“Britain’s Leading Exponents of New Orleans Jazz!”
Full Summer Programme at The Castle:
Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com
Celebrating the Joy of Jazz
“Britain’s Leading Exponents of New Orleans Jazz!”
Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com
Richard Elmes and his Steamboat Jazz Band are heading for The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks, on 30th May, after the enthusiastic response to their “Silver Screen” success at
The Astor Theatre, Deal, on 14th May. Best book quickly!
Saturday, 30th May, 8.00pm
Main Theatre, Stag Community Arts Centre,
London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ
Ticket Price: £15, £13c/FoS, £10
A £2 administration fee is charged per sale.
Tel: 01732 450175
Book: Tickets
Full story at “Silver Screen Jazz” A Steamboat Jazz Band Special.
Saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos was born in Athens and began playing the saxophone at 13. He studied music at Athen’s Philippos Nakas Conservatory, gaining experience by playing with some of the top names on the Greek jazz scene. In 1999 he was awarded a jazz scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston MA and later that year he represented Greece in the European Jazz Youth Orchestra.
He moved to London in 2002 and by 2005 he had formed his Quartet, soon establishing himself as one of London’s up and coming jazz saxophonists. He has worked with some of the best musicians on the British jazz scene and on an international level, he has appeared with a variety of top performers such as sensational pianists Hiromi and Jason Lindner.
In 2009 Vasilis formed his current ensemble “The Xtet”. They released their debut album “Loud City” in 2011 to huge acclaim. He has appeared as guest soloist, band leader and as saxophone section leader in jazz venues and festivals throughout the UK and he is currently lead tenor with the Steve Taylor Big Band and with the Ealing based Sound of 17 Big Band.
“One of the most fiery young saxophonists around blazes a path through the hard bop repertoire” (The Times)
”A bright newcomer on alto and tenor saxist Vasilis Xenopoulos”… (Evening Standard)
Vasilis’ explosive style places him in great demand. Plus he will be starring with
Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends, a dynamic band with a great line up, ever popular at The Bedford.
As ever at The Bedford, seats are shifting fast so best book quickly for
8.00pm, Thursday, 28th May.
Telephone Bedford Golf Club: 01234 320022
Emile Martin was heard to exclaim “I told you!” during Brian Turnock’s introduction to The New Orleans Z’hulus’ session at The Blue Posts, Rupert Street, Soho, on Tuesday, 12th May. It was a phenomenally successful gig and the pub was packed full with fans.
Filming for YouTubes would have been nigh on impossible had I not arrived early enough to claim a bar stool and perch precariously at the very front within feet of the band. Even then there was little room to swing a cat let alone a camera such was the crush. But Emile encouraged me when he said: “You’ll manage it, Peter. You usually do!” and later on he arranged it for me to film from behind the bar just in time for guest singer, Bee Ororo.
It was all great fun and my one regret is that I was so close to clarinetist Jesper Capion Larsen during his brilliant rendition of “Burgundy Street Blues” that it was simply impossible to film him. And yet it was a regret tempered by the wonderment of watching really close up his fingers glide smoothly over the keys.
The Blue Posts was the Z’hulus third pitstop during their extensive 2015 UK tour. Get your skates on and you’ll still be able to catch them before the tour ends on 22nd May at Farnborough Jazz Club. Visit The New Orleans Z’hulus 2015 UK Tour Dates
So thank you Brian Turnock, Dan Vercruysse, Philippe de Smet, Emile Van Pelt, Emile Martyn, Jesper Capion Larsen and guest vocalist Bee Ororo.
But now for the YouTube Close Ups and it was such an enthralling gig I can’t resist featuring several of them!
A joyous jazz time was had by one and all!
Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz
(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)
“Stefano Bollani is an Italian pianist and composer of ebullient charm and uncommon sensitivity, whether performing solo or in landmark collaborations with Enrico Rava and Chick Corea. Of his latest release, “Joy in Spite of Everything”, All About Jazz said ‘like a kind of musical contortionist, Stefano Bollani keeps repositioning himself with eye-popping ease. The diversity and eclecticism of Bollani’s projects are reflected in the sweeping breadth
of his vocabulary’.”
The vivacious stage presence of Italian jazz pianist Stefano Bollani is unlike any other. Renowned for his dynamic performances and abundant personality, Bollani will lift the spirit taking the audience on an incredible musical journey through tracks from his album “Joy in Spite of Everything” on Thursday 21 May in Opera North’s Howard Assembly Room.
“Bollani is a spirited performer who can switch from lively off-beat showmanship to uncommon sensitivity at lighter moments charming the audience with his infectious persona. Notorious for his collaborations with big-named artists including Enrico Rava and Chick Corea, “Joy In Spite of Everything” was originally recorded with the legendary Bill Frisell, saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Jesper Bodilsen and drummer Morten Lund.” The Guardian
“Anyone who’s had the pleasure of watching Stefano Bollani in concert… knows that, above all, joy is fundamental to the music he makes.” All About Jazz
Stefano Bollani “…makes the instrument sound as if it functioned with liquids rather than hammers.” The Guardian
A top name on the European jazz scene, a UK visit from Stefano Bollani is a rare thing
and one you need to be part of!
Be sure to book early: http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/stefano-bollani
To book under Opera North’s multi-buy please call 0844 848 2727 Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm.
Please note the time indicated is the actual start of the performance. Doors to the event will open approximately 15 minutes before.
Trevor Stent has emailed me:
“Hello Peter, here is the Teaser Video for Fest jazz 2015. It was made by Mathilde, our young Director of Communications and is deliberately aimed at the “younger market”. I will be interested to hear from your readers what they think…Too brash? Vulgar? Or an interesting attempt to get more young people to a Jazz Festival? We’d love to have your readers’ reactions!
“Thanks, Trevor”
Only too pleased to do so, Trevor.
In fact, Sean Moyses, one of your star performers this year, beat me to it with this scoop on my Facebook Jazzers Group: “Now if you are going to advertise a festival of jazz to a wider audience, THIS is a great example of professionalism in marketing. Looking forward to being part of the fun!!!”
So I am delighted to post the YouTube Promo. Tell Mathilde it’s brilliant!
…… and here is the link to my earlier promo post for this brilliant Festival:
Focus on Youth at Fest Jazz, Châteauneuf-du-Faou, 24th – 26th July, 2015
PS Trevor, despite setbacks, if I possibly can I will be at Fest Jazz again this year so keep a small corner for me just in case!
Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz
Focus will be on Radio 2 featured banjoist Richard Elmes and his Steamboat Jazz Band at The Astor Theatre, Deal, on 14th May, and The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks, on 30th May.
Steamboat’s musicians – Richard Elmes (Leader, banjo), Tony Richards (trumpet), Dave Corsby (reeds), Martyn Rawbone (trombone), Gerry Birch/ Harry Cook (sousaphone), Dave Robinson/ Jimmy Tagford (drums) – will present a superb blend of music and movie comedy to make Silver Screen Jazz a sparkling spectacular for everyone.
Hot Jazz and Silent Screen Comedy
In Richard’s own words, “I first had the idea for this after seeing contemporary rock bands playing live with a video screen behind them and thought of bringing the two definitive genres of the Roaring Twenties together, namely, Hot Jazz and Silent Screen Comedy”.
Steamboat Jazz Band will turn up the heat with a blend of classic music and iconic film from the trailblazing decade universally renowned as the Jazz Age. The focus will be on standards such as Avalon, Doctor Jazz, Basin Street Blues and will present a rollicking montage of slapstick comedy from the Hollywood stars of
silent film.
VENUES:
Thursday, 14th May, Doors 7pm for 8.00pm Show
Deal, Kent: Astor Community Theatre, Stanhope Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 6AB
Ticket Price: £12.00
Tel: 01304 370220
Book: Tickets
Sevenoaks, Kent: Main Theatre, Stag Community Arts Centre, London road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ
Ticket Price: £15, £13c/FoS, £10
A £2 administration fee is charged per sale.
Tel: 01732 450175
Book: Tickets
Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com
Jeremy Huggett (saxes and vocals), Ron Milford (trombone & vocals), Ian Emby (guitar), Colin Fulcher (bass) & Brian Clarke (drums)
“A great band from the West Country led by former Young Jazz Musician of the Year,
Jeremy Huggett… a Castle debut!”
Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com
Hi Olney Fans,
Our next gig stars The Gary Wood Swing Band featuring Gary Wood, (trumpet,vocals), with his new show “When Gospel Meets Jazz“.
8.oopm Tuesday May 5th
£10/£8 in advance from Carlton House Club, High St, Olney
Tel: 01234 711348
Also from: Phonebox Magazine, Stanley Court, Olney.
Gary Wood took an early interest in music. He quickly developed a taste for jazz and swing, joining his first band in 1986. Since then Gary has built a solid reputation as a trumpeter and vocalist and now works as a busy, freelance musician appearing with bands in a variety of jazz & swing styles. He has performed at festivals in the UK and Europe and has played with many top musicians such as Alan Barnes, John Dankworth and Roy Williams. Currently Gary plays trumpet with Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends and runs his own successful quartet. Recently he released his debut CD ‘Evening Standards’ and joined Richard Leach’s “7 Stars of Jazz” at the beginning of 2015.
Also in the band are Roger Evan (keys), Chris Green (bass) and Ronnie Fenn (drums).
This will be another great night … so make sure you get your tickets early!
8.oopm Tuesday June 2nd
“Celebrating Hoagy” with the Chris Ingham Quartet £10/£8
7.30pm Thursday June 25th
Riverboat Shuffle Jazz Cruise on the Ouse – with Julian Marc Stringle (clarinet/sax), Alan Haughton (piano) and Bobby Orr (drums).
Tickets £17.50 from www.johnbunyanboat.org or the booking line 01946 817456.
Email olneyjazzclub@gmail.com for details and possible minicab to the mooring,
Further details: www.olneyjazzclub.com
8.00pm Tuesday July 7th
“Alan’s Summer Jazz Bash” featuring Roy Williams (trombone), Mike Wills (sax/clarinet), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Bobby Orr (drums) and yours truly on piano, PLUS a special appearance by jazz diva Susan Valliant Speer £10/£8
Don’t forget to book if you would like to eat: two main courses for £10.
Carlton House Club 01234 711348 and Phonebox Magazine, Stanley Court, Olney
More details of OJC events plus photos, etc can be found on our website at www.olneyjazzclub.com
Hoping to see you soon at OJC,
Alan
Olney Jazz Club
www.olneyjazzclub.com
olneyjazzclub@gmail.com
(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)
Popular belief is that Jazz has had its day. Not so! There are plenty of great bands on the jazz circuits - playing at Concerts, Clubs, Festivals. People say the musicians and fans are past their sell by dates and don’t attract younger audiences. Again, not so! There is a Jazz Revival! Numerous younger bands with growing numbers of enthusiastic young fans are making their mark.
“Jazz & Jazz” is an invaluable platform for news about young bands and musicians. It’s a great way for organisers like me to know what is going on! The enthusiasm of Peter Butler is inspirational and infectious and has certainly done much to boost the reputation of Fest Jazz beyond the boundaries of Brittany. Long may the site continue and flourish!”
Trevor Stent, Good Time Jazz
“Dear Peter, You have embarked on a lonely road. There have been few people painting New Orleans musicians over the years. There was one guy named Frank Caunce … in the 1965 - 72 period who was very good but not as organised as you. So keep doing what you are doing.”
Barry Martyn, New Orleans
“Very pleased to be associated with Jazz & Jazz. It promises to be be an influential contribution not just to the UK but to any one anywhere capable of accessing it. My Old Green River Band is delighted to have the opportunity to register its gigs and geographical whereabouts and to see the results this must have for all those associated.”
Martin Bennett, The Old Green River Band
“Fantastic Peter, you've got a talent for capturing people! Perhaps I need to have a shave!!!
Emile Martyn, The Fallen Heroes.
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