The Ouse Valley Jazz Band Soaks Up Peartree Applause

June 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Peartree Monday Jazz Club welcomed the Cambridge based Ouse Valley Jazz Band and Angela on their first visit to Welwyn Garden City on 18th June and what a welcome it was!

Peartree Promoter Brian Smith joyfully announced the club’s highest ever turn out of fans and band leader Dudley Hedge and his gang were on top form – “ouseing” a full repertoire of traditional jazz from reeds, brass and percussion, with legendary Harvey Weston on bass, and accompanied by the dulcet tones of Angela – without doubt a formidable jazz singer.

Applause raised the roof and when, at the close of the evening, Dudley asked if the fans would have the Ouse Valley Band back, they answered as one: “Yes, if you’ll play another two numbers!”.

The Ouse Valley Jazz Band

Band Leader Dudley Hedge

Angela turning on the style

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harvey Weston superlative on bass

Dave Marchant in the groove

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Scofield on baritone sax

 

 

 

Les Cirkel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full House!

Doug Parry

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full stretch and on key!

Visit The Ouse Valley Jazz Band’s Website

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Don’t Miss The Ouse Valley Jazz Band Live in Welwyn Garden City on 18 June

June 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Original Drawings of the New Orleans French Quarter by Bill Stotesbury

June 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Preservation Hall

Featuring the works of Bill Stotesbury, Jazz Man, Artist and Tour Guide on Southern Sounds annual New Orleans French Quarter Festival Tours.

View more of Bill’s jazz drawings on his website:

http://www.millbury.co.uk/acatalog/New_Orleans_French_Quarter.html

To discover more about Bill the Jazz Man go to:

http://www.millbury.co.uk/billssite/jazzman.html

Or contact Bill direct at: [email protected]

Ginny and Peter want to thank you for the memories, Bill and Chris.

Filed Under: Jazz Art

“Is this the way to go?” Attracting ‘young blood’ to join our Jazz Clubs

June 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lois Lloyd wrote to me today. She said: “Hi Peter, I see you (Jazz&Jazz) are noting our [jazz’s] history, a useful deed as we are losing so many wonderful musicians and at 64 David and I are often the youngest punters at the gig!” Lois is a member of the Plymouth Jazz Club.

Plymouth Jazz Club

Just Jazz magazine ran an article by Ken Butler in the March issue entitled “Is this the way to go?” featuring the Leeds Jazz Club and their success in attracting ‘young blood’ to join them (Just Jazz, March issue, p 6). Ken had asked a young singer, Tessa Smith, to join him at the club to see if she liked it. “She did and she enjoyed it so much that she has been back virtually every week since. Not only that, she has spread the word among her friends to such an extent that [recently] I counted at least 20 youngsters dancing and having a really good time.”

Leeds Jazz Club

Struck by this, I decided to follow up Ken’s article with this letter published in the June issue of Just Jazz:

Dear Pete

Got my copy of the March issue of Just Jazz yesterday. Very timely because of the article on Leeds Jazz Club “Is this the way to go?” about attracting “young blood” back to Traditional Jazz Clubs.
Tessa Smith raises the very pertinent point that youngsters today can’t relate to jazz. They hear “the squeaking of horns and discordant piano solos or free improvisation, or technical mastery …… that lacks a discernible melody” and proclaim “I don’t like jazz”! Then when they hear traditional jazz they say “but I like what you just did”!
Barry Price at the Hemsby Autumn Festival last year asked the girls behind the bar if they liked jazz. “No!” was the answer. So, pointing to the stage he asked, “Do you like this kind of music?” And they said they did! So he told them this was original, traditional jazz. So the jazz that put them off had to be modern jazz!
Just like the Leeds Jazz Club, locally in Welwyn Garden City I’m striving to help Brian Smith build up the ageing membership by attracting younger fans. We’ve made a small start but there’s a way to go. Bob Thomas and The Thomcats used to play in our village pub and Bob also organised a weekly rota of other bands. In fact Bernie Tyrrell recently mentioned to me that Bob is no longer advertising in the Jazz Guide and I told him that’s because with landlord changes, the Long and The Short Arm had stopped the jazz nights.
That’s why Brian (“Smiffy”) started The Peartree Monday Jazz Club and now that we’ve been working on rebuilding the “disbanded” fan base with some success, yes, it’s time to try to get the youngsters along, some of whom used to wander in from the other bar in the pub.
Why am I keen on mentioning this right now? Not just because you might like to use this as a response to the Leeds Jazz Club article in the next issue of Just Jazz but also because I’m constantly seeking ways to help reinvigorate real jazz via my website jazzandjazz.com.
It takes time for a new website to catch on and “go viral” (horrible expression). Yet although perhaps not so many older fans use the web, it’s got to be one of the ways of reaching a younger audience.
It’s a hard slog but I want to get there. One of the approaches I’m aiming at is to contact “younger” musicians who attract younger fans such as “Dom Pipkin & The Ikos”, “The Fallen Heroes” and “Young Blood” crews. I’ve got plenty of photos of them in action to display what I’m about, although to make this pay or at least recuperate my costs I need to sell more commissions, portraits and prints. But that will come.
This brings me to a key point of this email, which I hope isn’t boring you due to its length but I think you can tell I feel passionately about this.
As a fairly recent “returnee” to the trad jazz scene I don’t want it to appear I’m knuckling in. You know I’m not. but I have in mind approaching clubs like Leeds and Plymouth to link up endeavours.
Regards
Peter Butler, Welwyn Garden City, Herts 
With Pete Lay’s permission I intend submitting another article analysing the current state of traditional jazz in the UK. Hopefully it will appear in the August issue of Just Jazz.
In  the meantime I would like to hear the views of clubs, musicians and fans. Just email me: [email protected]
Filed Under: Jazz Events

No Stranger to Potters Bar, Acker Bilk Packs Willyotts Theatre

June 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

Fans turned out in force at the Wyllyotts Centre to welcome Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band back to Potters Bar on Thursday, 31st May. The theatre was packed and the applause raised the roof.

Now an octogenarian, Acker is a living legend and a highly honoured legend at that, having received his MBE from the Queen back in 2001 and then on 24th May this year, the Special All Party Parliamentary Jazz Award for his services to music.

Acker played with Ken Coyer’s band at the height of the jazz era back in 1954 and by 1956 he had formed the Paramount Jazz Band. So soon we will be celebrating Acker’s very own Jubilee Year.

He lived in Potters Bar in those earlier years but originally hailed from Somerset and, living back in his home county now, he remains a Somerset lad at heart. Hence his nickname, because in the local dialect ‘Acker’ stands for ‘friend’ or ‘mate’.

And to this day, his staunch Potters Bar fans truly consider him to be their friend and mate.

Colin Wood

John Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richie Bryant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Bateman

Mike Cotton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acker in wry humour mode!

 

 

Thank you Acker, for allowing us to meet you. L to R, Bob Thomas of Bob Thomas & The Thomcats, Peter Butler of Jazz&Jazz, Acker and Brian Smith who runs The Peartree Monday Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City.

 (Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

 

Filed Under: Jazz Bands

Live Jazz in Welwyn Garden City at The Peartree Monday Jazz Club

May 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 Peartree Gigs

 July 2012 to December 2012
 Admission £7
 The Peartree, Hollybush Lane,
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4JJ
Presenter: Brian Smith (Smiffy)
Tel: 01707 880569
Email: [email protected]

Christine’s Stackyard Stompers

16 July 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

Christine (ldr, tmb, voc) • Ron Findon (clt, alto sax)
John Pickett (tmp, cnt, voc, swanee slide whistle) • Dave Arnold (sousa)
Roy Hart (bjo) • Richard Howell (perc)

Tel: Christine 01582 422845

David Price Swing Thing

20 August 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

David Price (mega banjo/vocals) • Tim Huskisson (pno/clt) • Roger Curphey (Bass)
“Steady” Eddie Cattle (drums) • Guest Vocalist Maralyn

Tel: David Price 01277 824616

The Fenny Stompers

17 September 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

Dennis Vick (ldr, clt) • Brian Vick (bjo) • Martin Horsfall (tmb)
Dave Marchant (tpt) • Dave Arnold (bass) • Ken Joyner (dms)

Tel: Dennis Vick 01908 643029

Tad Newton’s JazzFriends

15 October 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

Tad Newton (tmb/vocals) • Gary Wood (tmp/flugel horn/voc)
Mike Graver (piano) • Tomas Pedersen (bass) • Ronnie Fenn (drums)
Featuring Trevor Whiting (reeds)

Tel: Tad Newton 01604  858549

Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band

19 November 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

Dave Rance (ldr, tpt) • Brian Webb (tmb,voc) • Derek Scofield (sax, clt)
Henry Harrison (dms) • Mike Brewerton (bass)
John Bartlett (gtr) • Doug Parry (bjo)

Tel: Dave Rance 01525 712359

The Fenny Stompers

17 December 2012 • 8.30 – 11pm

Dennis Vick (ldr, clt) • Brian Vick (bjo) • Martin Horsfall (tmb)
Dave Marchant (tpt) • Dave Arnold (bass) • Ken Joyner (dms)

Tel: Dennis Vick 01908 643029

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Acker Bilk Presented with Special APPJAG Award at the Houses of Parliament

May 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Acker receives his APPJAG award from Moira Stewart

Jazz&Jazz wishes to join others in expressing huge delight at the presentation of the 2012 Special All Party Parliamentary Jazz (APPJAG) Award to Acker Bilk on Wednesday, 16th May.

And who better to describe Acker’s delight than his Personal Manager, Pamela Sutton:

“Acker had a great night at the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards on Wednesday, 16th May. PPL really looked after him as he was escorted through all the security checks into The House of Commons. The Awards Ceremony was in the reception room leading on to the Pavilion Terrace. Acker had a good time talking to loads of jazz musicians such as Jamie Cullum, Bobby Wellins, Hump’s old drummer, Laurie Hollaway and so on. You would know them all better than I! He had a good laugh with Lord and Lady Prescott and Lord David Steel. 

“Acker was there to present the Jazz Musician of the Year Award and it went to Bobby Wellins. But the icing on the cake came when Paul Gambaccini asked him to stay on the stage for Moira Stewart to present him with the the 2012 SPECIAL APPJAG AWARD, their highest honour. Acker was genuinely delighted.

“PPL had kept this a real surprise for us all.”

Pamela Frances Sutton
Personal Manager to Acker Bilk MBE

Photos courtesy of
PPL & Photographer Hayley Madden

A record number of MPs and peers, including Arts Minister Ed Vaizey MP, The Rt Hon The Lord Prescott and Lord David Steel, all members of  The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, attended the Jazz Awards, sponsored by PPL.  Now the only UK jazz awards, the night was hosted by broadcaster Paul Gambaccini. Many renowned jazz musicians were present, including Acker, Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, and Laurie Holloway.

“Acker Bilk became the household name of jazz, with his hit, ‘Stranger on the Shore’ in 1961. It was in the charts for 55 weeks and was the first number 1 hit in the UK and USA simultaneously. A great master of the clarinet, known for his trademark goatee beard, bowler hat, striped waistcoat and breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register clarinet style, we are very proud to honour one of the most successful British jazz musicians ever, and still going strong today!” (SMIA)

Filed Under: Jazz Bands

Barry Palser’s Savoy Jazzmen Star at The Peartree

May 23, 2012 By 3 Comments

The Savoy Jazzmen: L to R Barry Palser, Peter Baker, Mike Cotton, Tony Pitt and Tony Teale

The Peartree Monday Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City welcomed back Barry Palser and his Savoy Jazz Band on 21st May. Always favourites with Peartree fans, the band included two Acker Bilk stars, trumpeter Mike Cotton and banjoist Tony Pitt. And who needs drums when Tony Pitt is around! In Barry’s own words, it was as ever “All Good Stuff!”. Indeed, just as it has been since he first formed Barry Palser’s Savoy Jazz Men back in 1959.

Barry Palser as dynamic as ever.

Mike Cotton trumpeter supreme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Tony Pitt on banjo who needs drums

Tony Teale on sax…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Baker on bass

… and on clarinet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And not forgetting The Peartree's very own "Smiffy" guesting with the band on washboard

[email protected]

Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Jazz Bands

Jazz Portrait: Vocalion’s Sam Weller, Trombone, & Mark Alexander, Drums

May 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jazz painting of Mark Alexander on drums and Sam Weller on trombone

Medway based Vocalion Jazz Band led by Sam Weller is a great favourite with Kent’s traditional jazz fans. In this acrylic portrait Sam is playing alongside Vocalion drummer Mark Alexander at
The George in Shalmsford Street, Canterbury in May, 2011.

Fine Art print of Mark Alexander and Sam Weller.

Trombone and Drums
Trad at The George, Vocalion style,
Sam on ‘bone, Mark on drums,
Playing with guile,
Good reason for fans to linger a while.

Jazz&Jazz Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved.

I write a poem to accompany each fine art print of my jazz paintings and this simple four line stanza captures Vocalion’s prowess.

Fine Art Giclée Prints of this portrait are available, with or without my descriptive poem. Simply email: [email protected] to place your order.

Filed Under: Jazz Art

2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival a Star-Studded Success

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

http://t.ymlp338.net/ybjavajsuqakajqadawswh/click.php

The New Orleans Times-Picayune recaptures two weeks of magical highlights during the 2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival, culminating in a grand Preservation Hall star-studded celebration.

“What followed underscored the continuity of New Orleans music in general, and Preservation Hall specifically. On one end of the stage was trumpeter Lionel Ferbos, at 100 the city’s oldest active jazz musician, and trombonist Wendell Eugene, who once was a bandmate of Braud’s grandfather. On the other end were the young students of the Preservation Hall Junior Jazz Band.

“They all joined in an uproarious “When the Saints Go Marching In,” which Braud updated with a “Who Dat” chant. The finale boasted everyone — the Preservation Hall crew and their multitude of special guests — on a rollicking, kitchen-sink take on the age-old gospel standard “I’ll Fly Away.”

“It was the Preservation Hall Jazz Band looking back, even as it looked forward. Just like Jazz Fest.”

Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune

Filed Under: Jazz Events
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