Coming Up - 10th May - BateMan Returns!

Bateman! dada, dada, dada, dada, Bateman!

Well actually, two of them - Messrs Alan and Ian, and that nice Mr Manwaring. Not to mention Nick Milward.

That is going to be some night. Last time the Batemans came, in the days before we started routinely recording the sessions, we had one of the most memorable nights I can remember at Malvern. Nearly wore my fingers down to the bone, mind you!

Its going to be good and its going to be fun.

See you there!

Ruth Frith returns.....

....and lives to tell the tale!

It's like one of those recurrent dreams we all know about. You're standing in front of this huge audience (well, alright, small to medium-sized audience!) waiting to sing your best numbers, and behind you is this bunch of hoodlums bent on mayhem.

Speaking as one of the hoodlums, I'm pleased to report that we only really cocked up two of the intros last night, and I'm actually lost in admiration at the way Ruth managed to pull us back onto the straight and narrow path of her arrangements! Lessons learned? Yes, always start with the music the right way up!

But apart from any musical rough edges brought about by senior moments in the rhythm section, especially from your correspondent, we did some lovely songs. And wasn't Martin Veasey terrific? We knew we could expect some lyrical solo work from Martin, as there are few Midlands front-liners so adept at melodic improvisation, and Martin didn't disappoint.

So thanks to Ruth for some lovely numbers we don't often hear at Malvern, and to the rest of the boys too.

Mike Turner

We record with deep sadness the death of Mike Turner on 20th April 2009. We understand his passing was peaceful and that Monika was with him.

Mike last played for us at Malvern on November 24th, when he was in top form and gave us a number of the melodies we had all come to associate with him. We could not know then that Mike would shortly after be diagnosed with cancer. The recordings of that night will now assume a special significance.

Everyone who played with Mike knew him to be a kind, modest and lovely colleague. We shall miss him long and sincerely. May light perpetual shine upon him.

Barry Phillips

It was good to see friends from Abbey Jazz among the hundreds of mourners at the funeral, Thursday, of Barry Phillips. Barry was one of the Midlands' longest-serving trombonists, having begun his career at the age of 17, back in the 50's. I only got to know Barry two years ago, when I joined Johnny Everett's band, The Red Dragons. I soon discovered him to be one of the most interesting musical friends I've ever had - truly a man of many parts.

The funeral was a wonderful mixture of sadness and celebration, and brought out of the woodwork some astonishing people! Quote of the century (and the guys concerned had better remain anonymous!):

A. "Hello ****, I thought you were dead!
B. "Well I was thinking of it, but I knew this many people wouldn't come to my funeral"

It'll be a long time before we forget the Parade Band escorting the coffin, the wonderful male voice choir, and the amazing wake at the Abbey Hotel. Our thanks go out to the family for letting us share the occasion.

Coming Up - 26th April - Ruth Frith returns

Ruth will be back with a new selection of the great melodies in which she specialises. The line-up will differ from her earlier appearance, with Ken Jones on piano and with Martin Veasey joining the band to provide some of the special melodic improvisation for which he's justly famous. Look forward to seeing you there.

Bev Pegg: Ha, ha, yee ha!

Coo! Wot a nite!!

From the stunning violin work of Pete Hartley (why oh why haven'y we seen him before!!??) to the guitar, vocals and jokals of that nice Mr Pegg, we were treated to a helluva good evening.And not forgetting Harry Rowlands and Ken Wright, without whom etc etc.

Pete H has brought a strong and wholly welcome flavour of bluegrass music to this lineup, and with a great choice of numbers to match, the band were terrific. Speaking as a guitarist, I'd also like to say that Bev himself played some absolutely cracking solos last night in between the rest of his hard work.

We had a packed house (a compliment to Bev's previous visits) and from my perch at the bar I could see the good time they were having. Yet again, the Abbey Jazz audience demonstrated that it will embrace every kind of music that's good music.

Thanks Bev, and thanks People!

Reminder - Jazz Express - 3rd May

Don't forget, keep supporting Jazz Express at their new venue, the Bakery Inn.

The next gig will be on Sunday 3rd May at 8.30pm.

There was a good turnout for the April gig, but they can always get a few more in, so put it in your diary.

(PS The beer's good too!)