Jazz & Jazz

Opera North Presents Proclaimed Italian Jazz Pianist Stefano Bollani

May 11, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

Stefano Bollani

“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.

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Barry Martyn & Burgundy Street Press

May 9, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

John A Dixon recently caught my attention in a post on my Facebook Jazzers Group.
He included a link to Burgundy Street Press and a feature entitled
BURGUNDY STREET PRESS & BARRY MARTYN

I was privileged to paint Barry’s portrait on drums during his final appearance at London’s famous 100 Club on Oxford Street. And then I had the even greater privilege of meeting him in New Orleans in 2010.

Barry doesn’t do email so I was all the more pleased to receive his handwritten letter:

Barry in Acrylics

“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

Burgundy Street Press wrote In their item entitled “Burgundy Street Press & Barry Martyn”:

‘WHAT A LUXURY FOR A PERSON WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE INTERNET, NOR EVEN OWNS A CELL PHONE, TO HAVE HIS OWN DEDICATED “WEBSITE” FOR HIM AND HIS PRODUCTS. IT IS CALLED BURGUNDYSTREETPRESS.COM’

The post includes this tribute to Barry:

“DRUMMER, RECORD PRODUCER, BANDLEADER… jazz researcher, and cigar-chomping raconteur Barry Martyn is a New Orleans original who happens to have been born in England. This might seem implausible, but it makes perfect sense to members of the New Orleans traditional jazz community, who view themselves as an extended family based on merit as much as nativity. One earns a place through a combination of musical talent, good works, and attitude, fueled by a desire to be “in that number.” Martyn found his way to New Orleans because he knew in his heart that he belonged there. In responding to the music of sage practicioners such as the clarinetist George Lewis, he arrived with a sense of purpose, determined not only to learn from his musical heroes but also to really get to know them.”
— Bruce Boyd Raeburn, Curator Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University

The You can read the entire post at: http://www.burgundystreetpress.com/#about-us

Wonderful memories of Dew Drop Hall!

Thank you Barry for such wonderful memories!

…… and John Dixon, I owe you this for alerting me to the post:

https://squareup.com/market/shotgun-jazz-band/algiers-strut

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

French Quarter Festival 2010.

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Portrait Link

Filed Under: Features

Focus On Fest Jazz, Châteauneuf-du-Faou, 24th – 26th July, 2015

May 8, 2015 By Peter Butler 1 Comment

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”

Sean Moyses

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

Filed Under: Jazz Events

“Silver Screen Jazz” A Steamboat Jazz Band Special

May 8, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

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.

Richard Elmes

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.

Jimmy Tagford

Harry Cook

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

Saturday, 30th May, 8.00pm

Tony Richards

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

Dave Robinson

Dave Corsby

Martyn Rawbone

Gerry Birch

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Rents Are Due Thursday, June 18th, and London’s Covent Garden Marching Band Will Be Out In Force!

May 7, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

The Covent Garden Marching Band heads the 2014 Big Parade

Just what could that be all about?

Here is a preview but best you spend a pleasant afternoon in Covent Garden, London, on Thursday, 18th June, to experience this unique occasion for yourselves. You’ll need to be there in good time for the ceremony which starts at 4.30pm.

The Occassion? Weird and Wonderful Rent Collecting!
“The annual Rent Ceremony is a weird and wonderful occasion when the Chairman and Trustees march around the Piazza, accompanied by the Town Crier and a jazz band, to pay the “peppercorn rents” of five red apples and five posies of flowers for the buildings, known as The Protected Lands, on which the Trust owns a 150-year headlease.” (Covent Garden Area Trust Website)

This will be the 18th year The Covent Garden Jazz Marching Band has taken part in the Ceremony and it has to be witnessed to be believed! A “somewhat unique one off group”, the band, with The Covent Garden Town Cryer at its head, has more than doubled in numbers over the years.

Tim Wacher

Julian Mark Stringle

This year the band will include:

Trumpets/Cornets:
Digby Fairweather,
John Keen, Chris Hodgkins
and John Wacher.
Reeds: Julian Mark Stringle, Eric Gilchrist,
John Evans and Dave Gelly.
Trombones: Chris Gower, Phil Brown
and Tim Wacher.
Banjo: Alan Bradley.
Sousaphone: John Beecham.
Drums: Don Cook and Emile Martyn.

“A Grand Flourish”
Under Tim Wacher’s direction the marching band will set off, in true New Orleans style, at 4.30pm from 13, New Row, Covent Garden WC2 (the offices of the Covent Garden Area Trust – opposite Waterstones) and amble down King Street and around the Piazza – headed by Town Cryer Alan Myatt, and stopping for the collection of rents along the way. The parade pauses for essential refreshments outside the Punch and Judy Pub and culminates in a grand flourish with speeches in the Market’s North Hall.

“Quite a Big Sound”
They then adjourn to the South Courtyard of the Market (outside the Crusting Pipe) where, after a short interval, they play a second (stationary!) set for about an hour, finishing around 6.30pm. Last year Tim Wacher assured me “It’s quite a big sound due to the acoustics of Covent Garden Market roof and a lot of fun” and now I can vouch for that!

Jazz&Jazz covered the march last year and featured my colleague, Laurence Cumming’s photos. Hopefully Laurence will join my wife and I this year for more photos.

For a taster, just one of my YouTubes of last year’s March:
“Hello Covent Garden, Give Me Doctor Jazz”

Also visit “A Weird and Wonderful Occasion in Covent Garden”

Peter M Butler
Editor and Owner of Jazz&Jazz
Photos by Laurence Cumming © Jazz&Jazz
YouTube © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

Filed Under: Features

Jazz & Dine Evening at The Walnut, Blisworth, Starring Karen Sharp 7.30pm 15th May

May 4, 2015 By Peter Butler 2 Comments

Another Walnut Jazz Club Special

Starring Karen Sharp with Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends

L to R: Tomas Pedersen, Tad Newton, Gary Wood, Ronnie Fenn, Karen Sharp, Trevor Whiting.

Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Jeremy Huggett’s Harlem Five Live At The Castle, Wellingborough, 8.00pm Thursday, May 14th

May 3, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

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!”

Full May to October Programme at The Castle:

Contact Tad Newton for further details:
email – tadnewton@fsmail.net
tel – 01604 858549
Web: www.tadnewtonsjazzfriends.com

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Olney Jazz Club Presents “When Gospel Meets Jazz” The Gary Wood Swing Band

April 27, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

May Newsletter

Gary Wood

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!

Coming soon

8.oopm Tuesday June 2nd
“Celebrating Hoagy” with the Chris Ingham Quartet £10/£8

* * ***

Julian Marc Stringle – Thames River Boat Shuffle

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

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Steve Fishwick at the Ent Shed, Bedford, Thursday, 14th May

April 27, 2015 By Peter Butler Leave a Comment

Steve Fishwick

“We are lucky enough to have STEVE FISHWICK back at The Ent Shed, Bedford, on Thursday 14th May.

“Steve is widely considered to be one of the best jazz trumpet players to come from the UK and is rapidly gaining a global reputation thanks to his flawless technique, and his beautifully flowing, harmonically rich improvisations. He is one of an increasing number of trumpeters who have been heavily influenced by the melodic approach of the late great Kenny Dorham, a figure often overlooked in the pantheon of Jazz Trumpet Legends. As well as “K.D.”, Steve cites Art Farmer, Miles Davis and Woody Shaw among his favourite players, but his style is very much his own. Trumpet great Wynton Marsalis recently said about him “Steve has his own style. He plays from the bottom to the top of the horn whilst maintaining the integrity of the chords. I can’t think of another trumpet player that can do what he does.”

The Ent Shed

“Steve is bringing his latest solo project to Jazz@The Ent Shed this time around – a quintet with a somewhat unusual instrumentation. It features his brother Matt Fishwick, who recently returned to the UK after living in New York for 5 years, Tim Thornton on Double Bass, Ross Stanley on piano and Tom Cawley on Fender Rhodes. A new album, “The Outer Periphery”, was released last year. Supporting Steve is a young trumpeter called Alex Astbury who is currently residing in Birmingham while studying in his third year at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He will be bringing a quintet full of his peers at the renowned music college.

“Tickets are on sale for £9 online at www.jazzattheentshed.weebly.com. On the door Adults are £10, Students £8. Music University/College Students are £5 and Under 18s can come in for free with a full paying (£10) adult (max 2 per adult). www.conscia.org

“We really hope to see as many of you there as possible as we look to carry on the momentum of jazz in Bedford. Check out Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date https://www.facebook.com/jazzatentshed, https://twitter.com/EntShedJazz.

“See you on the 14th!!!”

Tom Syson