ABBEY JAZZ

Next Sunday - 8th November

2009-11-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

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?

Jazz at Colwall Church - 21st November

2009-10-26T04:09:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-26T04:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

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.

Next - 25 Oct - Amy Roberts

2009-10-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-10-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Tilla

2009-09-28T01:41:00.000-07:00

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!

Next up - New Washboard Syncopators - 11 October

2009-09-28T01:35:00.000-07:00

We look forward to the return by popular request of Chris Carmel and his merry men. Those of us who enjoyed the band last year will recall their taste for numbers long forgotten from the 20's and 30's - numbers in the 'dont write them like that any more' category.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, borrow somebody's copy of the first compilation CD and listen to I Want to Play Piano in a Cathouse!

Chris tells me that the boys have added a string of new numbers to their list, so expect the unexpected!

Hallam ! The Mutts Nuts!

2009-09-28T01:27:00.000-07:00

With apologies, just a brief report as I'm disappearing for a few days hols this morning.

John Hallam fought his way down the M6 yesterday to give us an absolutely superb two sets, backed impeccably by Roger Heeley, Tony Sharp and Roy Dutton. Whether he was on clarinet, tenor or baritone, John held a full Spring Lane spellbound, and did so with a repertoire from Eubie Blake to Gerry Mulligan. It's the mark of a master jazz musician that he can generate such swing and musical excitement by playing quietly, and his backing band were just the men for the job too.

All in all one of the best nights at Malvern for ages and a privilege to be present. Not bad value for a fiver, eh?!

Next Time - John Hallam returns

2009-09-18T04:09:00.001-07:00

The ever-popular JH makes a very welcome return. accompanied by Mssrs Healey, Dutton and Sharp. Admission £5. Don't be late!

Better Late than Never!

2009-09-18T03:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the late post! It's been one of those weeks.

But much better late than not at all, to report a great evening last Sunday with Tony Pipkin, Richard Leach, Ian Jameson, Ken Jones, Derek Bennett, Len and me. The band was swinging like crazy, as the recording attested.

We had not heard Ian Jameson at Spring Lane before. He proved to be a clarinetist of taste, accuracy and a lovely liquid tone that fitted perfectly with the music we played. Must get him back! Tony Pipkin! Yet again Tony demonstrated his ability to mould his style to the men around him and he played some cracking stuff - relaxed, melodic and yet completely holding our attention. And Richard leach, freed of the onus of leading his own bands, gave us a tour of his improvisational skills which are considerable.

I hadn't played with Derek before, and it was a pleasure, not to mention a discovery. The Zeniths must be a great band to play in with Derek driving their rhythm section.

Well, its taken me till Friday to get over the cold kindly shared with me by the guys I was recording with over the weekend. That's my excuse for missing the usual deadlines, anyway.

TTFN

Next up - 13th September - some new faces

2009-09-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

We'll be welcoming to Malvern IAn Jameson on clarinet and Derek Bennett on drums, together with Tony Pipkin making a welcome return, with Ken Jones on piano.

And please note in your diaries that we have the great John Hallam visiting on 27th September, always a popular event.

Then, on 11th October, the second appearance at Spring Lane of the New Washboard Syncopators. If you missed them last year, catch them this time without fail, for their great repertoire of little heard popular music from the 20's. Absolutely not yer average trad band, trust me!

New Vibes at Spring Lane

2009-09-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

For those of you who couldn't be there last Sunday a Vibraphone is not the latest offering from Nokia, but the instrument played by George Cummings, who if I'm not mistaken gave us the first ever appearance at the club of this fabulous jazz instrument. And it was great to hear that luscious sound filling out the ensemble and featuring in solos.

Led by Arthur Brown, who we hadn't seen for ages at Malvern, we certainly had a full band sound going in every way. Peter Carlton was head reedsman, but was joined at times by the saxes of John Ripper and Alan Jaeger, so that by the end of the evening we had a five man front line and a four man rhythm section that included the welcome return of Rod Kelly and Ken Wright. While the overall result may have been lacking a little in discipline, we certainly had a lot of fun!

We very much hope to get George and his vibes back in the future. George told me, incidentally, that the instrument is the one he bought originally over 40 years ago, and it was only later that I reflected how much they must have cost back then! His playing was great and a first time for me after more that 40 years in jazz - presumably because none of my mates in Liverpool had dads rich enough to buy them one!

Please Support Jazz Express at the Bakery

2009-08-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

Ted Taylor tells me that Jazz Express will be playing at the Bakery Inn, Malvern Link, next Ssunday, August 23rd.

Please support this gig if you possibly can - the pub doesn't advertise it, and it would be a real shame if this excellent band has to find another venue. Heard them Tuesday at the Fox and Hounds and they were really swinging.

Keep music live, folks. We can do that by being there!!

No session next time: 16th Aug

2009-08-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, folks, its Pershore that weekend. Please support Graham and Maggies magnificent efforts, and we''ll see you back at Malvern at the end of August.
TTFN

How relaxed was that!?

2009-08-03T01:56:00.000-07:00

World banking crisis? Noah's Ark seen on Malvern High Street? Dinosaurs spotted in 10 Downing street? No worries. Last night at Spring Lane, we were all seriously laid back, chilled out and jammin' for England. That session, ladies and gentlemen, was the kind that sent the musicians away with slightly silly grins on their faces.

How come? A combination of things, I guess.

Len's usual magic trick of putting together a pick-up band that feels as though it's been together for yonks;
The fact that Pete Ainge has the great gift of leading a front line through a mix of irresistable swing and his gift for entertaining in such a relaxed way;
The way Richard Leach and Roger Manwaring responded - both on sparkling form last night, I thought;
A rhythm section sound I wish I could bottle, 'cause I'd be rich if I could;
A full room and an audience that gave us the best possible encouragement.

It was just so satisfying to be part of that band last night. And it was a nice bonus when Ted Taylor arrived with his flugel horn, to add an extra richness to the front line.

I'm sure there will be a couple of tracks from last night on the next compilation CD. Thanks to all concerned, and especially to you, the audience.

Next up (2nd August): Ainge, Manwaring

2009-07-20T04:03:00.000-07:00

We look forward to the welcome return of Pete Ainge on trumpet, and Roger Manwaring on reeds. Ken Jones will join us again and Graham Smith will be our drummer.

Swinging for England!

2009-07-20T03:36:00.000-07:00

While the Aussies were swinging their bats at Lords, and Tom Watson wasn't quite swinging it well enough to beat Cink at Turnbury, there was certainly a winning performance at Malvern last night, as we hosted Bobby Johnson, Terry Roberts and Ken Jones of the Martinique, and Martin Emeny of many guises.

Last time these visitors came together, we had one of the best nights of 2008. Its hard to pin down why, but I guess it's the style and drive of the two frontliners that gets its own response from the rhythm section. It's certainly a pleasure to back them. There are sure to be some tracks from last night on the next compilation CD, as a quick check this morning revealed that the recording 'came out' well.

Thanks to Ken, who drove all the way from Maidstone to entertain us last night. Thanks too, to Jane's stand-in behind the bar, who drove from North Wales. Of course, we all send best wishes to Jane for a good recovery from her knee op.

And many thanks to you all for supporting the club in such numbers last night. The music is alive and well in Malvern, ain't it!

19th July - Johnson and Roberts Return

2009-07-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Last Autumn, we had Bobby Johnson and Terry Roberts (plus Ken Jones) for a session which turned out to be one of 2008's very best. (Some of the evidence is to be found on the first Abbey 'best of' CD).

They're back, on 19th July, with Ken J on piano, and Martin Emeny on drums.

This, I promise you, will swing!

Slide Show!

2009-07-07T06:07:00.000-07:00

With three captivating trombone players, led by the marvellous Roy Williams accompanied by Ron Hills and Martin Veasey, we had a night to remember. Even with the very best musicians, it's a gamble putting three of the same instrumental voices together, but if you were there, you'll already know it paid off.

I'll be honest, I didn't really know how well it had actually gone until I reviewed the recording the next morning.

The reason? Well Len and I were concentrating so hard on our chord charts that we probably had about 5% of our brains left to appreciate the overall effect! And the reason for that was the selection of lovely but infrequently-played music that the front line gave us. It was technically challenging for the guys in the engine room but musically grrrreat.

Here's something else that I discovered on hearing the recording: when you give gifted soloists a lovely melody to work on, its very striking how different their imaginations are. Roy, of course, gave us all the fluidity and melodic inventiveness we've come to admire so much over the years. And both Ron and Martin responded in kind.

I must also say that I have never heard Roger Heeley play better. We were so glad to see him back behind the keyboard, and what he gave us was simply the performance of a man inspired (I almost said possessed!!).

I promise you, we've captured some great stuff for the next compilation, and our thanks go to all the boys, and especially Roy, for letting us do that.

5th July - Trombone Summit with Roy Williams

2009-06-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Aided and abetted by Ron Hills and Martin Veasey, Roy will be sure to bring us some of his wonderful improvisations. We're sure this will be a super night and it's likely to be fairly busy, so don't be late. Roger Healey and Roy Dutton will be making welcome returns too.

A Midsummer Nights Dream - Ainge and Manwaring take the stage

2009-06-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

Well there's the longest day gone. The nights are drawing in once again, and its time to look out your wooly jumpers again!

Sometime musicians just click together, and last night Pete and Roger really cluck.

We got through some not-heard-very-often music too - including a surprising number of Ellington tunes. I don't think anyone planned that, it just nicely happened that way.

Thanks for turning out in such numbers too - that's really encouraging for our visiting musicians, and they both remarked on the reception you gave them.

Another point I've noticed: most of us had been working earlier in the day, and I think that adds to the relaxation of our Malvern sessions. Nobody wants to blow the clubhouse roof off, and the result is you get a nice, laid-back swinging evening. Couldn't help noticing some people having a sly dance at the back too!

Thanks are due to everyone involved in producing the latest CDs, half of which had been sold by the end of the evening. Derek Hazell slaved over a hot printer to create the inserts and labels, and I must thank Roger on the front row, without whose finger on the button you wouldn't get the recordings. We look forward very much to getting your comments on the CDs, and are happy to hear suggestions on how we can improve the product. Some limitations, of course, are built into into the machine(s) we use, but do let us have your comments please.

See you next time folks.

CD 'Specials' imminent

2009-06-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who's expressed an interest in the two 'special issue' CDs - the Mike Turner session and the Batemans session. We now have a good idea how many to run off and hope to bring them to you at the next session. Price will be £5 each, profits to the musians fund that pays visitors.

Next time - 21st June

2009-06-08T02:49:00.000-07:00

We'll be welcoming Pete Ainge on trumpet, Roger Manwaring on reeds, Ken Jones on piano, and Martin Emeny will be back on drums. Don't be late!

A Night To Remember...Len Thwaites Sings!!!!!

2009-06-08T02:35:00.000-07:00

After 14 long years, and trying methods from bribery to violence, we finally discovered the knack of getting Thwaites to give us a song. All you have to do is arrange for it to be Bett's birthday! And so, we now have it in the archives, and unless Len transfers a very large sum to my numbered account in Switzerland, it will feature on the next Compilation CD.

So what else happened on this auspicious 14th anniversary?

It was great to have with us two new guests making their first (and hopefully not their last) appearance at Malvern - Ceri Williams and Roger Marks, alongside an old friend Terry Roberts. What a lovely combination we got. Forget about the odd rough jam session edge - the ensemble sound, and the inventive solo work were terrific. This was a vintage Spring Lane occasion, and another tribute to Len's knack of bringing together people who 'click' from the off.

With Rod Kelly back on piano and Martin Emeny on drums, we had a great time on the stand and the audience reaction suggested that you all were enjoying it too.

We were delighted to see Ruth and Ted Frith in the body of the kirk, and Ruth got up to give us a couple of songs, which added a special moment to a great anniversary bash.

I hope we'll be back for many more celebratory parties. Thanks a million for all your support.