Just what could that be all about?

Here is a preview but best you spend a pleasant afternoon in Covent Garden, London, on Thursday, 19th June, to experience this unique occasion for yourselves. You’ll need to be there in good time for the ceremony which starts at 4.30pm.

The Covent Garden Marching Band, June, 2013

It’s all about collecting rents!

“The annual Rent Ceremony is a weird and wonderful occasion when the Chairman and Trustees march around the Piazza, accompanied by the Town Crier and a jazz band, to pay the “peppercorn rents” of five red apples and five posies of flowers for the buildings, known as The Protected Lands, on which the Trust owns a 150-year headlease.” (Covent Garden Area Trust Website) 

The Covent Garden Jazz Marching Band has been taking part in the Rent Ceremony for 17 years. A “somewhat unique one off group”, the band started out with just six musicians but last year boasted fifteen.

Centre stage – Emile Martyn on Drums, 2013

This year the band will include:

Trumpets/Cornets: Digby Fairweather, John Keen, Chris Hodgkins and John Wacher.
Reeds: Julian Mark Stringle, Eric Gilchrist and John Evans.
Trombones: Chris Gower, Phil Brown and Tim Wacher.
Banjo: Alan Bradley.
Sousaphone: John Beecham.
Drums: Don Cook and Emile Martyn.
Vocals: John Barnes

Digby Fairweather and Julian Mark Stringle

Tim Wacher organises the New Orleans style marching band and informs me the march sets off at 4.30pm from 13, New Row, Covent Garden WC2 (the offices of the Covent Garden Area Trust – opposite Waterstones) and ambles down King Street and around the Piazza – paying rents along the way, pausing outside the Punch and Judy Pub and finishing in the North Hall of the Market for a couple of short speeches.

“Quite a Big Sound”
They then adjourn to the South Courtyard of the Market (outside the Crusting Pipe) where, after a short interval, they play a second (stationary!) set for about an hour, finishing around 6.30pm. This features their excellent guest players – Digby Fairweather, Julian Mark Stringle, Chris Gower, John Beecham et al.

Tim has asked me along to film the band for Jazz&Jazz. He tells me “It’s quite a big sound due to the acoustics of Covent Garden Market roof and a lot of fun”.

Jazz&Jazz covered the march last year and featured my colleague, Laurence Cumming’s photos. Hopefully Laurence will join me this year for more photos. Visit  “A Weird and Wonderful Occasion!”

 Peter M Butler
Editor and Owner of Jazz&Jazz

(Photos courtesy of Laurence Cumming)

The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band. Matt Palmer (reeds), Terry Williams (trombone), Brian Lawrence (bass), Peter Brown (trumpet), Chris Etherington (banjo), Jack Cotterill (drums).

Gone are the days when Blisworth Hotel accommodated passengers on Robert Stephenson’s first, now defunct, railway line between London and Birmingham. Gone too are the days when the hotel’s ballroom was one of Northamptonshire’s popular night spots, promoting artists such as Gary Moore, Hawkwind and Deep Purple.

But not so Jazz!

Now known as The Walnut Tree Inn, the hotel is home to Live Jazz every Sunday lunchtime, along with Jazz Specials throughout the year, presented by Tad Newton.

The very next session is this coming Sunday, 20th April at 12.00 noon – with Chris Pearce’s Frenchman Street Jazz Band and special guest trombonist Richard Leach. An Easter Special with lunches available so don’t miss out!  Just £8 – pay on the door. 

Chris Pearce’s Frenchman Street Band

But what of that Midnight Choo Choo?

None other than Matt Palmer’s Millennium Eagle Jazz Band starred at Blisworth back in March and “The Midnight Choo Choo” was just one of their numbers which Jazz&Jazz was privileged to capture on YouTube.

I’ve posted two versions of this YouTube. The first version is High Definition and the second version is Standard Definition. I would would be interested in receiving opinions on the quality of each version.

High Definition:

Standard Definition:

Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

Millennium Eagle will be starring at Big Bear Music’s 3rd Solihull Jazz Festival:
23rd / 26th May.
For further information please contact Big Bear Music, PO Box 944, Birmingham, B16 8UT
Tel: 0121 454 7020 Email: [email protected]

Good News from New Orleans is always welcome, particularly
during the French Quarter Festival in full swing this weekend.
And especially when it’s introducing a brand new band playing early New Orleans jazz. This comes from Nita Hemeter, a very good friend of Jazz&Jazz.

“Wanted to let you know The Sweet Substitute Jazz Band is performing at the French Quarter Festival’s Battle of the Bands. We will be playing some of the songs we perform on Friday nights at Buffas. Buffas is always fun with great traditional Jazz and of course tasty food and cheap drinks!”

• Ryan Robertson – Trumpet and Vocals
• Chad Mo Moore – Clarinet
• Nicholas Snyder – Banjo and Vocals
• Brandon Brunious – Bass
• Nita Hemeter – Drums
• Janice Medlock – Trombone, Piano and Vocals
• Li’l Josephine – Bass
• Bob Marquart – Trumpet and Vocals

 Call us any time at 504-865-9792.

To listen to a selection of Sweet Substitute’s tracks visit:

http://sweetsubstitutes.wordpress.com

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN jazz band comprises some the most sought-after and successful musicians on the jazz scene today. Performing a wide range of jazz styles through well crafted arrangements, this band of versatile musicians successfully blends music from every jazz genre into an exciting and approachable package.

Calling on their experience of performing with Europe’s most influential jazz bands of the last sixty years, the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN combines a wealth of experience with youthful exuberance. Paying homage to the great jazz masters of the early jazz period as well as keeping alive the sounds of the swing era, the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN’s repertoire also celebrates the jazz revival of the 1950’s, tipping their hat to the great bands of Barber, Ball and Bilk.

This band takes no prisoners!

LtoR: Ben Cummings (trumpet); Ian Bateman (trombone); Nick Millward (drums); Amy Roberts (clarinet, flute and saxophones); Richard Exall (clarinet and saxophones); Craig Milverton (piano); Bill Coleman (bass)

The MAGNIFICENT SEVEN play a varied repertoire, with compositions and arrangements by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, Errol Garner, Fats Waller, Chucho Valdez, Paquito D’Rivera and many more.

How about inviting Robert Vaughn along to a gig, Richard?

Stay glued to Jazz&Jazz for news about their future concerts.

The MAGNIFICENT SEVEN are currently featured artists on http://www.bookajazzband.com
Contact: [email protected]

OUT OF COURTESY TO TUBA SKINNY’S AGENTS I HAVE BEEN AWAITING OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF TUBA SKINNY’S 2014 UK TOUR. HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE MANY CALLS AND COMMENTS JAZZ&JAZZ HAS RECEIVED ABOUT THE CANCELLATION, WE ARE NOW IMPELLED TO CONFIRM THE CANCELLATION AND UPDATE THIS POST WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT POSTED BY ERIKA LEWIS ON TUBA SKINNY’S FACEBOOK PAGE:

“So, we’ve been scrambling to come up with a tour in the UK this summer, but unfortunately, do not have the funds necessary to make it there and back. We are hoping that next summer will provide the opportunities to make it happen. Thanks to all who have encouraged us to come over, hopefully we will see you next year!”

Yes, Erika, let’s hope for next year. The UK JAZZ COMMUNITY truly want Tuba Skinny to tour the UK and would be only too willing to help make it happen.

*** *** ***

The uppermost aim of Jazz&Jazz is to keep jazz live and alive! Key to this is our aim to promote new bands, emerging bands, YOUNG BANDS.

Tuba Skinny – their sound evokes the rich musical heritage of New Orleans

Tuba Skinny is just such a band. They are rapidly honing their skills in the true roots of authentic jazz. Tuna Skinny are dynamite. 

Given their website introduction, the band can’t fail to be music to the ears of lovers of New Orleans Revivalist Jazz:

“Formed in in 2009, Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the world. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences—from spirituals to Depression-era blues,  from ragtime to traditional jazz—their sound evokes the rich musical heritage of their New Orleans home. The band has gained a loyal following through their distinctive sound, their commitment to reviving long-lost songs, and their barnstorming live performances.”

So, anticipating a Tuba Skinny UK tour next year, it should be imperative that we do not miss out on the opportunity of welcoming them as part of the 2015 UK jazz scene. With real jazz resurgent in New Orleans and amongst younger groups in the UK the opportunity could and should be seized to rebuild jazz bridges to their former glory. For instance, to the days when George Lewis toured the UK with our formidable bands of his era. And in return his UK protege Sammy Rimington played in Preservation Hall with him.

Tuba Skinny is: Erika Lewis, Vocals; Todd Burdick, Tuba; Bobby Browne, Guitar & Tenor Banjo; Shaye Cohn, Cornet; Barnabus Jones, Trombone; Robin Rapuzzi, Washboard;
John Doyle, Clarinet

Live set, ABC National Radio, Sydney, Australia: http://goo.gl/cT0Ptr

Tuba Skinny with Erika Lewis on vocals performing at Louisiana Busker Fest in Abita Springs, La 22.4.2013: http://goo.gl/okgl6I

Stills courtesy of ABC, Australia.

See also: Introducing Tuba Skinny! Flying the Flag for a New Era of New Orleans Jazz Bands.

INFORMATION & BOOKINGS

email: [email protected] 

Tickets available on line:  http://www.uptonjazz.co.uk

By phone:  01684 593254

By post:  18 Riverside Close, Upton-Upon-Severn,
Worcestershire WR8 0JN

www.uptonjazz.co.uk

See Also: Sammy Rimington: A Life in Pictures

Perhaps only a few esoteric Blues fans will recall this early 1920’s Duke Ellington number.

Except for Big Chris Barber Band fans who will have heard trombonist Bob Hunt’s spectacular arrangement especially for the band.

Here Chris announces East St Louis Toodle-Ou at a recent concert in this, his 65th year as a bandleader and his 60th year leading his own Chris Barber Bands.

East St Louis Toodle-Oo 

Duke Ellington & His Kentucky Club Orchestra first recorded East St Louis Toodle-Oo in New York way back on March 14th, 1927.

Chris Barber

Bob “Ironside” Hunt

Top row, left to right: Chris Barber, Bob Hunt, Mike Henry, Peter Rudeforth, Richard Exall
Bottom row, left to right: Amy Roberts, Bert Brandsma, Joe Farler, Jackie Flavelle, Gregor Beck

 Be sure to visit The Duke Ellington Songbook to learn more of that glorious era recaptured so successfully by The Big Chris Barber Band.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor
Jazz & Jazz