Acker receives his APPJAG award from Moira Stewart

Jazz&Jazz wishes to join others in expressing huge delight at the presentation of the 2012 Special All Party Parliamentary Jazz (APPJAG) Award to Acker Bilk on Wednesday, 16th May.

And who better to describe Acker’s delight than his Personal Manager, Pamela Sutton:

“Acker had a great night at the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards on Wednesday, 16th May. PPL really looked after him as he was escorted through all the security checks into The House of Commons. The Awards Ceremony was in the reception room leading on to the Pavilion Terrace. Acker had a good time talking to loads of jazz musicians such as Jamie Cullum, Bobby Wellins, Hump’s old drummer, Laurie Hollaway and so on. You would know them all better than I! He had a good laugh with Lord and Lady Prescott and Lord David Steel. 

“Acker was there to present the Jazz Musician of the Year Award and it went to Bobby Wellins. But the icing on the cake came when Paul Gambaccini asked him to stay on the stage for Moira Stewart to present him with the the 2012 SPECIAL APPJAG AWARD, their highest honour. Acker was genuinely delighted.

“PPL had kept this a real surprise for us all.”

Pamela Frances Sutton
Personal Manager to Acker Bilk MBE

Photos courtesy of
PPL & Photographer Hayley Madden

A record number of MPs and peers, including Arts Minister Ed Vaizey MP, The Rt Hon The Lord Prescott and Lord David Steel, all members of  The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, attended the Jazz Awards, sponsored by PPL.  Now the only UK jazz awards, the night was hosted by broadcaster Paul Gambaccini. Many renowned jazz musicians were present, including Acker, Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, and Laurie Holloway.

“Acker Bilk became the household name of jazz, with his hit, ‘Stranger on the Shore’ in 1961. It was in the charts for 55 weeks and was the first number 1 hit in the UK and USA simultaneously. A great master of the clarinet, known for his trademark goatee beard, bowler hat, striped waistcoat and breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register clarinet style, we are very proud to honour one of the most successful British jazz musicians ever, and still going strong today!” (SMIA)

The Savoy Jazzmen: L to R Barry Palser, Peter Baker, Mike Cotton, Tony Pitt and Tony Teale

The Peartree Monday Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City welcomed back Barry Palser and his Savoy Jazz Band on 21st May. Always favourites with Peartree fans, the band included two Acker Bilk stars, trumpeter Mike Cotton and banjoist Tony Pitt. And who needs drums when Tony Pitt is around! In Barry’s own words, it was as ever “All Good Stuff!”. Indeed, just as it has been since he first formed Barry Palser’s Savoy Jazz Men back in 1959.

Barry Palser as dynamic as ever.

Mike Cotton trumpeter supreme.

With Tony Pitt on banjo who needs drums

Tony Teale on sax…

Peter Baker on bass

… and on clarinet

And not forgetting The Peartree's very own "Smiffy" guesting with the band on washboard

[email protected]

Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

TJ Johnson plays The Crypt, St Martin in the Fields, London

24th  November, 2010, was a very special day for me. Not just because it was my birthday (never mind which one!) but also because that day my son Alec and I took in TJJohnson and His Band at The Crypt, St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.

Not just for that reason either but also because that was the day Jazz&Jazz was conceived.

On the journey to London Alec and I discussed a blueprint for the concept. Inspired by TJ’s band that evening, the next day Alec immediately discussed the blueprint with his Tonic Fusion partner, Mike Snow, and very soon Jazz&Jazz was launched.

So now that Jazz&Jazz is well and truly on the jazz map with a mention in the May issue of Just Jazz magazine, I considered it high time to feature “TJ” and His Band with photos I took that night in The Crypt.

After all, his gig added extra inspiration to our ideas for the site. Thank you “TJ”!

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

My good friend, Trefor Williams on bass.

Sky Murphy on trombone and Adrian Cox on Sax.

Roger Myerscough on clarinet

Gentleman Jim on banjo

For good measure, the man himself again.

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle welcomed The New Orleans Z’hulus to Court Stairs Manor and Country Club for their monthly gig on Wednesday, 18th April. Immensely popular at European jazz clubs and festivals, the Belgian band was enthusiastically welcomed by Seaside Shuffle fans with whom they quickly built a warm rapport. The Z’hulus’ repertoire of New Orleans favourites along with a touch of Boogie-woogie evoked sustained, spontaneous acclaim from Shuffle fans. So no need to milk the audience for applause!

Besides which there were two surprise appearances of Seaside Shuffle stalwarts when band leader Brian Turnock invited vocalists Betty Renz and John Myhill to swing along with the Band.

Full details about the Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Festival in July and forthcoming monthly gigs can be found under Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle 2012 Events: Latest News & Updates on the July Festival and Monthly Gigs.

Formed over a quarter of a century ago, The New Orleans Z'Hulus zealously continue to carry the banner for traditional jazz.

Band leader, Brian Turnock

BRIAN TURNOCK (U.K. Belgium), band leader, plays bass and has been a member of the Z’hulus for over 25 years.

Brian has starred with a host of top bands on the New Orleans circuit. Beginning in the sixties with Keith Smith and after many years with Barry Martyn, Brian settled on mainland Europe and worked with Sammy Rimington and Lillian Boutte.

He has recorded with all of the top New Orleans artists ranging from George Lewis and John Handy to Don Ewell and Lil Armstrong.

Dan Vercruysse

DAN VERCRUYSSE (Belgium) Trumpet. Dan has been with the band for the past four years. He brings a calm and authoritative lead to the band and has introduced several new numbers into the band’s repertoire. A resident of Kortrijk he also leads his own group, The Superior Dance Band. As the title suggests he is a great admirer of Bunk Johnson.

Philippe de Smet

PHlLIPPE DE SMET (Belgium) Trombone . One of the founder members of the Z’hulus, in his early days Philippe was heavily influenced by Louis Nelson. So much so that he was invited to dep when the great man look sick during a Swiss tour with Danny Barker’s Band. He is always in great demand both on trombone and his second instrument, the tenor sax.

John Defferary

JOHN DEFFERARY (U.K. Germany) Clarinet. An outstanding reed man, John has graced many of the top bands for almost half a century. His CV includes stints with Papa Bue, Chris Barber and Trevor Richards. He first came to prominence with Keith Smith’s Climax Band in the early sixties which also included Brian Turnock. His association with the Z’hulus goes way back and he starred on the band’s very first recording.

Emile Van Pelt

EMILE VAN PELT (Holland) Piano. An extremely versatile pianist, Emile has worked with several bands in Europe over the years. He has become more familiar with British audiences recently as a member of Sammy Rimington’s International Band. A solid, hard driving pianist in the true New Orleans tradition, he is both an accomplished rhythm man and soloist.

Lielian Tan

LIELIAN TAN (Holland) Drums. The Z’hulus’ drummer is the outstanding Dutch girl, Lielian Tan. A product of the Conservatory in the north of Holland, she is so versatile that she can adapt to many forms of music. Her love for New Orleans music has developed over the past five years from listening to the masters of New Orleans drumming. She has made several tours with the Z’hulus and adds a much needed touch of glamour to the band.

Trumpet and Double Bass

Drums and Clarinet

Betty Renz, far right, who back in 2010 inspired the launch of Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, guests on vocals with The Z'hulus

John Myhill (left), Chairman of The Seaside Shuffle Organising Committee, takes his turn as guest vocalist with The Z'hulus.

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

It’s here! It’s NEW! Banjoist David Price has launched David Price Swing Thing, “a truly swinging affair” starring Dave on Mega Banjo, Tim Huskisson on piano/clarinet, Roger Curphey on double bass and Henry Harrison of Winchester Cathedral fame on drums.

Swing Thing is a professional quartet that’s different to the usual run of the mill and when it comes to David’s Mega Banjo and it’s unique, amplified yet mellow sound – along with his crooning vocals – hearing is believing!

The quartet plays a selection of great jazz classics along with Broadway standards – with some very interesting interpretations.

Essex based, the Quartet is prepared to travel!

Call David on 01277 824616; Email: [email protected]

Welwyn Garden City’s Shamrock Club was packed on Sunday, 18th December, for Barry Palser’s Annual Christmas Party with his Savoy Jazzmen. Always a popular event, jazz fans enjoyed dancing, Heads ‘n’ Tails and Bridget’s delightful mince pies.

Geared up for the gig in Xmas Garb, Barry’s band included Allan Bradley on trumpet, Peter Gregory on banjo and guitar, Peter Baker on Double Bass, John Tyson on drums and special guest from The Chris Barber Big Band, David Horniblow on clarinet and saxophone. Tony Lodges (washboard) and Nobby Clark (vocals) starred in cameo performances.

From top: The Savoy Jazzmen; Barry Palser; David Horniblow; Peter Gregory; Allan Bradley (left); Peter Baker (right); and John Tyson.

(Photos © Peter M Butler)

Richard Bennett (Photo © D J Mastin)

Jazz oldies by far outnumber younger fans and if trad jazz is to make a powerful comeback we need to applaud it’s rising stars.

So JazzandJazz.com seeks to promote and revive the unique ethos of traditional jazz not only by featuring modern day greats but also by focusing on the vitality of its emerging stars.

But Richard Bennett got there first! The Rich Bennett Band includes Richard’s own selection of hand picked younger musicians who share his own exuberant and driving style. Richard’s passion for the New Orleans sound and its revival never fails to fire up audiences all over the UK. Just what’s needed if we are to enthuse a new generation of jazz fans. He and his younger brother Russell are the sons of pianist, vocalist and trombonist Martin Bennett who played with Phil Mason’s New Orleans All Stars.

An extremely exciting trumpet player, fine vocalist and respected band leader, and although based in North Cornwall, Richard is in great demand on jazz circuits and has toured extensively all over Britain and Europe. You can get the latest news about the band and their gigs at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Bennett/262333177113568

Pete Lay, Gambit Jazzmen’s leader and drummer has also starred with Richard, and has now booked The Rich Bennett Band for the Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk, from Friday, 28th September to Monday, 1st October, 2012. Full details can be found under Autumn Jazz Parade 2012.

East Midlands based Reunion Jazz Band will travel south in 2012 to feature at The Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk, from Friday, 28th September to Monday, 1st October.

Left to Right: David Spink bass, Dave Hepworth reeds, George Buckman drums & vocals, Alan Hippsley trumpet, Dave Clewes trombone, Keith Goddard banjo.

The annual festival celebrates the Ken Colyer Heritage and the Reunion Jazz Band is dedicated to the New Orleans style and tradition.

Formed in 1993 the band has seen inevitable changes over the years and today features the six talented musicians named in the photograph above, ably led by George Buckman, an interloper from London better known down south.

When his health was failing some years ago, the late John “Dig” Withall passed the baton on to George. He had travelled north with Jane, his partner and “Drummer’s Moll” (Jane’s own words), when she returned to her roots in Lincolnshire, close to the Nottinghamshire border.

Jane is a cartoonist and illustrates aspects of village life as well as the occasional jazz cartoon. In her self portrait below she depicts herself as  “a drummer’s moll with curly blonde hair”. She might have something to say about this in “Speak your Mind” below! Jane also accepts commissions.

Full details about the Autumn Jazz Parade can be found under Autumn Jazz Parade 2012.

The Drummer's Moll

Alan Hippsley and Dave Hepworth