Brittany Calling! Update on “Fest Jazz” and Jazz at School in France

October 13, 2013 By 3 Comments

Andrea Motis with her mentor Joan Chamorro

Early this year Jazz&Jazz featured, courtesy of Trevor Stent (Leader of Brittany’s Good Time Jazz Band) “Jazz at School… A Homage to Catalonia” and “Fest Jazz” at Chateauneuf du Faou, Brittany.

Trevor has now updated Jazz&Jazz on the incredible progress being made with Jazz in School in Brittany and yet again we ask the question: “Why Not in the UK?”.

The song I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free is an important feature in the educational project, recounting the history of jazz and the struggle for human rights in the USA. It is also one of the most popular numbers at the school concerts organised by Trevor and Good Time Jazz.

“Fest Jazz” was also a huge success and 18 year old Andrea Motis gave a star performance.

Earlier Posts:

Encouraging signs for  Jazz in Europe, So Why Not in the UK 

Voila! Jazz à l’Ecole! Time to Take up the Cudgel Again in the UK?

Not just any old festival, this is an Inspirational Jazz Fest!

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Plymouth Jazz Club Releases Autumn/Winter Programme

October 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

John Shillito’s Select 6

In furthering the cause of keeping jazz LIVE and ALIVE Jazz&Jazz is delighted to highlight
Plymouth Jazz Club’s Programme for November and December.

Alan Bateman

Sunday November 3rd:
7.00pm for 7.30pm
Alan Bateman with The Craig Milverton Trio
The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH
Wonderful Louis Armstrong style jazz trumpeter Alan Bateman with one of the best backing trios in the UK.
Admission £8 (Members £6, Full-Time Students £4). • Tickets on the door.
Tel: 01752 721179 or 01752 774343.

The Rich Bennet Band (Photo © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Sunday November 17th:
7.00pm for 7.30pm
The Rich Bennett Band with
Dorine de Wit.
The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH
Exciting traditional jazz from a band of young enthusiasts.
Admission £8 (Members £6, Full-Time Students £4).
Tickets on the door.
Tel: 01752 721179 or 01752 774343.

 

Sunday December 1st: 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Charlie Hearnshaw’s Munjenta Café
The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH
A great Latin Jazz quintet led by superb saxophonist Charlie Hearnshaw.
Admission £8 (Members £6, Full-Time Students £4).
Tickets on the door.
Tel: 01752 721179 or 01752 774343.

The Pennyroyal Jazz Band

Sunday December 15th:
7.00pm for 7.30pm
Christmas Party with the
Pennyroyal Jazz Band.
The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH
Entertaining, lively traditional jazz for dancing & listening in party mood.
Admission £8 (Members £6,
Full-Time Students £4).
Tickets on the door.
Tel: 01752 721179 or 01752 774343.

Tuesday December 31st at 8.30pm.

Plymouth Jazz Club’s Annual New Year’s Eve Party with John Shillito’s Select 6.
Derriford United Reform Church Hall, Powisland Drive, Derriford, Plymouth PL6 6AB.

Hot swinging music from 8.30pm until 12.30, doors open 8.00pm.

Admission by ticket only. Visitors £12, Members £10, Full-time Students £5.

Tel: 01752 721179.

For further information please contact John Amos, Publicity Officer, on 01752-774343, or email [email protected] and /or visit our website www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

 

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Sarah Spencer at The 100 Club

October 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Sadly I couldn’t make it to The 100 Club on 19th September for saxophonist Sarah Spencer’s final gig of her 2013 UK Tour.

A crying shame because, born in the UK, Sarah now lives in Connecticut, USA, and plays New Orleans Revival Jazz. Her heroes are Captain John Handy and Emanual Paul. What’s more, she sings Classic Blues from the 1920’s and 1930’s.

But my colleague and fellow jazz photographer Laurence Cumming didn’t miss out and took some awesome photos of Sarah and the class musicians who starred with her.

Yet in featuring Laurence’s photos, I can’t help but lament yet again that Thursday Lunchtime Jazz at The 100 Club will come to an end in December.

Sarah Spencer

 

Steve Graham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Maynard

Annie Hawkins

Chris Marchant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Pointon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OOs of Jazz, Steve Graham and Mike Pointon

Photos © Laurence Cumming

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Jazz at The 100 Club Faces Sad Demise

September 21, 2013 By 5 Comments

The Sussex Jazz Kings

Back in August The Sussex Jazz Kings gave their last performance at London’s 100 Club in Oxford Street, once upon a time the thriving mecca of Jazz.

For years Tony and Kay Leppard have loyally staged live jazz at Thursday lunchtime sessions. But with falling attendances and increasing costs, simply put, the pressures are now becoming too great. Besides which they are heavily involved in promoting jazz closer to home at The Winning Post in Twickenham.

Len Baldwin

Laurence Cumming sent me photos of The Sussex Kings 100 Club gig, so with only a few opportunities left this year to catch other great bands in Oxford Street, this is the first of my final Jazz&Jazz posts on the Thursday lunchtime line ups.

I have asked Kay to let me know the bands playing there between now and the final event in December and will include details in my next post due shortly, bemoaning this great loss to the jazz world.

The End of The Jazz Age?
John Petters recently commented on my Facebook Jazzers Group: “Peter, I don’t see a way to reverse this. We had about 5 percent of people who booked to come to Bracklesham last week who died. In effect the loss was greater because their partners then dropped out as well. One regular suffered a heart attack, one lady in a group of three needed care, so we lost all three. We are at the end of the jazz age which effectively started in 1953.”

Dave Stradwick (Leader)

There is a stark and growing dichotomy between older and younger jazz fans, because, yes, as I’ve demonstrated throughout Jazz&Jazz and on Jazzers, younger fans are returning to jazz in increasing numbers and younger bands are flourishing. The dichotomy results from the “oldies” sitting back and enjoying their favourite “oldie” bands and musicians in sedentary fashion whilst the younger generation of fans echo our pasts and the thriving, dynamic jazz of the 1950s and 60s when The 100 Club was top dollar.

New Beginnings
But why allow this dichotomy to continue? If older fans love jazz so much why miss out? Why not get along to join in with the younger fans at their venues? And in turn, why not encourage and welcome the younger bands to play at and liven up our staid old clubs? That would be far better than sitting back and mulling over the past.

We are not at the end of the jazz age. There are new beginnings. Jazz lives on and one of my key aims as editor and moderator of Jazz&Jazz along with my Facebook Jazzers Group is to annul the dichotomy and unify jazz fans, musicians and bands of all ages.

So watch this space.

Phil Durell

Bernard Strutter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Laurence Cumming 

Peter Clancy

John Hall

Filed Under: Jazz Bands, Jazz Events

New Orleans Times-Picayune Hails Tipitina!

September 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The New Orleans Times-Picayune recently paid homage to UK Birmingham based band Tipitina fronted by singer Debbie Jones and pianist Justin Randall.

Big Bear Music described Tipitina’s achievements as “a testament to the rich musical heritage of the Crescent City, but also to the quality, integrity of New Orleans style bands in the UK.”

Keith Spera’s article tells how “Tipitina finally met Tipitina’s” and about Debbie and Justin’s magical 16 days in New Orleans, enhanced by a very personal discovery.

Instantaneous rapport: Debbie meeting Lionel Ferbos. (Photo courtesy of Erika Goldring)

A highlight of their tour was a meeting with 102 year-old jazz trumpeter Lionel Ferbos following his performance at a private function.

The Times-Picayune article, “Singer and pianist of English Band Tipitina lived a fantasy on first visit to New Orleans”, reveals all about Debbie and Justin’s very special 16 days in New Orleans.

Back in the UK, Tipitina will close their 2013 tour in London at Ronnie Scott’s on Sunday, 20th October.

 

Article courtesy of  Sophie Monk, Big Bear Music, Birmingham: http://www.bigbearmusic.com

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Sammy Rimington International Band 2013 UK Tour: 19-28 October

September 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

THE SAMMY RIMINGTON INTERNATIONAL BAND

Annual UK Dates Oct. 19th – 28th  2013

“Sammy Rimington´s playing demonstrates the clarinet´s matchless range of funky virtuosity, which makes the jazz´s past as real as the future.” NEW YORK TIMES

We  proudly present:

SAMMY RIMINGTON, clarinet, saxophone, flute, vocal, England/Sweden

JASPER VAN PELT, trombone, the Netherlands

EMILE VAN PELT, piano, vocal, the Netherlands

NORMAN EMBERSON, drums, England/Germany

ERIC WEBSTER, banjo, England/Germany

TREFOR WILLIAMS, string bass, England

CUFF BILLETT, trumpet, vocal, added on October 27th

VENUES

Saturday October 19th HEADCORN, Kent, Headcorn Village Hall, 8 – 10.45pm
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS AND SNACKS!
Tickets £15 from Louise Rimington HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] or from HEADCORN GIFT & MUSIC, 23 High Street, Headcorn,
TN27 9NH, 01622 891 169 and on the door the evening of the concert.

Sunday October 20th CHILHAM, Kent, Chilham Village Hall, 3-6pm
Tickets £15 from Louise Rimington  HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected]   Seating in preference to time of booking tickets.
ONLY PRE BOOKINGS!  Please bring your own Drinks and Snacks!

Tuesday October 22nd BASINGSTOKE, Hamps., The Irish Centre, Council Road, 8 – 10.45pm
Tickets and Info: 0794 2040779 or [email protected]

Wednesday October 23rd EASTLEIGH, Hants., The Concorde Club, 9 – 11.30pm
Please e-mail: [email protected] or Tel: 02380 613 989

Thursday October 24th LITTLE WITLEY, Worcs., Little Witley Village Hall,
7.30 – 10.30pm.  Please contact:  HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] or 01886 888 834

Friday October 25th UPTON-UPON-SEVERN, Worcs., Hanley Castle, 8 – 11pm
Info: Paul Lawrence  HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] or 01684 593 794

Saturday October 26th GRITTLETON, CHIPPENHAM, Worcs., St Marys Church, 7.30pm
Info & Tickets: Tim Newman  HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected]  or 01249-782437

Sunday October 27th FRIMLEY, CAMBERLEY, Surrey, St Peters Church,
Church service 6.30 – 7.15pm Hymns & Spirituals. Jazz Concert 7.45 – 8.45pm
then Refreshments.  9.15 – 10.15pm Jazz Concert.
Info & Tickets:   HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] or please call the Parish Office 01276 27855. 

ALL WELCOME to an Evening of Authentic, Traditional New Orleans Jazz!

A selection of CDs plus our book:

SAMMY RIMINGTON: A Life in Pictures
will be for sale at all venues.

New CD: Sammy Rimington International Ouartet with AL CASEY


Sammy and Louise Rimington          

e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.sammyrimington.com                     

Please share this schedule with friends!   FOREVER NEW ORLEANS

Two Sammys: Sammy Rimington Snr and Sammy Rimington Jnr in duet at Chilham, Kent, 2010 – Jazz&Jazz Acrylic Portrait by Peter M Butler

 

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Welcomes Back Red Hot & Blue

August 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Jazzing it up with Peter Leonard, Alan Cresswell and Steve Harding

Red Hot & Blue Starring at the Festival

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Celebrating Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle – Festival Fun in The Sun!

August 17, 2013 By 1 Comment

Bert Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims on Ramsgate Harbour Esplanade

Back in June a good friend and fellow jazzer emailed me about the possibility of launching a new “trad jazz festival … similar to Seaside Shuffle” in his area. He told me a well known jazz musician was interested in being involved but went on to say he was “not sure about the best way to ensure this works without being left out of pocket”.

Most jazz festivals in the UK have been running for years and are well established and well attended. So far as I am aware, Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, launched just three years ago, is the very latest festival launched in the UK – way down in the far south east corner of the country.

So I intend this final post in the sequence of features on the July, 2013, Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Festival, to serve as a tribute to the festival organisers and as a brief summation of Seaside Shuffle’s success to date which might help with indicators on how to go about launching other new “trad jazz” festivals.

Fun in the Sun – Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle 2011

A Dream Comes True

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle is the brainchild of local jazz singer, Betty Renz. For years Betty has sung with bands in South East England, from Whitstable to Dover and from Ramsgate to Southampton. And for years she dreamed of a festival on The Isle of Thanet. Then four years ago she decided the time had come to bring her dreams to fruition and gathered together a small group of friends to assist her.

Even though based in Hertfordshire, my wife and I helped with copy, Jazz Guide ads, leaflets, posters and promotional material. I was only too pleased as my teenage years were spent in East Kent – my early jazz stomping ground.

Committee Member on Duty!

In the groove

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Dedicated Organising Committee

But the key to the success of The Shuffle wasn’t nearly so much due to what my wife and I did but due to the dedication of the team Betty gathered around her in Ramsgate to drive the project forward.

After a wonderfully successful launch in 2011, having seen her dream come to fruition, Betty withdrew from the front line for health reasons. Now, in the Shuffle’s third year, a lean Organising Committee is 100 percent dedicated to both the annual festival and to organising monthly gigs at The Small Boat Owners Club in Ramsgate.

View YouTube of Betty Renz singing on Margate Seafront: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phITGVjcEq4&feature=youtu.be

Betty with Bob Fostell now in his 90s who travelled down from South London just to see The Frog Island Band at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, 2013. Betty sung “Cake Walking Babies” his requested favourite song with the band.

But as you can imagine, in these difficult times it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Successful representations were made to Ramsgate Town Council for funding but not without diplomatic persuasion. After all, what is traditional jazz these days! But the Committee were able to persuade the Council that the Festival would bring more visitors to the seaside resort. And a band performing on the harbour esplanade free of charge as a thank you to the Council helped.

Despite these early teething troubles Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle went from strength to strength and plans were made for monthly gigs and of course a 2012 festival.

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Red Hot & Blue on Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday makers and fans on Ramsgate harbour esplanade.


Peter M Butler
Editor and Owner of Jazz&Jazz

 

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Festival 2013 Featured:


Trefor Williams’ Select Six Thrill Ramsgate Seaside Shufflers with “A Night in New Orleans” https://www.jazzandjazz.com/?p=5276

 Seaside Shuffle Spectacular with Red Hot & Blue
https://www.jazzandjazz.com/?p=5300

 Gambit Jazzmen Given A Warm Welcome Back to Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle
https://www.jazzandjazz.com/?p=5408

Vocalion Mesmerise Fans on a Balmy Seaside Shuffle Festival Afternoon
https://www.jazzandjazz.com/?p=5467

 Seaside Shuffle Festival Fans Spellbound by Frog Island Jazz Band’s Unique Repertoire https://www.jazzandjazz.com/?p=5543


Filed Under: Jazz Bands, Jazz Events

Monday 19th August: Jazz Revisited to Revisit The Peartree

August 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Peartree Fans are set to welcome Hertfordshire based band Jazz Revisited back to Welwyn Garden City this coming Monday, 19th August. An evening of pure, unequivocal New Orleans Jazz is assured. So be sure to get along to The Peartree.

Peartree Jazz Club

The Peartree, Hollybush Lane,

Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4JJ

Admission £8 • Members £7

Brian Smith (“Smiffy”) Jazz Promotions
Tel: 01707 880569
Email: [email protected] 
www.facebook.com/peartreejazz.club

Best Jazz in Town! Live!
Come along and join the Club!

Filed Under: Jazz Events

“Any Thing Goes” at The Star

August 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Any Thing Goes (l to r): Ivan Thompson, Dave Stone, Mike Marsh, Gerry Birch (Malcolm Walton on keyboard not in view)

Gerry Birch emailed me recently, “I look forward to seeing you at The Star whenever you have time. It is a gig I am particularly proud of because, as I have written before, when it first started, I had severe doubts about its sustainability. Yet here we are, well into the second year and as far as I can tell, things are looking good for a third year.”

Dave Stone & Gerry Birch

These days when the trend is for pubs to close their doors on jazz, Barry, the publican at The Star in Old Wives Lees, welcomes jazz fans weekly for Thursday night gigs organised by Gerry.

Ivan Thompson & Malcolm Walton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just last month I was at The Star when Gerry’s band “Anything Goes” lived up to their name with a mix of the blues and mainstream jazz and vocals, highly suited to a rather sultry July evening.

Mike Marsh

So I make a point of timing my visits to old friends in East Kent so that we can take in jazz at The Star. After all, Old Wives Lees is just a few miles from Canterbury which was something of a hot bed of jazz in my erstwhile youth.

Fans enjoying an oasis of jazz at The Star

Malcolm Walton on keyboard

Jane Birch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Filed Under: Jazz Events
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