Monday, 11 October 2010
Next Time: New Washboard Syncopators
We've had lots of fun with this band on the occasion of their earlier visits. This may well prove to be the last chance we get to hear them, as we understand they are going their separate ways in the nearish future. Be there to experience their unique sound and their repertoire of rare music from the 1920s.
Swingin' with that nice Mr Wood..
..and Cliff Williams, and Mike Graver, and Martin Emeny.
There was a goodly mix of stuff on offer when the boys came together last night at Spring Lane. We like to give you tunes you dont hear often, and last night included a few: Gary gave us Just in Time, and Rent Party Blues. Phil gave us Nearness of You. And I don't know when anybody last played The Saints at MRC!!
It's been a great pleasure to welcome Mike Graver to a couple of sessions, as he's a busy man and we can't often get him. When you hear his superb melodic style and his faultless accompaniment behind a melody, it's easy to see why he is in such demand.
I'd like, too, to thank John Ripper for bringing his baritone. What a boost we always get when he's there bolstering up the front line!
I was reflecting, on the way home (as you do) that this is October and most of the year has passed. Looking back over the recorded archives for 2010 as I processed last nights recording, I must say that this has been an absolutely vintage year for quality. Because of the jam-session format we mostly use, we tend as musicians to focus on the mistakes we've made - the untidy intros and outros, the odd bum note or wrong chord. But overall, I'm struck by the authenticity of the swing we produce and I'm so happy to be able to be a part of it. You'll hear more polished perfomances from bands that play together all the time, but you won't often hear the spirit and authenticity that somehow emerges from Spring Lane sessions. I genuinely believe that this is how it might have been, late in the night, in New York or Chicago during the 1940s and early 50's.
Keep supporting us and we'll try to keep delivering it!
There was a goodly mix of stuff on offer when the boys came together last night at Spring Lane. We like to give you tunes you dont hear often, and last night included a few: Gary gave us Just in Time, and Rent Party Blues. Phil gave us Nearness of You. And I don't know when anybody last played The Saints at MRC!!
It's been a great pleasure to welcome Mike Graver to a couple of sessions, as he's a busy man and we can't often get him. When you hear his superb melodic style and his faultless accompaniment behind a melody, it's easy to see why he is in such demand.
I'd like, too, to thank John Ripper for bringing his baritone. What a boost we always get when he's there bolstering up the front line!
I was reflecting, on the way home (as you do) that this is October and most of the year has passed. Looking back over the recorded archives for 2010 as I processed last nights recording, I must say that this has been an absolutely vintage year for quality. Because of the jam-session format we mostly use, we tend as musicians to focus on the mistakes we've made - the untidy intros and outros, the odd bum note or wrong chord. But overall, I'm struck by the authenticity of the swing we produce and I'm so happy to be able to be a part of it. You'll hear more polished perfomances from bands that play together all the time, but you won't often hear the spirit and authenticity that somehow emerges from Spring Lane sessions. I genuinely believe that this is how it might have been, late in the night, in New York or Chicago during the 1940s and early 50's.
Keep supporting us and we'll try to keep delivering it!
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
26th September - Groovin' High
We often say that len has the gift of putting together line-ups that click. Well, on Sunday last, it certainly cluck!
Once again Gary Wood proved to be the catalyst for a great night of small band swing, and to help him deliver we had Ron Hills on stonking form and the ever-welcome Cliff Williams. And the appearance of Mike Graver on piano meant that we got a rhythm section that at times did the genuine chicago/count basie thing. So Len, Ken and Phil had a ball as the evening chugged along.
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Once again Gary Wood proved to be the catalyst for a great night of small band swing, and to help him deliver we had Ron Hills on stonking form and the ever-welcome Cliff Williams. And the appearance of Mike Graver on piano meant that we got a rhythm section that at times did the genuine chicago/count basie thing. So Len, Ken and Phil had a ball as the evening chugged along.
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Monday, 30 August 2010
Next up - Alan Bateman and friends
Don't miss Alan B. This will be another high energy evening from this versatile and gifted trumpeter and we're delighted that now he's fully pro he still fits us in. See you there.
Everett Blows In
It was good to welcome Johnny Everett back with his Red Dragons last night. The Welsh Wizzard was on good form (hard to believe he's been leading bands in the Midlands and elsewhere for 50 years!!) and we got through a fair few of the old favourites from the dixieland repertoire. Guesting with the Dragons due to holiday comittments were Dave Braidley of the New Washboard Syncopators on trombone and Len Thwaites on bass, both of whom fitted seamlessly into the lineup and made distinctive contributions.
Dave B will be back with the Syncopators later in the Autumn and we look forward to another of their highly memorable selections of songs you never hear anywhere else.
Good too to welcome back Ruth Frith with the Dragons - a bundle of energy behind the mike and who can always be relied upon to energise the night's jazz proceedings.
Talking of which, Ruth got up and did a couple with Abbey Jazz at Pershore when we were there, which was the icing on a fairly triumphant cake. We played to standing room only, notwithstanding Alan Barnes being the rival attraction, and (to hell with false modesty!) we done terrific.
See you next time, and thanks again to John and the Dragons.
Dave B will be back with the Syncopators later in the Autumn and we look forward to another of their highly memorable selections of songs you never hear anywhere else.
Good too to welcome back Ruth Frith with the Dragons - a bundle of energy behind the mike and who can always be relied upon to energise the night's jazz proceedings.
Talking of which, Ruth got up and did a couple with Abbey Jazz at Pershore when we were there, which was the icing on a fairly triumphant cake. We played to standing room only, notwithstanding Alan Barnes being the rival attraction, and (to hell with false modesty!) we done terrific.
See you next time, and thanks again to John and the Dragons.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Sunday 29 Aug - Here be Dragons!
We will be welcoming back John Everetts Red Dragon JazzMen, with Ruth Frith. Another chance to hear one of the Midlands' longest-serving and best-loved band leaders about whom it has often been said...
No Abbey Jazz at Spring Lane 15th August...
....because we'll be playing at the Pershore Festival. Hope to see you there. We're taking an 'All Star' band including the popular Gary Wood.
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