Jazz Strata

Many thanks to Peter Carlton and his merry men for making the trip from Brummagem after playing at lunchtime there. We're happily accustomed to welcoming Peter to various front lines dreamt up by Len (as indeed we also welcome Tony Pipkin and Rod Kelly), but it was good to see/hear Peter in the comfortable surroundings of his own band.

On what was a hot night climatically, Jazz Strata gave us a cooler feeling, esp when Tony went onto flugelhorn (or was it a tenor horn, I can never tell the difference?).

Thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered CDs. I shall now set about making them!

Fame at Last!!

The Malvern Gazette have given generous coverage to the fifteenth anniversary of Abbey Jazz. Check it out in this week's issue. This prompts us, once again, to thank Malvern Rugby Club for their generosity in hosting us, and thereby making it possible to bring the best musicians to Spring Lane at prices people can afford.Happy anniversary and congrats to Len.

Next Session - Peter Carlton and his band.

A special occasion beckons, when Peter C comes with his regular bandmates. Be there or be square.

Warm Welecome for Clive Burton!

The first appearance of trombonist Clive Burton at Malvern was as exciting as it was welcome. And alongside the returning Gary Wood we got yet another terrific evenings entertainment at Spring Lane. I came across Clive at a very unpromising gig during the Autumn last year - to cut a long story short, Clive and I ended up entertaining a large room of diners on our own. I soon realised what a gifted player he is, told Len, and last night you could hear for yourselves. I'm very sure we'll be asking Clive to make the journey from Reading again.

Gary once again showed what a terrific discovery (for us, that is) he has been, and a fine band leader.

It was so good to find ourselves playing stuff we haven't tried before, including numbers like I Could Write a Book, Caravan, Whispering, and Hear Me Talkin To Yuh. Many thanks to, to the other boys in the rhythm section - Rod Kelly, Martin Emeny and Len T - for creating such a rock solid basis for the front line to shine.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and for being such an unbelievably receptive group of friends to play to - we had a ball.