promoter with connections to this website has already made an offer. French Rag would be sure to add a new dimension to Jazz UK – and who knows, fastidiously promoted they could well appeal to many younger fans.

Register Your Interest
So, UK Jazz Clubs, Venues and Promoters, here’s how to register your interest. Address enquiries direct to French Rag by email to Marc Devillers: [email protected] – preferably copied to me at: [email protected]. Views and options could also be submitted in “Speak Your Mind” below.

Surely an opportunity not to be missed!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

French Rag on Facebook

“The classy and enjoyable sounds of jazz with Lula Jazz Band will enhance your event!”

Matthew Bason (piano); Paul Taverna (sax); Danilo Palazzese (drums); Richard Clarke (guitar) Jamie Wilkins (bass); AND “our energetic and passionate singer Vilija Leitanaitė”

Vilija Leitanaitė

Lula Jazz Band emailed me: “Hi Peter we a jazz band based in Milton Keynes and we were wondering if you could list us on your website. Here you can find a our social network pages and website. Please let me know what we require in order to be listed.”

[Read more…]

Booked for 8.00pm, Saturday, 10th December:

The Imperial Jazz Band

Ramsgate Small Boat Owners Club House,
Guildford Lawns, Ramsgate, CT11 9AY

Band Leader Robin Beam

Pete Leonard on Trumpet

Phil Durell Banjo

Chris Thompson on Bass

John Finch guesting on trumpet

Alan Cresswell on Clarinet

Tickets including buffet: £12-00

Hotline: 01227 361238

You’ll come now!

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle on Facebook

Feature Photo: Robin Beam with his pride and joy!

Old Chaps Jazz Band hails from Lille in France. I wonder if they would love jazz clubs in England as much as they “Love Paris”. Or better yet, if England would love Old Chaps who were voted the fans’ favourite at Fest Jazz in 2015 and were invited back to Châteauneuf-du-Faou this year where I filmed this YouTube:

Dréo de Lille is their Songstress, Louis Thomas is on Trumpet; Jul’ Bédrine, Tenor Sax; Vince Evrard, Guitar; Benoît Luchier, Contrebasse; and Nicolas Wroblewski, Drums.

Like others amongst our new generation of jazz bands, Old Chaps play a mix of music, introducing numbers of their own in with their selection of original New Orleans numbers. In France it ensures them a solid fan base – youngsters and “oldies”. How about the soundtrack below!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(YouTube © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

 

Lizy Exell emailed me:

“Hi Peter

“Just writing to let you know that Old Hat have recorded our first album called The Sparrow. Each member of the band has written a tune or more on the album, comprising 13 original tracks inspired by the sounds and energy of the 20s and 30s jazz we have been playing together for four years.

The Old Hat Jazz Band

The Sparrow is our interpretation of early jazz. Tuned into our four year journey with the band and our immersion into the roots and sounds of jazz, each Old Hat musician has written one or more numbers on the album. The album comes in a beautiful digi-pack with cover art by Dimi Shoe. It includes unlimited streaming of The Sparrow via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.”

“You can hear The Sparrow here: oldhatjazzband.bandcamp.com.

“We hope you like what you hear and it would be fantastic if you could share it on Jazz&Jazz.”

Lizy
Band Leader / Drummer

Lizy, your wish is granted!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz