An early in the week blog

As later this week I have to go to a funeral of someone who died one month short of 106! Winchester Wednesday, then Southampton Thursday visiting a student granddaughter!

So, all I can tell you at the moment for this week is that there will be jazz at the Hedsor social Club, and I think this week it will be our regular Clive Burton Quintet. The usual rules apply. Music from 8.30 pm, entry £7 each, raffle ticket included.

Last weeks session was blisteringly good, so do turn out and help keep live jazz alive. Live local jazz venues are getting fewer and further between. It is in your hands to keep Hedsor and its jazz going.

A little further ahead we are currently finalising a gig for March 30^th for Hedsor that will see a saxophone rehearsal band joining our rhythm section for the first set of the evening. It’s a bit of an experiment, and should extend the experience of the saxophone group AND the audience! Put the date in your diary NOW.

Then slightly further ahead on April 6^th we have a return visit from that exuberant lady saxophonist Tracey Mendham. Tracey has asked especially to come that day as it is her birthday. I’m sure our regulars at Hedsor will help her celebrate it in real style!

I have been reminded this week of gigs long ago that used to take place at a pub in Bourne End called “The Firefly”. Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s this was THE place to go every other Tuesday to hear the best of not only British jazzmen, but American stars as well. No, jazz isn’t there anymore, and neither is the pub, BUT a ghost of jazz at “The Firefly” can be found at Marlow’s British Legion Hall every month. There is a common link between the two, both had/have the organising ability of Michael Eagleton. He has kindly given me a recording made at The Firefly of Peter King with the Tony Lee Trio in 1982, hence the nostalgia.

Michael often does joint collaborations with Christ Church URC in Marlow, and the next one, on March 21^st will have American singer Marlene Verplanck with a British rhythm section of John Pearce on piano, Bobby Worth on drums and Paul Morgan on bass. Tickets £10, start time 8.30 pm.

More nostalgia can be had this coming Friday at Cookham Rise Methodist Church. A concert of Big Band music from the 40’s and 50’s is being performed by the Echoes of Swing Big Band. Tickets are £10 each, and the music starts at 8 pm.

Perhaps all this jazz in churches is a further active comment on the article I reproduced in this blog the other week about last September’s Jazz Concert at Cores End URC in Bourne End. If you haven't read  it yet, just turn back the pages!

TTFN

Geoff C