Betty leads the 2011 Brolly Parade

Betty Renz is my foremost jazz heroine. It is she who inspired the launch of Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle in 2011 – the UK’s youngest jazz festival which continues to grow from strength to strength each year.

Now aged 82, Betty’s enduring love is jazz and one of her ambitions is to sing with as many jazz bands as possible, and even to sing with, wait for it, André Previn!

It is my huge privilege to have been involved with Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle and with Betty since it’s launch through the good offices of the organising committee.

Following this year’s festival this remarkable lady was interviewed by Kent Atelier about her life, her loves and her music – including her love for jazz. It’s so worth listening to – and Betty’s immense humanity shines through. Please click here to listen to the interview.

Plus, I just had to paint Betty’s portrait from back in the days when she sang with Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims in The Duke of  Cumberland, Whitstable, Kent. Click here to view.

Betty guesting with Brian Turnock’s New Orleans Z’hulus, Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, 2012.

Jazz&Jazz will feature a selection of YouTubes of Betty singing with jazz bands. Here she is singing with Pete Lay’s Gambit Jazzmen, Chris Marney, Alan Gresty, Roger Myerscough and Roger Link at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, 2014. (Best viewed on YouTube in HD.)

Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

I’ve not long been back from one of the most wonderful jazz festivals it’s been my privilege attend. Why a privilege? Well, besides the fact that Fest Jazz in Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Brittany, was faultlessly organised and featured great bands, including Tuba Skinny from New Orleans, for me there was one particular BIG band which stole the hearts of the fans.

Joan Chamorro presents the St Andreu Jazz Band

The name of that band? The Sant Andreu Jazz Band from Barcelona, Spain. And the stars of the band? Barcelona school children and teenagers!

Based in the Sant Andreu Municipal School of Music in Barcelona, the band is made up of young musicians aged between 7 and 20 who flourish under the musical direction of their inspirational band leader, Joan Chamorro.

So why is it that have I entitle this post “Don’t Stop The Music! It Can Change Our Children’s Lives”?

James Rhodes

Because thats the subject of an appeal international concert pianist and music teacher James Rhodes recently launched via Change.org to UK Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

“I started to look into the state of music provision in primary schools across England and I was shocked at what I found.

“In one school I visited the annual music budget was just £2.20 per pupil. Some teachers even told me they have no money at all to spend on music. Thousands of children, I discovered, are missing out on a music education.”

Courtesy of Change.org lets allow Nicky to explain his appeal himself:

And now, here is my YouTube of Joan Chamorro and his inspirational students in
The Sant Andreu Jazz Band.

If such a high standard of music education can be achieved in Spain, why not in the UK.

Please participate! Click here for the link to sign Nicky’s petition.

Derek Nash

Here is the Autumn 2014 issue of The Kent Jazz News compiled and edited by jazz devotee Harry Stubberfield.

It’s packed with news about the jazz scene in Kent and beyond.

Click here to view your online copy:
AUTUMN JAZZ NEWS

To receive your personal copy in print, email Harry at: [email protected]

Lemsford Village Hall

Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Potters Bar, were once tops for sensational jazz in Hertfordshire. Then came the demise and jazz fell out of favour with the onslaught of rock, pop and, dare I say it, rap!

But for a full decade Bob Thomas kept jazz alive in the small retreat of Lemsford Vlllage, no more than a hamlet just west of Welwyn Garden City, with guest bands and his very own Thomcats. Alive that is until Mcmullens switched landlords at “The Long Arm Short Arm” Public House.

Smiffy on washboard with Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band.

Jazz at The Peartree – The Finale
It was then that Brian Smith, aka “Smiffy” took up the cudgel. At first he got jazz going again in Welwyn Garden City, moving from one pub to another and finishing at The Peartree, with The Peartree Jazz Club. He staged some great bands there and for some three years the club was well supported.

Then circumstances changed. But Smiffy didn’t give up.

The Frog Island Jazz Band at Lemsford Village Hall

New Beginnings – Lemsford Village Jazz Club
To the contrary, he decided to bring jazz back to Lemsford Village. And why not because Brian was born in “The Long Arm and The Short Arm” – it’s former full name. But this time his objective was jazz in Lemsford Village Hall.

The first gig was on Sunday, 24th August, with The Frog Island Jazz Band. It attracted a good turn out of fans and was a hugely promising success.

John “The Professor” Percival and Dave Rance

Next on the bill is Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band on Sunday, 21st July from 1.00pm till 4.00pm. Starring with him will the remarkable John “The Professor” Percival, famed for his Singing Saw.

Support “Smiffy”, Support Lemsford Village Jazz Club
So a special message to jazz fans, why not get along to The Lemsford Village Jazz Club on Sunday, 21st September and help revive jazz in Hertfordshire by supporting Brian Smith. Because in my book “Smiffy”, is truly a Jazz Hero.
https://www.facebook.com/lemsfordjazz

Scroll down for the YouTube of The Frogs at Lemsford Village Jazz Club.

Swanee River: Best viewed in HD on YouTube:

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz, barring Lemsford Village Hall and John Percival)