Great Jazz?

[QUINNY]

At the top of the leaflets advertising this term's events presented by Southampton Jazz Club is the following banner.

Do Yourself a Favour........Come and See some GREAT JAZZ!

I put this at the top of the leaflets as both a tease and partly as a sarcasm. It's a tease because it more or less compels anyone reading it to put in an appearance at the club, just out of curiosity, eh? It's sarcasm because as chairman of what is a small Jazz club, I know damned well that it won't make a blind bit of difference, 'cos most people are so disinterested in Jazz that it will only reach accepting/converted eyes.

Last night we had what was a truly great night of Jazz with the Stan Tracey/Don Weller quartet. All in all, this line up with Clark Tracey on drums and Andy Cleyndert on bass, is one of the very best on the current UK Jazz scene. Luckily their drawing power meant that the club was full and SRO was only available to late comers. They delighted the audience and with what is a very rare event for Stan, they did an encore, after a 2 minute ovation.

It says a lot about the current state of Jazz though. Just last week we kicked off our Autumn term with a band of youngish, up and coming players. The leader, Christian Brewer, is as exciting an Alto Sax player as I have seen in a very long time. He has the technique, the tone and choice of material (including self compositions) to go far. At least two members of this band were better players than their counterparts in the Stan Tracey band and yet we had about one third of the audience. As a club run by volunteers, we have to book bands that will put bums on seats and yet there are a whole raft of fine bands with little prospect of ever playing for us, simply because they are relatively unknown. Although we endeavour to mix it up a little, it is sometimes very difficult to make a leap of faith and book the unknowns, even though they are the future of Jazz.

BTW: Anyone outside of England heard of Stan Tracey et al?

[Forrrce]

I'm going to see Cedar Walton tomorrow...

[QUINNY]

It would be fantastic to have the chance to book someone like Cedar Walton. He's doing the week at Ronnie Scott's, but I doubt if he's that expensive (why not do a short concert tour?) for a decent sized venue.

Who's the first band, Forrrce? It'll be interesting to see what you think of 'em.

[judydoggie]

Dear Quinny:

First: 'cause you're closer to her than I am, click on the website of my good friend Warren Byrd's girlfriend, Saskia Laroo: www.saskialaroo.nl: She's a jazz trumpeter par excellence and a great lady. You'll probably, by now, find stuff about Warren there.

My club's here: www.asianfusion.net/szetok

Take away the suffix /szetok to get the parent company and the music biz I operate, which focuses on jazz (I've left the disco handling to my associate, Ariel Isaacson) but I still putter around here to clear my head 'cause I work 12 hour days all week long.

I've not heard of the gent you mention; but never hesitate to contact me 'bout jazzy stuff 'cause I'm in the thick of it over here, stateside.

Paul a.k.a. JudyDoggie

[QUINNY]

Paul: I think you'd find Stan Tracey of interest. He backed most of the all time American greats in his time as resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's in the '60s. At one time he almost gave up jazz to become a postman after going through drug addiction and beating it. Luckily his wife persuaded him to carry on. He's 77 now, but he still has his famous licks and his technique are they are still instantly recogniseable to any U.K./European Jazz fan.

[K-Bee]

Dear Quinny:

First: 'cause you're closer to her than I am, click on the website of my good friend Warren Byrd's girlfriend, Saskia Laroo: www.saskialaroo.nl: She's a jazz trumpeter par excellence and a great lady. You'll probably, by now, find stuff about Warren there.

My club's here: www.asianfusion.net/szetok

Take away the suffix /szetok to get the parent company and the music biz I operate, which focuses on jazz (I've left the disco handling to my associate, Ariel Isaacson) but I still putter around here to clear my head 'cause I work 12 hour days all week long.

I've not heard of the gent you mention; but never hesitate to contact me 'bout jazzy stuff 'cause I'm in the thick of it over here, stateside.

Paul a.k.a. JudyDoggie

I have two cd's by Saskia Laroo, which I bought without knowing the slightest thing about her. Interesting mix of styles she does. It reminds me a bit of that first album by Candy Dulfer.

[Forrrce]

Cedar gig was solid, if not mind-blowing. First-rate band, though - Javonn Jackson, the legendary Alvin Queen, (first time I've seen him live) who's one of jazz drumming's best kept secrets; and David Williams on bass. I actually got to talk to him briefly this time and he was surprised I remembered his one-off disco LP for AVI, 'Soul Is Free'. Second set was the best, in my opinion. Typical audience...not exactly there for the music. One guy in front of us was virtually in pain for the whole gig. 'How can you listen to this music?' he blubbed... :roll:

Who's the first band, Forrrce? It'll be interesting to see what you think of 'em.

Theo Travis Quartet. Medicore material, competent bass and piano, fluid alto and very interesting flute from Theo...and a rugged but superbly funky drummer called Simon(?) Parnell. That boy rocks. Closing tune was absolutely out-of-order.