Better late than never with this report, I guess. We've been away in the Lakes, with our heads in the clouds. (So what's new, I hear you ask!)
I dimly recall a great evening with Alan B on trumpet, Frank Abrams on reeds, Richard Leach on sludgepump, and Barry Norman on traps. I dimly recall laughing a lot. I definitely recall playing all kinds of stuff very fast. I recall Barry looking at me across the hi-hat with one of those "can this really be happening to me?" expressions of his. I definitely remember that Len didn't sing.
I know it must have been a great evening because you all insisted on More More, so we did.
Thank you for snapping up our Greatest Hits CD by the several. We do have some left, which would be a credit to anyone's collection, it says here.
Many many thanks to our great guests for a rip-roaring night. We'll look forward to their return and more of the same.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
CD is in production!
We've made the first batch of CDs, and they will be on sale on 15th Feb, priced £5.
If you couldn't make it last Sunday, and didn't get the chance to order yours, don't worry. We're making them in small batches, and they will be routinely available on club nights.
There are 14 tracks, and about 75 minutes of music on the disc, recorded between early September 08 and January 09.
We're really grateful to the musicians who feature on the recordings, and who gave their generous permission for us to record the sessions. As you (and they) know, whatever profit we make on the CDs goes into the fund that pays visiting musicians, especially on the occasional Winter night when some people decide to stay at home in front of the fire.
I'd like also to take this opportunity of thanking Derek Hazell for his work in designing the packaging, not to mention being part of the assembly line.
Can we also encourage you to give us feedback about this first CD? You should find the music sounds pretty good through your home stereo. There isn't a lot we can do, within the cost/equipment constraints we have, to improve the actual recording quality. However, it's helpful to hear what you like or dislike, and feedback will also help us to decide whether it's worth producing future volumes.
Remember, you're buying an exclusive, limited edition collector's item, which could be worth thousands one day! And if we catch you making a fortune on E-Bay, you're definitely buying the drinks.
If you couldn't make it last Sunday, and didn't get the chance to order yours, don't worry. We're making them in small batches, and they will be routinely available on club nights.
There are 14 tracks, and about 75 minutes of music on the disc, recorded between early September 08 and January 09.
We're really grateful to the musicians who feature on the recordings, and who gave their generous permission for us to record the sessions. As you (and they) know, whatever profit we make on the CDs goes into the fund that pays visiting musicians, especially on the occasional Winter night when some people decide to stay at home in front of the fire.
I'd like also to take this opportunity of thanking Derek Hazell for his work in designing the packaging, not to mention being part of the assembly line.
Can we also encourage you to give us feedback about this first CD? You should find the music sounds pretty good through your home stereo. There isn't a lot we can do, within the cost/equipment constraints we have, to improve the actual recording quality. However, it's helpful to hear what you like or dislike, and feedback will also help us to decide whether it's worth producing future volumes.
Remember, you're buying an exclusive, limited edition collector's item, which could be worth thousands one day! And if we catch you making a fortune on E-Bay, you're definitely buying the drinks.
Feb 15th - hot, hot, hot!
Alan Bateman (tpt) and Frank Abrams (reeds), plus Richard Leach (tbn) will be with us in what is certain to be a hot night's work. Each time Alan visits, we have a storming session, so be prepared to have your ears pinned back. Len and I had the pleasure of playing with Alan on an October jazz weekend in Weston last year, and he was on cracking form then. Surely one of the Uk's best trumpeters at the present time. Can't wait! We'll be joined too by Barry Norman on drums.
The Fabulous Baker(y) Boys
It was great to welcome back Ted Taylor and Martin Veasey, together of course with Peter Carlton and Martin Emeny, last Sunday. And considering what an 'orrible cold night it was, it was great to see so many of you there too. Thank you for supporting us.
The music was relaxed and easy. Teds trumpet lead, as I listened to the recordings on Monday, was immaculate, tasteful and swinging. And of course he was superbly backed up by Peter and Martin. We played the classic small band swing numbers and (at least from inside the rhythm section) we felt it was chugging along a treat. We hadn't seen Peter C for several months either, and it was a pleasure to back him, especially on the feature numbers he played.
Thanks too to John Ripper who sat in for a few on baritone sax. John was perhaps surprised to find himself immortalised on Volume 1 of our "Best Of" CD, but he shouldn't be, as his big sound made a significant contribution to several of last year's sessions.
We hope as many people as possible will support Jazz Express (featuring Ted and Martin of course) at their new (and experimental) venue, the Bakery Inn at Malvern Link. If we can pack it out for them on their first night, Sunday 8th Feb, no doubt the boss there will firm up the arrangement. Do your bit to keep music live!!
The music was relaxed and easy. Teds trumpet lead, as I listened to the recordings on Monday, was immaculate, tasteful and swinging. And of course he was superbly backed up by Peter and Martin. We played the classic small band swing numbers and (at least from inside the rhythm section) we felt it was chugging along a treat. We hadn't seen Peter C for several months either, and it was a pleasure to back him, especially on the feature numbers he played.
Thanks too to John Ripper who sat in for a few on baritone sax. John was perhaps surprised to find himself immortalised on Volume 1 of our "Best Of" CD, but he shouldn't be, as his big sound made a significant contribution to several of last year's sessions.
We hope as many people as possible will support Jazz Express (featuring Ted and Martin of course) at their new (and experimental) venue, the Bakery Inn at Malvern Link. If we can pack it out for them on their first night, Sunday 8th Feb, no doubt the boss there will firm up the arrangement. Do your bit to keep music live!!
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