Monday, 2 November 2009

Next Sunday - 8th November

We'll be welcoming Arthur Brown (tpt), Peter Carlton (reeds), Martin Veasey (tbn), Rod Kelly (pno), Martin Emeny (dms), and Len and Phil will be in attendance too. Which pair of braces will Arthur be sporting this time?

Monday, 26 October 2009

Jazz at Colwall Church - 21st November

St James Church, Colwall hosts Johnny Everett's Red Dragon Jazzmen in concert on Saturday 21st November, as part of a series of fundraising events. Singer Ruth Frith will be with the band and we should have a really good evening of good-time dixieland.

The music starts at 7.30pm and admission will cost £6.00. We're expecting to finish at ten, so there will still be time for a pint at the Crown or the Colwall Park!

You can pay at the door or get tickets from either Colwall Church Office (01684 540330) or from John Goodwin's Colwall office.

As your correspondant is responsible for fundraising at St James, he humbly points out that if you support this event you'll definitely be remembered in his prayers!!

Next time: Arthur Brown

Arthur returns on 8th November. I did a gig with Arthur last Saturday and he was on sparkling form, Don't be late!

Amy Roberts - Gentlemens' Relish

Amy Roberts played to a full house at Malvern last night, accompanied by her Gentlemen of Jazz, and a seriously good time was had by everyone, even though the aforementioned 'gentlemen' were actually a familiar bunch of old reprobates!



Its hard to know what to say about Amy's talent without sounding like patronising old fart. You just don't expect such maturity of playing in someone her age, and she's only just started! None of us who accompanied her are in any doubt that she will be one of the great jazz voices of the next generation in the UK, if she chooses that career. It was a huge pleasure to welcome her to Spring Lane, and we'll invite her back as soon as she can fit us into a demanding schedule.



Many thanks to Richard Leach, Roger Heeley and Graham Smith for their part in a great evening, and thanks to all of you for turning out in force. Don't forget, you are the reason why the best musicians love visiting us.

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Next - 25 Oct - Amy Roberts

We're looking forward to backing Amy on her first visit to Spring Lane. It's bound to be a fun night. Be there!

New Washboard Syncopators - rub-a-dub!

The 'boys' (well gents) were on great form and played to a full house. Apart from their enthusiasm, style and all round good bandsmanship, the great thing about a night with the NWS is that you've never heard most of their repertoire anywhere else. Of the eighteen songs they played, I can honestly say I've never heard any other band play twelve of them. That's down to the work of (mainly) Chris Carmel and Dave Braidley in sniffing them out like well-trained bloodhounds.

It was fun and it was the authentic 'pop music' of the 1920s. Not what we normally do at Malvern, to be sure, but what a treat. I think the band is real working example that authenticity doesn't have to be boring. And having sat through many too many dire Colyeresque grey evenings, I sez 'Hats off to the New Washboard Syncopators'.

I'm sure they'll be back at Malvern, but if you want to see them sooner, check out Jazz Guide.

Monday, 28 September 2009

Tilla

A new restaurant has opened at Link Top, called Tilla, serving high class asian cuisine. Why is this of interest to jazz fans? Because the owner Mr Ali has invested mightily in facilities for live music and kindly chose your correspondant for his opening night last week. The food is of a high standard, if a tad more pricey that his local competition, but it's worth noting that many of the dishes include rice and veg in the headline price.

There won't be music every night, and a routine has yet to be established. However, if you decide to look in, please mention that you heard about the restaurant via the jazz club, as that will further endear the jazz fraternity to the owner!