All set for the 2013 Jazz Fest

Trevor Stent recently emailed me from Brittany, France, where he leads a successful traditional Anglo-French jazz group called “Good Time Jazz”. But that’s just the beginning!

He asked if he could join Jazz&Jazz and my facebook Jazzers Group. He went on to tell me about his involvement in “Fest Jazz”, a hugely successful jazz festival at Chateauneuf du Faou. In fact so successful that Just Jazz magazine dedicated a two page feature to the Jazz Fest in their November issue which is a must read.

So can Trevor join in on Jazz&Jazz and Jazzers? You bet he can! And I look forward to receiving contributions from him.

In fact, no chance of me saying ‘no’ when his bass player is my namesake Peter Butler. Nowadays better known as “Pikey” Butler, he originally hails from Kent where I first got into jazz all those years ago!

L to R: Peter Butler, Sophie Butler and Trevor Stent – All That Jazz

But that’s just scratching the surface! Dig deeper and you’ll find that Trevor’s Jazz Fest isn’t just a successful festival, it’s inspirational. Why? Because it appeals to youngsters – teenagers AND children. They are doing for jazz just what I pleaded for in the UK (and in the USA for that matter) in my August Just Jazz article: “I want to play jazz like that!” Analysing the Jazz Scene – Past, Present and Future”.

And then there is “Jazz à l’Ecole”! As Trevor explains: “For three years we have toured the local schools and given concerts but also explained the history of the music in the context of the history of the USA. In our local college here in Châteauneuf-du-Faou, jazz is now even integrated into the curriculum of the school.”

Starting young! (Photo©Bob Naylor WaterMarx.co.uk)

Who says nothing good comes out of France? With just a little Anglo influence admittedly. See for yourselves, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv_AEeS8pQQ

I’ve said enough, especially as Trevor has offered to “write the occasional article” for Jazz&Jazz. So over to you Trevor  – tell us more about “Good Time Jazz”, the Chateauneuf du Faou Jazz Fest, the other bands at the festival and especially about next year’s festival to be held over the weekend of 26th, 27th and 28th July.

Go to: www.fest-jazz.com and hit the Union Jack top right for the English translation.
And: www.fest-jazz.com/english/pages/photos.html to view photographs of the 2012 Jazz Fest
Also Jazz Fest on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestJazz

Impromptu Jam Session (Photo©Jocelyn Lecocq)

The Big Easy Rascals (Photo©Michel Guéchot)

En Plein Air (Photo©Jocelyn Lecocq)

Free spirits! (Photo©Jocelyn Lecocq)

A flower in her hair! (Photo©Philippe Le Sauze)

Starlight Ballroom! (Photo©Fest Jazz Châteauneuf du Faou)

In time to the music? (Photo©C.Vandier)

Dennis Harrison (Blue Mags), is organising a trip to Fest Jazz  next year.  The dates are 26th, 27th, and 28th July 2013. The cost is £300pp, based on two people sharing, which includes coach, ferry, hotel, stroller tickets for three days. Anyone interested should contact Dennis by email or phone.   Email address is [email protected]  and phone number is 07710881108. Numbers are limited to 50 places.

“The Old Green River Band is one of the most exciting bands I’ve heard in ages. Their music could be described as ‘New Orleans meets RnB’.… I think few bands come closer to the true spirit of New Orleans.” (Peter Kings, p.e.k. Sound)

Martin Bennett’s Old Green River Band will be centre stage at a vital fund raising event for The Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford, on Thursday, 21 February, 2013.

Three months away, maybe, but events for worthy causes merit early publicity.

The Cannock Cricket Club will field the event and the players will take to the floodlit stage at 8.00pm. In the clubhouse mind you, sheltered from a likely February chill which might otherwise stop play.

Jazz musicians might be just as prepared to play in inclement conditions as cricketers but also like cricketers, they are fickle enough to draw the line at 8.00pm on a winter’s evening.

Not so Martin Bennett’s team! They are prepared to brave the elements – in the comfort of the very hospitable clubhouse that is!

So don’t miss out. Make a note of the date now: 8pm on Thursday, 21 February, 2013, at the Cannock Cricket Club, The Morris Ground, Church Lane, Cannock WS11 1RR. Near Walsall.

Tickets £10. Telephone Janice on 01543 570348 to make your bookings.

Cannock Cricket Club

Royal National College for the Blind

Royal National College for the Blind beneficiaries

Don’t miss The Old Green River Band at The 100 Club, Oxford Street, London,
12 noon on Thursday, 13th December, 2012.

And again at The Peartree Jazz Club, Welwyn Garden City, Herts,
8.30pm on Monday, 21st January, 2013

Jazz&Jazz recently introduced New Orleans Band
Some Like it Hot to jazz fans with information about their upcoming gigs. Now its time to feature their brand new CD. “Joy of Dixieland”.

Introducing the CD the band wrote: “You have heard of the Joy of Cooking and the Joy of Sex, now we have the Joy of Dixieland!

Thanks to Dean Shapiro for the great review!”

Some Like It Hot

Joy of Dixieland

Independent

Like the movie of the same name, the Some Like It Hot band plays what was once known as “hot music” in the old Dixieland style that originated right here in New Orleans more than a century ago. On this, their fi rst full-length CD, recorded live at Buffa’s Lounge, they perform traditional lively, toe-tapping songs that just make you feel good when you hear them, which is precisely their intent. Kaye Caldwell, the group’s founder, leads the way with finely polished trumpet and vocal work, and the rest of the band members also shine on their respective instruments: Eric Shuman (clarinet), Ron Kennedy (banjo and vocals), Janice Medlock (trombone and piano), “Lil Josephine” (bass) and Nita Hemeter (drums). The 15 tracks are largely familiar standards like “St. Louis Blues,” “Avalon,” “Bye Bye Blackbird” and others but, despite their familiarity, the group succeeds in stamping each one with its own styling and arrangement. Their treatment of “St. James Infirmary” is in a much faster tempo than the original and every other version recorded since then but, it actually works well, especially with a few new lyrics added by the band. And, not being a big Piaf fan, I had some trepidation about hearing “La Vie en Rose” but Medlock’s artistry on the 88’s and Shuman’s melodic clarinet work made this track stand out. The one shortcoming on this record is a problem I’m finding with a number of locally recorded albums lately: the bass track is barely audible, even on the solos. Recording engineers really need to be attuned to this when doing their mic-ing or mixing or both. Otherwise it’s a great first outing for a group that’s doing its part to keep the old New Orleans sound alive. Think about gifting it as a stocking stuffer this Holiday Season!

Dean M. Shapiro

To order a copy of the CD or contact the band, email Nita Hemeter: [email protected]

Martin Bennett Leader of The Old Green River Band.

Rocking and Stomping along The Old Green River! Unravel the riddle to discover the three great bands appearing at The Peartree Jazz Club, Welwyn Garden City, in November, December and January.

Then book the dates in your diary: Mondays, 19th November, 17th December and 21st January.

Here is the full programme. Great jazz, great musicians and great bands to lift fans’ spirits and banish the winter blues.

In November we welcome back Peartree favourites Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band. Watch our for Brian Webb’s ‘Me and Jane in a Plane’! In December Dennis Vick’s Fenny Stompers are back for another of their Christmas Spectaculars. Guesting with them and making a very welcome first appearance at The Peartree will be Trefor Williams, bassist supreme who has starred as a mainstay with Phil Mason, Max Collie and Chris Barber and tours regularly with Sammy Rimington’s International Jazz Band.

Then to truly blast away the January gloom Peartree fans can look forward to “one of the most exciting bands I’ve heard … their music could be described as New Orleans meets RnB … few bands come closer to the true spirit of New Orleans” (Peter Kings, p.e.k. Sound). Indeed, who wouldn’t brave the January elements for a Peartree session with Martin Bennett’s Old Green River Band!

So don’t miss out on any of these jazz spectaculars at The Peartree. Just turn up each month, sit back, raise a glass, even dance a little and enjoy!

  Masthead illustration taken from commissioned Jazz&Jazz portrait by Peter Butler of
Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band.

‘Some Like it Hot’ starring Janice Medlock (trombone), Kaye Caldwell (trumpet), Carol Stuckey (bass), Ron Kennedy (banjo), Eric Shuman (clarinet) and Nita Hemeter (drums)

Exciting news for anyone New Orleans bound this Fall! Some Like it Hot will be starring at Mojitos Rum Bar, right on Esplanade Ave, where Frenchmen Street starts, along with the other venues listed below.

Some Like it Hot is a New Orleans Dixieland Jazz Band that was formed from a love of traditional jazz. Says Nita Hemeter, “We sure hope some of you can make at least one of our gigs. You can get home at a reasonable hour after having a great meal and listening to some awesome New Orleans Traditional Jazz.”

Not so many lady jazz musicians around these days? Well in this band they outnumber the fellas on a ratio of two to one!  And take a look at them – attractive gals and good looking gents – who says trad jazz is just for old fogeys?

Full programme 

Buffas Jazz Brunch: Every Sunday 11am-2pm
Mojitos:  Monday Oct 29th 6-9pm
Maison:  Thursday Nov 1 7-10pm
Mojitos: Saturday Nov 10th – Brunch 12:30-3:30pm
Mojitos: Saturday Nov 17th 12:30-3:30pm
Palmer Park Arts Market: Saturday Nov 24th 1-3:30pm

To find out more about the band and their extensive traditional repertoire visit Some Like it Hot on the web.

Thank you, Nita, for allowing Jazz&Jazz to share this with jazz fans in the UK, Europe and around the world! Who knows who might be heading for New Orleans this fall?

Welwyn Garden City’s Peartree Jazz Club welcomed Dennis Vick’s Fenny Stompers back for a rip roaring evening of grade A jazz and fun on Monday, 17th September.

This time around the band included three guest musicians, Ken Sims on cornet, famed for his days with Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band, John Pinkerton of JP Jazz on saxophone and Andrew Hutchinson on his mellow toned electric bass.

Andrew Hutchinson on Electric Bass

Brian Vick

Dennis was on his usual top form, putting his clarinet aside every so often to entertain Peartree fans with his wit and repartee. It has to be said, however, that his brother Brian on banjo is a match for him any day in the crooning department!

Ken Joyner

Ken Sims

John Pinkerton

Brian Vick

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)