My Love of Music

Alan Barnes

2010-10-01T14:10:00.001+01:00

Alan Barnes, originally uploaded by Jeff Hardcastle.

Saw this gut a couple of weeks ago at Googlies Jazz Supper Club. He is a great player and is very entertaining.

He makea wonderful sound on this baritone.

The Old Joanna

2010-09-03T14:58:00.001+01:00

The Old Joanna, originally uploaded by Jeff Hardcastle.

Saw this beautiful old pina in a pub.

Pete Long and Lewis Wright

2010-08-28T16:23:00.001+01:00

Pete Long and Lewis Wright, originally uploaded by Jeff Hardcastle.

Pete Long is a fast and furious sax and clarinet player and Lewis wright a young but experienced vibes player. They got together last Thursday to play a selection of Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton's original arrangements.

It was a wonderful evening with both players linking musically.

John Etheridge

2010-02-25T13:54:00.001Z

John Etheridge, originally uploaded by Jeff Hardcastle.

Once in a while I see a jazz player who is new to me and who I make a mental note to see again. john Etheridge is one of those players. We went to se him last Thursday at Googlies Jazz Supper Club and were immediately a fan. This man can play guitar and with speed and dexterity that is mesmerising.

If you get the chance go see him.

The Croydon Reading Room Jazz group

2009-12-04T08:53:00.001Z

P1000566, originally uploaded by jassray.

This is a group I play in every week. It is only an amateur band but it is great fun and the emphasis is on learning.

I have learnt a great deal playing with them and this photograph is taken at our first concert.

Jazz Workshop

2009-07-14T10:54:00.004+01:00

We had a great night at the Royston Jazzworkshop last night. I am not sure if it was the heat or the music but everyone seemed to be in the mood for a good blow. As we play our repertoire alphabetically we are currently ploughing through song starting with the letter 'S'. Last night was Satin Doll, Straight No Chaser, Song for My Father and Sidewinder.

I think I did fairly well. Satin Doll I have played a couple of times now and slowly getting the feel of how to change the rhythms so that they are interesting. I had never played Straight No Chaser before so just fell back on playing the blues scale. I would prefer to play something different but until I know the songs better it will do for now.

Song For My Father is a song I played for hours with my jazz teacher so am confident with it but still have lots of work to do.

Side winder was a new one too and just struggled through.

All in all I had a great night and felt very high afterwards. this is the music I want to play. The Harlow Concert Band is alright but it does not compare with improvising and jazzing like this. It may only be at an amateur level but it will do for me.

Harlow Concert Band

2009-07-09T14:06:00.000+01:00

Harlow Concert Band

2009-07-09T14:02:00.001+01:00

Me playing clarinet for the Harlow Concert Band.

At the Jazz Workshop

2009-07-07T14:03:00.003+01:00

Last night I attended the jazz workshop that I have recently joined and I had had another great night. I have been messing about with playing jazz for some time now but never had an outlet for my playing. I have a huge amount to learn but had nowhere to put my theory studies into practise.

This workshop has solved that. Don't get me wrong I am still struggling with the chords and sales but each week getting more and more confident to be experimental.

Last night we played, Summertime, Now's the Time, St. Thomas and Sister Sadie. Summertime I tried to play just the b minor pentatonic scale (I play alto sax) and it sort of worked but I did not quite like what I was playing. But it felt like good experience not just messing the melody.

Now's the Time was for my instrument a d blues which I am familiar with and had a good time with he d blues scale. But now I understand what others have said about too much use of the blues scale can get boring. I will find other scales that I can use to make it more interesting. Both St Thomas and Sister Sadie were a bit of a disaster for me as I had no idea what to play over the chord progression. But that is the value of a workshop like this. It shows your weaknesses and gives you something to work towards.

I drove home with a real buzz and sang along to the Miles Davis CD ' Kind of Blue'.

I love jazz.

Adam Glasser

2009-07-03T15:27:00.004+01:00

On the 25th June we went to GoogliesJazz to see jazz harmonica player Adam Glasser. We had a fantastic night and I thoroughly enjoyed his music. The chromatic harmonica is a rare instrument to be heard and even rarer in the jazz world. But this guy created great sounds and deserves a wider audience.

His repertoire was a mixture of jazz standards and South African jazz. In fact a particular South African number was the highlight for me. The tenor player Bill Yeomans of the house band had obviously never seen some of the chord charts before that night but this did not put him off. After the melody which, had a very african taste to it, he got down to improvise. He done a great job and it was clear that he did struggle at first but once he got the harmonies in his head he hit the right notes.

The whole audience errupted at the end as did Adam Glaser himself.

A night to remember.

MondayJam

2009-06-23T11:01:00.003+01:00

One day whilst browsing the web I googled the keywords jazz workshop and came up with one not far from where I live. after a couple of e-mails to the organiser I got an invite to join them and last night I attended my first jam with them.

I have to say from the outset that i had a fantastic night. The people were very friendly and of about the same ability as me. There was a nice range of instruments being played with tenor and alto saxophones, clarinets guitars and a trumpet. The rhythm section was good with a very enthusiastic drummer.

We played a good range of standards and I think I improvised well on most. The songs I did struggle with were 'The A train' and 'Blue bossa'. But that is the point of a workshop, learning. There was no pressure to play a solo, it was left up to you and everyone was supportive.

This will be a regular thing for me and I hope that my jazz education will now flourish.

Derek Nash

2009-04-01T15:35:00.003+01:00

The White Hart Jam jazz

2009-03-16T14:26:00.006Z

Well I have finally done it. After all the practise, studying and lessons from various people I have at last performed some jazz in front of an audience. This important event in my musical education took place last night at the White Hart Public House, Wimbish, Essex. To get there has been a long journey, rather like the trip we had trying to find the Pub. My jazz journey started a couple of years ago with a lot of enthusiasm but very little direction. After a while I started to find my way although very slowly. It helped to have a good map. I used the Jamey Aebersold play-a-long books a great deal and read them over and over again. I learnt how to practise my scales and arpeggios with a purpose in mind and with every turn and new road began to understand more and more. I played tunes at home and struggled to improvise over the chords. I studied jazz theory and tried to get my head around dominant 7th’s and ii-v7-1 sequences. I also attended a couple of jazz workshops at the Benslow Music Trust which were fun but really only highlighted my ignorance and what I needed to know to progress further.
Eventually I recognised the need to stop and ask someone the way. After a lot of searching I found a great teacher in Hannah Horton who has helped me enormously. She has given me better directions and taught me exactly which roads to take during my improvisation. I still have a great deal to learn but last night I was able to exorcise a ghost of the past (See Half Moon link) and now feel that I am on the right road to continue my mission.
The White Hart PH is in the wilds of the Essex countryside. It took us ages to find it. We seemed to be going round in circles in the dark looking for a sign. Backwards and forwards we travelled until eventually we gave up looking and asked someone the way. We discovered we were just yards away. This is just like my music; I was close but not close enough. But now I feel I am in top gear and on my way.

2009-02-10T14:32:00.002Z

The above is British Jazz trumpeter Steve Waterman.

I recently saw him perform at Googlies Jazz Super Club near Enfield. He played with his usual blend of ballads and upbeat standards. He is one of my favopurite players and I was pleased to get a good picture of him.

No more Ray's Jazz Cafe

2009-01-06T15:18:00.005Z

Yesterday was a sad day for me. I went to one of my favourite places in London and found that it had gone. At least in the form that I loved.

Ray's Jazz cafe was a CD and Cafe located on the first floor of Foyle's Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London. Whenever I descended the stairs from the street the smell of roasted coffee greeted me like an old friend. After passing through the grey double doors into the cafe the wonderful warm sound of jazz hit my ears. The combination of both of these delights seemed to transport me to heaven on earth.

Ray's was an independent record shop selling Jazz, Blues and World music. It was a great place to browse and look for discs that the mainstream shops like HMV did not stock. It sold jazz books and magazines, in was a place that if you looked carefully you always thought you might rub shoulders with a jazz great.

But sadly yesterday all I found was a larger cafe selling coffee but without the music. Signs on the walls directed me to the third floor for the CD's where, I found CD's but no coffee. The record store had been turned into a grey lifeless Cd's store. No warmth, no music playing and no place for me.

I left and will never return.

Concert at Orton Longueville School, Peterborough

2008-10-13T15:10:00.003+01:00

Have you ever heard people say that when they listen to beautiful music, it can move them? Well, I can report that on Saturday 11th Oct music moved me to the core.

You see I was playing in a concert that brought together the City of Peterborough and Harlow Concert Bands. This is an annual get together held at alternate venues and this year it was Peterborough’s turn to play host. Because of the large amount of players (over 60) the stage at Orton Longueville School, where we sat, was a little crowded.

I was positioned, with my tenor saxophone, directly in front of the drummer. We were so close there was not even room for a piece of sheet music between the back of my chair and his drum kit. I did not think anything of this until the first time he put the pedal down on the bass drum. The vibrations were so intense they caused the portion of succulent roast beef I had eaten only an hour before to dance in my stomach. When he violently beat four beats to the bar on the tenor drum the bread and butter pudding that had earlier followed the beef, followed it again only this time jumping up and down in the double helping of custard. Another reminder of how that deadly sin ‘greed’ should be avoided at all cost.

During our rendition of that upbeat tune ‘All that jazz’ from the show Chicago, The air around my ears swirled like a tornado each time he hit the symbol immediately behind my head. But whilst blowing a high note, I happened to lean too far back in my chair and my head inadvertently went under the shivering circle of brass. Just at that precise moment, the now uncontrollable percussionist hit the bloody thing. As a result, instead of a beautiful piercing sound which fully enhanced the effect of the music, it sounded like someone hitting a dustbin lid with a piece of raw haddock.

So by the end of the evening I was exhausted. I had bruises on top of my head, I was in the early stages of chronic indigestion and my ears were developing a severe case of tinnitus.

I look forward to Christmas and some nice quiet carols.

A Tight Sqeeze

2008-10-10T14:13:00.003+01:00

The Papaya fruit is a yellow coloured fruit grown in Mexico. If cut open its core reveals a tightly packed cluster of seeds. So What! I here you say. Well the reason I mention this is because not only did the tune ‘Papaya’ feature in Harlow Concert Bands latest musical feast, but also because of the tight space with which we had to sit and play. It was so close that most of the band members felt like the seeds inside of the aforementioned fruit.

The venue was a very pretty 14th century church at Watton-on-Stone, Hertfordshire dedicated to St. Andrew and St. Mary. However, this is a place of worship and not designed to house 30 or so instrumentalists who require various amounts of space for their large lumps of brass and elbows. There was no stage. Why should there be? We just squeezed where we could into the area around the choir stalls. The brass section managed to find space towards the Alter, the saxophones sat under the pulpit and those that were left such as clarinets, oboes and flutes sat where they could fit in. Of course the conductor was alright. He had plenty of space around him to swing a cat, let alone a baton. I suppose that’s the privilege of being in charge.

Any way the music went down well and the audience was very appreciative. The highlight? It has to be our rendition of ‘Papaya’ and Paul Cutler who played the trombone solo so exquisitely. Because of where he stood I had the full benefit of his sound inches from my right ear. But it was by no means unpleasant. He produced a wonderful warm tone which seemed to fit the beguine/Cuban style of the composition. Close your eye and you could just imagine yourself sitting by the warm sea drinking a rum and coke.

And as a final thought. The church apparently was used by the Cromwell’s army to house Royalist prisoners during the Civil war. As I sat there squashed up against the choir stalls on one side and a fellow saxophone player the other, I wondered who else sat in that space over 400 years earlier. He probably have more room to move than I did.

Concert at Royal British Legion, Harlow

2008-05-01T12:35:00.002+01:00

The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served or are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants. They have social clubs up and down the country that provide a venue for social events and a place for members to meet.

Last night the Harlow Concert Band played at the Royal British Legion club, Harlow. Despite the fact that this was the same night that Chelsea was playing Liverpool in the semi-final of the Champions league there was a good crowd. There was a big screen showing the football in an adjoining room so those that were interested in the score could keep one eye on the match.

Mike Pearce, our conductor, chose film and show music as our theme and our repertoire included tunes from The Sound of Music, Paint your Wagon and the Big Country. Also included were Amparito Roca, The Radetzky March and Rod Stewart’s, Sailing (what does that Morse code rhythm mean?). I may be biased but I thought that we sounded very good. Everyone played very well and it was a great night. My highlight was when we played ‘Moonlight Serenade’. This tune just makes me tingle and to be able to play it whilst sitting in the middle of a concert band is just a fantastic feeling. I wish we could play more Glenn Miller music.

Chelsea eventually beat their opponents and all the blue shirted supporters went home happy. Judging by the demand for an encore and the standing ovation we got, our crowd went home just as happy. The Blues are off to Moscow now to play the Reds. We, on the other hand, will remain in Harlow and rehearse for our next concert. They play for Champions League gold, we play for ABBA Gold.

License plate from New York City

2008-04-08T14:35:00.001+01:00

Saw this license plate during my sojourn to the

Big Apple.

A Times Square Busker

2008-04-08T14:33:00.002+01:00

The Brill Building

2008-04-08T14:24:00.002+01:00

This is the Brill Building at 1619 Broadway, Manhattan.

It's musical connection is with the music publishers that

had offices here during the 1940's. 50's and 60's.

Songs that were published here were played by 'Big Bands' such as

Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and the Dorsey Brothers.

Strawberry Fields

2008-04-02T14:35:00.004+01:00

This is the memorial to John Lennon. It is situated in Central Park, New York. Close to where he lived which can be seen above.

B.B.Kings, Times Square

2008-03-24T23:37:00.003Z

BB Kings blues bar and grill Times Square, NYC

It looks too touristy for me.

Sunday Jazz Brunch

2008-03-24T23:32:00.003Z

This is the North Square restaurant at

Washington Square, New York City.

On Sundays they have jazz playing in the lounge.

We saw the Roz Corral Trio with James Shipp on vibes

and Paul Gill on double bass.

Radio City Music Hall

2008-03-23T13:21:00.003Z

Arrived in New York City yesterday and found this a block from our hotel on 6th avenue.

The lights look fantastic.

Simon Spillett

2008-03-14T13:17:00.000Z

Simon Spillett is a fast energetic bebop tenor sax playing of the highest order. He plays at the speed of Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of his formula 1 car. But speed is not at the expense of his music. His notes do not blur and disappear into each other. His articulation is clear and precise. He is very good to listen to. His gig last night at Googlies Jazz Club was very enjoyable and made for a good comparison with the sax players of the last two weeks. Like Clatworthy, Spillett played lyrical phrases which were intriguing to hear. Like Barnes he interspersed his playing with comical chatter and jokes. But Spillett has his own jazz personality and any further comparison with others is futile. He has his own style. He plays quick and frantic with the upbeat tunes, calm and sensitive with the ballads.

During the night he confessed to his love and admiration for Tubby Hayes. Hayes was a young British jazz player who in the words of Spillett’ was the best tenor saxophonist this country has ever produced’. Spillett’s new album, ‘Sienna Red’ is collection of tunes composed or connected in some way with Tubby Hayes; indeed part of the line-up includes ex Hayes drummer Spike Wells.

So, this was another excellent night of top quality jazz in this wonderful warm friendly jazz club. I often feel privileged to be able to go here week after week and see the best of British jazz. Indeed Simon Spillett indicated last night that according to the bulk of British jazz artists, Googlies is fast becoming the gig to play. This is good news for us jazz loving punters. The more the word gets around the more great jazz we get to listen to. Bring it on!

Sleepy Lagoon

2008-03-13T13:48:00.001Z

I had not been to a Harlow band rehearsal for a couple of weeks and it was nice to get back. Although towards the end of the second half my mouth started to get tired and I consequently found it hard to blow. Thinking back I had realised that I had not played much over the last few weeks and this illustrates the need to practise. I remember when I was learning to play clarinet that if I did not play for been a few days my embouchure would suffer. A wise old man once told me that if you don’t practise for one day no one would notice, for two days you will notice, if you don’t practise for three days everyone will notice. I find that this is less important with the saxophone as there is less need to tighten the mouth on the higher notes. But last night proved to me that you have to keep playing to keep the mouth strong.

We had a good rehearsal taken by Paul Cutler as our regular MD was sick. We played a medley of Beatles songs and a Toccata for band which was interesting. We finished off with an old favourite of ours ‘Sleepy Lagoon’ written in 1930 by English composer Eric Coates and used for the BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs.

Hurricane Smith

2008-03-10T14:26:00.003Z

Have just learnt of the sad news that Norman Smith died last week. I met him a few times during the time my father worked with him in the 70's and remember him to be a friendly man. He has always been a major part of my life due to the connection with my dad and 'Oh babe what would you say'.

There is a very nice obituary on timesonline.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3506322.ece?Submitted=true

Googlies Jazz Supper Club

2008-03-07T15:04:00.004Z

Colin Peters, pianist and leader of the house quartet

at Googlies Jazz club.

Mike Cole, ex bass player of Mungo Jerry

now resident at Googlies Jazz club.

Bill Yeomans, house reed and flute player,

and drummer John Jarvis in background.

Alan Barnes

2008-03-07T15:02:00.000Z

After the crash bang wallop music of Wednesday night it was good to get back to the comfort of Googlies Jazz Club. Top of the bill was saxophonist Alan Barnes. Barnes is not only a very good player he is also a funny and entertaining man. Well, that is to say he is only funny if you enjoy corny jokes. Last nights jokes were particularly corny. But as usual his jazz was wonderful. When Alan Barnes gets booked to play the only thing you have to ask yourself is what instrument he is going to play. Last night he chose alto and baritone saxophone. I have been told that he has been known to bring a bass clarinet. Last night he was very enjoyable on either but I think most people enjoyed listening to him play the ‘big one’. If fact at one stage he gave us the opportunity to choose and it was a landslide victory for the baritone. So, another good night of music and in comparison to Wednesday far more gentile and laid back and more importantly my ears aren’t bleeding.

2008-03-06T14:19:00.001Z

" thats why they call it the blues"

2008-03-06T14:18:00.000Z

Me and the band at the Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

My First Gig

2008-03-06T14:15:00.003Z

Have you ever thought it would be a good idea to do something and then wished you had not even got out of bed that day? That is how I felt yesterday evening. I went along to a blues jam session at the Half Moon PH, Bishops Stortford. I originally meant to go and just listen with a view to deciding whether to play at a later date but after a little encouragement from others on the Breakfast Room Forum (http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/) I thought, what the hell lets have a go. It turned out to be a bad decision.

When I got there I quickly realised that this was not what I had expected. You see I did not think it through properly. This was an electric blues club. People come here to play electric guitar and as loud as they can. They were experienced semi-professionals. Not amateurs like me who was looking to gain experience after a one week jazz course. I knew none of the songs, I knew none of the chord progressions and I was bricking it. By the time I was called up, nearly two hours into the night, my ears were bursting and my mind was a complete blank. I had prepared a little list of blues scales that I intended to refer to when I needed it but the sound coming out of my sax bore no resemblance to what the other guys were playing. Indeed most of the time I could not even hear the sound coming out of my sax. I stood next to a very loud drummer and in front of an enormous guitar amp. There were so many distractions I could not even remember my own name.

Should I have just abandoned the idea and not got up to play? I did consider it for a long while. The biggest problem I had was that I did not know enough about the style of blues being played. Because of all the guitars this was more blues/rock than shuffle. I stood on stage with Led Zeppelin and went down like a lead balloon. Any small number of jazz licks I had learnt were absolutely no use at all. The rhythm and blues I had played at the improvising course was no use at all. I was out of my depth.

So, would I go back? Not on your life. Was it worth it? Yes. I got a great deal of experience out of it. Not in playing terms but knowing what it is like to play on stage in that type of atmosphere. And anyway I am 53 years of age and for fifteen minutes I was in a rock band, which alone was worth the £3 entrance fee. I gave myself 10 out of 10 for courage but nil point for musical content. I got home and had a very large scotch before going to bed with my ears ringing like a church on a Sunday morning. I felt embarrassed about my performance but proud I did not chicken out.

Next Wednesday I will go back to my nice quiet concert band with pages of notes telling me what to play. I can’t wait.

Pirates of Penzance

2008-03-01T14:55:00.004Z

Last night I saw The Carl Rosa production of Pirates of Penzance. We had seen the Mikado some weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. Pirates was also a good show with excellent costumes and sets but it lacked something. I am not sure what it was though. I thought the script lacked warmth places but that is down to Gilbert and Sullivan not the production company of this edition. The singing was good by the main cast and so was the characterisation, but still something just did not work.

I am sorry to say that I did not enjoy Jo Brand. For me this guest appearance did not work. She could not sing which may be forgivable on its own but she could not act either. She looked uncomfortable on stage and very awkward during her songs. Sorry Jo, a brave attempt but stay with what you know.

Ray's Jazz Cafe

2008-02-29T15:01:00.003Z

Ray's Jazz Cafe is on the First floor of Foyle's bookshop Charing Cross Road, London.

It's a great place to have coffee and browse the jazz, blues, roots Cd's. It also has jazz gigs periodically.

Benn Clatworthy

2008-02-29T14:58:00.003Z

Last night Googlies jazz club saw a guest appearance by tenor saxophonist Benn Clatworthy. As a sax player myself I am always looking to learn from the technique of others, particularly the professionals. But there was nothing I saw last night that is going to help me with my playing. Clatworthy plays in his own strange but effective style. He holds his tenor low down in front of him so that he has the appearance of someone holding a heavy weight around his neck. He contorts his face in an expression of severe pain and even his exaggerated leg movements suggest he is in a great deal of discomfort.

But this is only the visual side of this wonderful jazzman. To my ears his music is just superb. I watched and listened all night in sheer fascination. He fills his solos with a myriad of harmonics squeaks and barks from every compass range of his instrument. From the highest note to the lowest he made sounds that were not only musical but also challenging to the aural senses. His use of extended cadenzas without the accompaniment of the house band at the end of many of the numbers was a major part of the night’s entertainment. They were packed full of emotion, tension and excitement. I felt exhausted just watching him.

The only down side of this was that I don’t feel that this type of jazz mixed well with the standard modern swing style of the house band. It is not that the Colin Peters Quartet are not good musicians. They are very good and I always enjoy listening to them. It’s just that their style did not blend well last night with Clatworthy’s more free method.

Still a great night though!

Hank's Guitar Shop

2008-02-28T15:42:00.003Z

Situated in London's Denmark Street, this is a wonderful place to buy an acoustic guitar.

There are hundreds to choose from and the staff are very helpful.

Denmark Street, London

2008-02-28T14:15:00.002Z

The centre of London's music trade.

Macari's music shop

2008-02-28T14:12:00.003Z

Macari's at 92-94 Charing Cross road, London.

A large new and secondhand musical instrument shop.

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

2008-02-28T14:08:00.001Z

London's premier jazz venue in Frith Street

Funkydory

2008-02-28T11:07:00.001Z

Last night we went to the Half Moon PH in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The pub hold a blues club every Wednesday entitled Bluesalive. Most weeks they hold a jam session which I intend to go along to very soon. However, last night they had a gig with a band called Funkydory. As can be seen from other entries to this blog, my preferred listening pleasure is jazz rather than funk but I do enjoy live music and am willing to give anything a try. I am so glad I did. From the outset I knew this was going to be a great night. The four band members were clearly competent musicians which made me sit up and study them very closely.

At the front was vocalist Lorna Reilly. The Funkydory web site (www.funckydory.com) describes her as being “blessed with the voice of an angel”. I don’t know whether angels ever sang this type of music but if they did the gods were no doubt tapping their feet. Lorna’s voice is extremely powerful. Her style of delivery is energetic. Both these attributes give a great presence to the band and ensure that the listener’s attention is on the band and nowhere else.

Lead guitarist is Jules Fothergill. This guy can play. Oh boy can he play. His rhythm was spot on and not too repetitive with each number. His solos were fantastic and I could not help thinking that he would be just as comfortable playing in a jazz band. With each song he varied his sounds and riffs so that we were never sure what was coming next. Music should have a little predictability but not too much. If you get the chance go see this man play.

On the bass was Ian “Lillian” Maurico. Maurico is a left handed player but could not be described in the derisory sense as a south paw. His support play was of the highest quality and kept the funky feel going throughout the night. I was particularly impressed when he and Fothergill played in unison it was a very good sound.

On the skins was a visiting drummer. Unfortunately I did not catch his name but he was great to watch and was clearly enjoying himself as deputy to regular Hayden Doyle. There were a couple of times when I noticed he went out of sync with the band but this can be expected with any substitute. He did give us a treat though when he played out a tremendous drum solo at the end of the evening. He included a lot of variation including playing the rims of his drums quite extensively.

Finally, the one lasting impression I got from this band was that they had fun. They played with smiles on their faces (something we don’t always see at the jazz club) and judging by the long encore did not want the gig to finish. The audience agreed.

Henry Purcell

2008-02-26T13:20:00.004Z

The area around Westminster Abbey, London has a connection with English Baroque composer Henry Purcell. He was born on 10 September 1659 into a family of musicians. His father sang in the Chapel Royal and sang at the coronation of King Charles II. Most of Henry’s brothers were also employed as musicians at some point in their lives.

After his father’s death, Henry became a chorister. He attended Westminster school which is situated next to Westminster Abbey. Not much is known about his early life. He did compose as a young boy but the earliest manuscript that exists that was written by him is dated 1670. In 1676 he became organist for the abbey and continued to compose sacred music. He died at the aged of thirty six in 1695 and was buried next to the organ in Westminster Abbey.

On the corner of Victoria Street and Broadway, SW1 stands a monument to Purcell sculpted by Glyn Williams erected in 1994. Nearby are Westminster Abbey and school. Within the school is Dean’s Yard where Purcell is said to have died.

Pictures from Jazz Course at Benslow Music Trust

2008-02-25T14:07:00.003Z

Just a selection of some of the shots I took at the Jazz course I attended at the Benslow Music Trust in Hitchen, Hertfordshire.

2008-02-25T14:05:00.001Z

A mixed quartet check their tuning.

2008-02-25T13:42:00.001Z

Viktor Obsust giving a lecture

2008-02-25T13:39:00.001Z

A mixture of reeds and brass in this ensemble

2008-02-25T13:36:00.005Z

Some students are getting ready to perform with Viktor Obsust supervising.

Paint Your Wagon

2008-02-21T14:54:00.003Z

Last night was the first band rehearsal I have attended for three weeks, it was good to get back. I am still struggling a bit with my sight reading and playing tenor saxophone which I find can be difficult with some of the fast passages. However, I do feel that I am improving each week and certainly the intensive playing last week has helped. Because of the squeaking I experienced I have bought a new BG leather ligature and am trying a slightly stronger reed (3).

A major part of our rehearsal last night was with a medley of tunes from Paint Your Wagon. It did not look too difficult on the score but a few people found it hard to play. I think it was the odd change of time signature. At one point it went from 2/4 to 3/2 and then split common time. We intend to play this the year with a view to get the audience to sing along to the most famous of songs from the show, Wandering Star.

La Traviata

2008-02-18T15:19:00.003Z

On Valentines night last Thursday I took my sweetheart to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to see Verdi's, La Traviata. Neither of us had seen grand opera before and found this to be a magnificent experience. The venue, the sets the singing everything was just magical. Our seats in the Upper Auditorium gave us good views and although we took a small pair of opera glasses we did not really need them. I thought we were going to struggle to get through the three and a half hours without suffering from numbus bumbus but there were two lengthy intervals so we were able to stand up and give our bottoms a rest. The seats were also comfortable which helped although they were a bit narrow, we will need to lose a few pounds before we go again. The only thing that spoilt the evening was when a fight broke out behind us during the performance. It would seem that someone was sitting in another persons seat. The world is going mad. Even here we can't get away from yobbish behaviour.

Victor Obsust

2008-02-15T14:14:00.005Z

I got back yesterday from the Benslow Music Trust and had a fantastic week learning how to play jazz with Viktor Obsust. There were around twenty of us on the course with various kinds of instruments and levels of experience.

I was very impressed by Viktor’s approach to the subject. He told us that we should play the music that is within us. ‘Making the sound is first, and then comes the theory’ he said. This was very much the theme of the course. My first attempts at improvising sounded dreadful because I did not have the knowledge of what notes to play. I needed the tools to give me a better choice. That’s where learning chords came in. I did lots of work on chords beforehand but had not developed the skills required to use this knowledge whilst actually playing. Viktor coached us to just play and the right sounds would come. If we didn’t like the sound change the note until you did. It may only be a semitone away.

The course was structured in such a way as to allow as much time as possible for playing. At each session we were split into groups of five and given a book containing 557 standard tunes and sent away to a small rehearsal room to practice a couple of tunes. Once this had been done we then reconvened in the main hall and performed our choice of music o the other groups complete with a chorus or two each improvising. This is when I realised that whilst I had some ideas on phrases I had no idea what notes to play within them. I tried to just mess with the melody which is fine if the melody has plenty of notes per bar, but some were a bit simple and therefore I did not have many notes to choose from.

So I changed my strategy and just listened to the harmony and let the music flow. I can’t say it was good but I did feel a lot better and I felt that I was making better progress. The course did have a theoretical content. But it was more discussion than textbook work. We spoke about 3rds and 7ths and how they related to the sounds we wish to make. I must admit I found this all very inspiring and am determined to learn more about theory so that I can make a more informed decision on how to make interesting music.

But what of the man himself? Viktor Obsust is a classically trained pianist from a very strict eastern European background. He taught piano and double bass at the Bratislava State Conservatoire. He told me that he started to learn piano at a very early age but taking up the double bass was his act of rebellion. He is now runs workshops on jazz improvisation and world music. I found his teaching methods both fascinating and enjoyable. As one might expect his knowledge of harmonies and jazz chords is extensive and he passes on this knowledge with a smile on his face and a passion that is contagious. Added to which he has one of the most remarkable goatee beards I have ever seen.

If you want to improvise and want to learn in a fun and supportive atmosphere I would urge you to take this course.

My Jazz Course

2008-02-11T10:02:00.000Z

Well now is the time. Tonight I am off for a three day jazz course. I have worked hard on my theory learning scales, modes and chords. I have listened to hours of jazz music and now is the time for me to have ago. My saxophones and I are off to the Benslow Music Trust. Viktor Obsust is the principal tutor who apparently is very good and very supportive. I am quite nervous but looking forward to it immensely. I just hope I know enough to join in and not find I am out of my depth.

Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Googlies

2008-02-08T10:01:00.000Z

Last night Googlies Jazz Club had their sixth birthday party. Lots of guests were invited whose presence gave a tremendous atmosphere to the evening. The party food was good but the icing on the cake was the entertainment provided.

There were no clowns here only seven superb musicians conjuring up a feast of jazz music. The hosts, as usual, were the Colin Peters Quartet who used the festivity to launch their new CD. Sales seemed to be good as most of the guests went home with one in their little post party goody bag. The quartet’s main job last night though was to support the very special guests Trudy Kerr, Steve Waterman and Derek Nash.

All birthday party’s have their characters and this was no exception.

Derek Nash on saxophones, (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone) was the little dynamo of the group. He clearly wanted to get involved with every game. He never stopped running around playing solo or joining in with the others. I love the tone he gets on the baritone. It just hits a spot that makes me tingle.

The quiet sensible one in the corner was Steve Waterman on trumpet. This man’s jazz just bursts with energy. His fingers seem not just to press the valves on his instrument but literally hammer them down. His phrasing is intellectual as well as lyrical and his top notes raised the roof.

The pretty little flower of the party was Trudy Kerr (vocals). It cannot be easy playing with noisy boys but she did and gave as good a she got. Her voice was like listening to silk. It was smooth, soft but when the time came to sing above the racket of sax and trumpet she made sure she was heard.

At the end of the evening we all got or coats thanked everyone for a great time and caught the ‘A’ Train home.

Happy birthday Googlies.

The Mikado

2008-02-04T10:56:00.000Z

On Saturday night we saw the Carl Rosa Company’s production of the Mikado. It was fantastic and we both enjoyed it very much. Everything about the show was impressive. The set design, costumes and singing. I think what added an extra dimension was that it was located at the Gielgud Theatre, London which has a beautifully decorated auditorium. It gave the show a Victorian music hall feeling.

Through listening to CD’s and radio I am very familiar with the majority of the songs but it was good to see them sung in the context of the story. And I was pleased that they put in an updated version of ‘they’d none of them be missed’. I also enjoyed the way that the opening and closing of the Japanese fans was used throughout the show to give dramatic effect. Although I have read in a separate review that this is now old hat to Mikado aficionados.

This version of the opera also included a couple of guest artists namely Alistair McGowan as the Mikado and Nicola McAuliffe as Katisha. Both were excellent particularly McAuliffes singing voice. McGowan did put in a couple of impressions such as Prince Charles which added to the music hall effect.

All in all a great night and now we look forward to seeing Pirates of Penzance in a few weeks time.

Let's Rock

2008-01-31T14:50:00.000Z

Last nights band rehearsal went very well. We are still playing the new stuff for the coming season and I am finding it good fun. My highlight for the evening was ‘Moonlight Serenade’. I love that tune and I think I might include it on my ‘songs that make you tingle’ list.

Today was a big fun day. In an effort to get my youngest son to take up music I bought him an electric guitar. It was one of those starter packages that seem very good value. I spent £129 quid on a guitar, amp, strap, tuner, DVD and a couple of picks. I always enjoy buying musical instruments so even though this was a present I got a lot of fun out of it. He won’t get it until Monday so I can have a play all week end.

Julian Marc Stringle

2008-01-21T10:32:00.001Z

Last Thursday we went to Googlies to see the clarinettist Julian Marc Strangle. I have seen him before not only at the club but also at my one and only visit to Ronnie Scott’s. He is a fine player and has a wonderful tone. It was a good night with lots of good music. Pauline, my partner, thought I did not like it. She said the expression on my face throughout the night was of a constant frown. I was not aware of it and did enjoy the music, but it may have been that I was concentrating on Stringles mannerisms. Firstly, I noticed that when he is listening to another member of the bands solo he constantly checking his reed and mouthpiece. I play clarinet and I know that it is important to have them set right but he seemed to be checking it every couple of seconds. I think that he may have felt self conscious about being on stage and not doing anything. Secondly when he hit a very high note he leant back, turned his body and pushed his right side towards the audience. This sort of mannerism seems common with musicians and I suppose is comparable with a rock guitarist screwing his face up when playing a high note. And lastly Julian has very long hair which, was getting into his mouth when playing and so he had to continually wipe away with his hands. Every now and then he made noises of complaints. I could not help thinking, “Why not just get it cut”.

But this is not to say this was not a great night. The jazz was fantastic as always and this club just gets better and better.

Karl Kaps

2008-01-17T13:11:00.000Z

Last night was my first night back rehearsing with the band. It was good to be back and because of the new season of concerts we played some new tunes, at least new to me. Andrew Lloyd Webber made an appearance with a suite of songs from his shows. This was supported by a big name in film score with a tune from the film Saving Private Ryan, Hymn to the Fallen, by John Williams. The old timers were not forgotten and we played a medley of songs from the show Oklahoma. Something that was great fun to play and I am looking forward to getting my teeth into was the Eton Boating Song, a waltz from the old Edwardian days.

This was written by a gent named Karl Kaps who despite his German sounding name was in fact English and real name was John Roberts. Apparently he took a German name because of the popularity of German bands in Edwardian time. However, he came unstuck during the Great War and had to change it. Strangely he changed it to an Italian sounding name. Why did he not like his English one?

Scales and Chords

2008-01-16T14:30:00.000Z

My study of jazz theory continues with learning the various scales/chords on a single root. I have found this good fun and after testing myself have become proficient at recognising the name of a chord by its component parts. I cover the chords on a play-a-long book and look at the full scale notes below and then work out the chord. I hope this helps me when I play as I will slowly learn where the flattened notes are and use them in my playing. It is also helpful to ingest the differences between a major seventh, dominant seventh, minor Dorian and a blues scale etc. Each day is a different root note and a further set of new chords.

Learning all the scales and chords in all the keys looks daunting so by doing it this way I am hoping to make it a little easier to remember. I lived in the days of learning times tables parrot fashion, maybe I can do this the same way.

Modes, modes and more modes.

2008-01-08T18:38:00.000Z

I have been off work this week with a bad cold. So, I made good use of the time with studying jazz. My head is full of dorian modes and dominant 7ths and augmented 4ths I have big headache and it is nothing to do with my illness. However, I did get a chance to play for a couple of hours and all my reading has helped. The chord symbols at the top of the music did not look so daunting and I felt that with the extra knowledge I was able to simplify some of it and concentrate on playing. I have got prior experience of the simple chords like the major's and minor's but what frightened me was those that were altered and had extra bits like +9 or b7. I knew what they mean I just did not grasp how to play them. I am not sure what my music sounded like but on the whole I just ignored them and if my fingers got close I would put the note in and see whether it sounded out of place or not. I did feel very happy after my practice. I am sure it was not up to performance standard but I had great fun playing 'Call me Irresponsible' and 'Impressions' although the latter a lot slower that Coltrane.

"do it"

2008-01-03T12:22:00.000Z

This is a message I got from a fellow music lover. I thought it was worth putting up on the blog.

‘Hi Jeff, me again I was just checking your Blog, - although I've played now for about forty years many of them pro, it wasn't until my 50th that I decided to really get serious, - you sound like you're in a similar situation - I can only say do it! - and with a vengeance - you won't regret it, I knuckled down for about three years and improved my playing in leaps and bounds. It's now over ten years later and my only advice is "do it" and don't listen to old has beenz. The carriage gets older and the paint flakes off but as long as you keep your motor running . . . anything is possible’.
gruss – spike

Thanks for the advice spike

Learning to Play Jazz

2008-01-02T14:57:00.000Z

I have not made any serious resolutions for the New Year. Except the annual ones that I never complete like, going on a diet or not touching the hard stuff anymore. But I have got a music project for 2008. I have decided to have a serious go at learning to play jazz. I have had a half-hearted attempt before but got dazed and confused and gave up. But I do love jazz and the more I listen and watch the stuff the more my desire to play increases. I have been told by a Jazz musician of 50 years experience that I am wasting my time. His point of view was that at the old age of 53 it is too late to learn and I should have started in my youth. Well that is only an opinion and I think I will have an attempt to prove him wrong.

So, my initial strategy is to read and digest the Jamey Aebersold book ‘How to play Jazz and Improvise’. My brother bought me a great book for Christmas on how to phrase during improvisation so the two9 should go well together. I know I must concentrate more on learning scales and chords and should practise these more than I already do, but now I have to look at the different jazz scales and how to use them. Listening to others is important and I already listen to a lot on CD, radio and live at the club so that is covered. But instead of just listening with a tapping foot I will need to try and analyse the music more, maybe even remembering some phrases that I could use.

Next is formal education. I will try and find a tutor but in the meantime I have signed up a week’s course at the Benslow Music Trust in February. This will give me a target to aim for and will hopefully give me enough incentive to study every day so as not to look a complete idiot in 6 weeks time. Finding a tutor who is prepared to give me an hour’s lesson on a Saturday afternoon is going to be hard but I will research it and see what I can find.

So, here goes it. If any reader has any tips on how they learnt please post a comment. I have a big point to prove and I need all the help I can get. I will of course post my progress on this blog.

Free Jazz

2008-01-02T11:09:00.000Z

Have been away from the computer over the Christmas holidays so am a bit behind on my posts. The first update is my visit to Googlies Jazz club last Thursday (27 Dec). There was no guest acts so they did not charge an entrance fee. But we still got a superb evening of music. The Colin Peters Quartet played throughout the three sets with a splattering of guest singers from the audience. It was a great night and it made a change to hear the boys play on their own for a longer period.

I like free jazz and in this sense it saved me money, thanks Googlies.

Oscar Peterson

2007-12-25T13:06:00.000Z

Sad news that the great Oscar Peterson died on 23 December. My cd collection does not have much of his music but what I have heard I thought was marvelous. The speed of his piano playing was unbelievable I only wish I had seen him live.

Three Generations

2007-12-23T13:25:00.000Z

This picture was taken in 2005 and is of myself, my son James and my father. Unfortunatley James does not play anymore but it was a proud moment for me all playing together.

Anita Wardell and Trudy Kerr

2007-12-21T13:32:00.001Z

The music normally served at Googlies on a Thursday night is jazz of the serious kind. Instrumentalist of various genres are the usual fare playing to hard core foot tapping jazz aficionados. But last nights guest acts bucked the trend. We were given a festive helping of two of Britain’s best female vocalists in the form of Anita Wardell and Trudy Kerr. This was not a night of hard nosed sax playing but of laughing smiling performers in red frilly cowgirl hats. They admitted they had spent the day shopping in Brent Cross, something it is hard to imagine being done by Peter King or Ben Clatworthy.

But whilst the atmosphere may have been on the lighter side the music was still of high quality. Both Anita and Trudy have superb singing voices and they were a joy to listen to. There were plenty of standards such as The Girl from Ipanema, Misty and Lullaby of Birdland. In the last set Anita sang ‘I Thought about You’ and shared a chorus with bass player Michael Cole. The musical chemistry and understanding between them seemed very intense and for me was a high point of the evening. Wardell and Kerr either shared the stage or sang solo. Wardell’s style was scat singing. Her 4 bar interchange with resident sax player Bill Yeomans was excellent and showed that the improvising voice can be a match for a jazz instrument any day. Kerr’s style was more laid back and smooth but still with a great deal of character and warmth.

The evening drew to a close with a couple of Christmas songs which were ably assisted by the assembled throng. ‘ White Christmas’ and’ Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’ are always guaranteed to get a crowd singing and last night even had your humble correspondent joining in, at least I can now say I have sang at Googlies.

Memories of My First Concert

2007-12-18T14:17:00.000Z

I have registered with the ‘Sax on the Web’ forum. It can be good fun and sometimes has interesting topics under discussion. One I saw today had a remark about playing in a concert band and how it improves ones musicianship. I posted a reply but it got me thinking about my early days playing in a band.

I am largely self taught. I have had help from my father but he lives quite a way away and so I don’t see him much. Anyway when I decided to take up playing I practised everyday. It was a daily ritual of coming home from work and playing for an hour before I had something to eat. My progress was very good. But after a year or so I felt the need to play with others. After a lot of searching on the internet I finally found a band in Rayleigh, Essex called ‘Harmonie Concert Band’ and joined them. I obviously found it very difficult to start with and usually lost my place in the music very quickly. However, as the weeks went on it got easier and easier. I still was a long way from playing well but at least I was keeping up and playing a lot of the music.

My big memory though is the first concert I took part in (25 June 2005). It was at a VE/VJ day Anniversary event at a TA centre in Great Wakering. I was doing fine until we played some Glenn Miller stuff. My problem came during Moonlight Serenade. I was enjoying myself so much I started to laugh and could not continue playing. I tried but the thrill it gave me to be sitting in the centre of that marvellous sound just touched me so much. Every time I put my mouth to the instrument and tried to blow I could only laugh more. I will never forget that night as it has spurred me on to experience it more. I don’t laugh now but I do enjoy myself just as much.

That’s what I love about music!

The Harvey Shopping Centre, Harlow

2007-12-17T10:24:00.000Z

The Christmas carol concert on Saturday went very well. There was a little scare just before the start as some of the music stands had not arrived and the saxophone section was sitting with nothing to put our music on. Thankfully they arrived just in the nick of time. We played a mixture of tradition carols and pieces from our current programme. Abba Gold reared its head again and there were a few groans from the band when our conductor called it. This was also the case with the Sound of Music medley. I suppose some m embers have been playing these for many years but I enjoy playing them and am quite happy to play.

We were collecting for a local hospice and we had a number of collectors around the shopping centre. My two sons were due to help but disappeared soon after we arrived. When I asked why they did not help they said that they did not want to wear the bright green bibs. It seems charity does not extend to being street cred!!!!

It's Christmas

2007-12-13T09:29:00.000Z

Rehearsal last night was of course mainly Christmas carols in preparation for Saturday. We are due to play in the Harvey Shopping Centre at Harlow starting at 10am.

In our little way The Harlow Concert Band is maintaining a tradition that goes back a very long way. Christams songs can be traced back to around the thirteenth century, but most of the songs that we know are from the mid nineteenth century. I discovered that Oliver Cromwell banned the singing of carols, but then he did ban everything, including the King. Singing songs at this time of year was not confined to the church. A lot of the carols we know started life as folk songs. Classical composers also used carols in their compositions and people like Handel used them to great effect.

So, by performing our short carol concert to the happy shoppers of Harlow we are playing our part in a long tradition of bringing the spirit of yuletide to the people of the land. And there is no doubt about it, the sound of a carol does warm the heart. Merry Christmas.

Theydon Bois Village Hall

2007-12-03T14:53:00.000Z

Although the rehearsal did not go well on Wednesday, the concert on Saturday at Theydon Bois was a success. We had around 80 people in the audience and they seemed to enjoy the music very much. I had a few members of my family there which is nice and my eldest son got roped in to take the money at the front door. He has plans to be an accountant, so taking other peoples money is a pleasure for him. Just hope when he starts earning he does not forget his old dad.

Talking of money, my youngest cost me a bit. At the interval he asked for some money to buy a drink. I gave him a couple of quid and asked him to get me one. On his return I asked for the change only to be told that there wasn’t any. I said that surely that the drinks were not a pound each. ‘No, they just asked for a donation and I put the whole lot in’. Two orange drinks, £2. Should have sent the accountant!!!!

Not a Good Rehearsal

2007-11-29T10:24:00.000Z

Nothing much to report at last nights band rehearsal. We were preparing for another week end concert and due to the close proximity of our last few we are playing the same stuff. No time to learn something new. So, I think we felt a bit flat last night. Also we did not get into anything. We just practised the pick ups and finishes and so I found it difficult to get settled. It seemed that all we did was select the sheet music play a few bars and then on to the next.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

2007-11-26T15:39:00.001Z

On Saturday (24th) I spent the day wandering around Dorking in Surrey on a self devised Ralph Vaughn Williams discovery tour. Unfortunately there was little to see. There is a statue outside the Dorking Halls but it seemed out of the way due to its location at one end of the high street. There is also a plaque in the porch of St Martin’s church where RVW conducted many a concert. But that was about it. I did find a leaflet that gave other connected locations such as the White Horse hotel (concerts) and the Oddfellows building (rehearsals) but the museum had nothing neither did any of the local book shops. I was told to try the library but it was closed. We did drive to Leith Hill Place to see his old house but it was difficult to see from the road and is not open for visitors. His other address known as ‘White Gates’ off Woodcott road has now been demolished. I did think I was going to see more but maybe the people of Dorking do not view him with any tourist potential. I did manage to get a couple of Naxos CD’s of his music and spent the afternoon listening to such gems as The Lark Ascending and Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. As I lay on my hotel bed listening to this wonderful English music I could only feel a little sad that we are not celebrating one of our composers more in the very town that he lived. But should we? Maybe if there were rows of RVW tea shops and souvenir emporiums I would complain about the commercialism. Perhaps we should just be satisfied with his musical legacy and not crave worthless memorabilia and biographies by the score.

Peter King

2007-11-23T10:24:00.000Z

Last nights star guest at Googlies was alto saxophonist, Peter King. This man's jazz is on a different planet. His playing is complex, intriguing and mesmerising. I was transfixed just watching his fingers move around the sax. His improvisation is just fantastic and to witness this quality of jazz so close up is an experience I will cherish forever.

During the last set, King and the house band played Wayne Shorters Footprints. Each part of the line up played extremely well and their soloing were high class. But I have to mention Colin Peters on piano whose improvisation was above the top draw. He appeared to be in a trance as he slowly lingered on each single note, letting the sound hang in the air. The tension he created made my spine tingle and he just kept the momentum going by slowly increasing the tempo. Improvisation is about tension and release, building the listeners emotions up and then letting them down. Colin Peters did not release the tension until the very last chord. He kept us up in mid air extending our apprehension and suspense until the last possible note. In the end I felt drained.

Wednesday Night Rehearsal

2007-11-22T17:40:00.000Z

An important nights rehearsal for the concert on Saturday. We went through the whole programme and practised all the bits we were having trouble with. Most of these trouble areas were changes of tempo and pick ups after cut offs. It is obviously important for us to start together and at the correct dynamic after a silent pause. Although I am not involved with the concert it was good practise for me and I always look forward to playing.

Songs That Make You Tingle

2007-11-20T13:18:00.000Z

Heard one this morning on my car radio. Terry Wogan’s opening record on his breakfast radio show was I’m a believer, by The Monkees. I could not help singing along and simulating playing the organ bit at the end of the lines. This morning my car dashboard suddenly became a Hammond Organ.

It brought back happy memories of watching the TV show with my brother. We had quite a few of the singles and no doubt if I asked him, my trivia minded brother could name the ‘b’ sides to each one. He is very sad!

Harlow Town Xmas Lights Switch On

2007-11-19T10:33:00.000Z

On Saturday morning I played with the Harlow Concert Band at the Harlow Town Centre. This gig, if you can call it such, was as part of an event for the Mayor to turn on the Christmas lights. It was very cold and we all had tuning problems due to the low temperatures. Still, I figured that if we were all flat then no body would notice. We played a couple of carols, a suite of ABBA songs and 'Is this the way to Amarillo'. It was good fun being part of this local event. There were other acts on during the day such as a steel band, fancy dress and hip-hop pop, what ever that is.

Ten-17 FM were also in attendance and took this picture for their web site. I am the grinning idiot at the back.

Googlies Jazz Club

2007-11-16T14:21:00.000Z

Last night two old boys of the British jazz scene ,Campbell Burnap and Mike Cotton appeared at Googlies Jazz Club, Enfield. The temperature outside may have been close to freezing but the atmosphere inside the club was warm and cosy. Burnap’s deep soft voice echoes the warm tone he produces on his trombone. His jazz was laid back and unhurried whilst his jokes between tunes had a cosy familiarity about them, yes they were old. Mike Cotton’s trumpet playing was bright and appeared effortless, unlike some players who look like they are about to burst when playing. Both were supported superbly by the resident house band The Colin Peters Quartet which included Michael Cole (Double Bass), Bill Yeomans (reeds) and Sid Thompson (drums).

Sid in fact was deputising for regular drummer and club president John Jarvis. John has recently had a hip operation and has been out of action for a while. It was nice to see him in the audience last night and judging by the ferocity of his foot and finger tapping he can’t wait to be back on the skins.

The music was of the usual high standard with lots of standards mixed in with less familiar numbers. As well as the front men soloing on their respective horns we were treated to Burnap’s singing. His rendition of Sweet Lorraine was beautifully done and enjoyed by the large audience. So too was the final blues number, Kansas City , sung by Mike Cotton who showed his virtuosity by playing the harmonica in a fashion that any New Orleans blues man would be proud of. A great night!

Rehearsal Night

2007-11-15T13:05:00.000Z

Last night I attended the usual Wednesday night rehearsal of the Harlow Concert Band. This was a bit different in so much that we were led for most of the evening by the conductor of the City of Peterborough Concert Band, Mr Henry Clydesdale. He came down to take the rehearsal with a view to practise the music we are to play together in a forthcoming joint concert. I unfortunately won’t be able to do the concert but it was good to play anyway.

My highlight of the evening was playing ‘The Blue and the Gray’. This is a medley of songs from the American Civil War. It includes such well known numbers as Aura lee, The Yellow Rose of Texas and John Brown’s Body. There were a couple more but my Limey ears could recognise the melodies but not the titles. A special moment I thought was when the Bassoon and the Piccolo played together. Both players are very accomplished and gave a very fine performance. It should be a good concert.

On Saturday we play in the Harlow Town square at the ceremony of turning on the Christmas lights. It seems a little early to be playing carols but hopefully it will put everyone in the festive spirit. I just hope it is not too cold or worse still, raining. I am not keen to play outside.

Harlow Playhouse Concert

2007-11-12T11:23:00.000Z

Last night I played Tenor sax for the Harlow Concert Band in a Remembrance Day service at the Harlow Playhouse, Essex. It was a great night and a big thrill for me to play on this stage. I remember seeing Status Quo play there in the early 1970’s and so last night brought back many memories of that evening. Our programme of music did not include any 12 bar blues or rock and roll but we did play some good music which was appreciated by a nearly packed house.

Because of the occasion we did play a lot of military style tunes. Soldiers in the Park, Steadfast and True and the New Colonial March kept the audience tapping their feet in a 2/4. We also gave them something to sing along with, with songs such as Keep Smiling Through and Land of Hope and Glory (with reprise). Mike Pearce, our conductor, as a liking for the theme music to the TV series Band of Brothers. It is a beautiful tune and I hope he thinks we gave it justice.

For my part, I enjoyed playing As Time Goes By. My fellow tenor saxophonist played the solo part but it is also a nice piece to play the accompanying harmonies to. It has a good swing feel to it which is fun to play on the sax.

Frank Hardcastle (my father)

2007-11-09T21:29:00.001Z

Although I am middle aged I have recently started to learn how to play clarinet and saxophone. This is because of the major regret in my life. Not learning when I was a kid. I had all the chances I needed, but ignored them. There were far more interesting things to concentrate on such as the 1966 World Cup, Georgie Best and the Beatles. But now I have realised how stupid I was and am putting it right.

The chances I refer to above are because of my Father. He was a semi-professional jazz musician for most of his life. He played, and still does, piano, clarinet, saxophone and flute. He can also arrange and compose music. When I was a kid I would hear him practise every day and the sound of music would fill the house. I am sure now that this unwittingly soaked into my head, only to come out later in life. Back then I had no idea what I was being exposed to.

So, this blog starts with a very brief description of my musical heritage, the story of Frank Hardcastle and how he shaped my love of music.

He started playing piano when he was young. He had the usual lessons and spent many hours picking out tunes on the family piano. I am guessing here, but I suppose being exposed to the music played on radio during the 1940's he was bound to develope and ear for dance band and jazz music. In any case he ended up with a saxophone and taught himself how to play it. By the fifties he was in the Royal Air Force at St Athan, Wales doing his national service. Whilst there he became involved in playing in military and dance bands.

Looking back he told me that this was the time when he learnt most about how to be a musician by following tempo and synchronising with the other members of the band. By the time he came out of the RAF he was ready to face the world of a part time dance band player. These were the times I remember so well. I still have the mental image of him in his dress suit smelling of cheap aftershave and carrying his old battered saxophone case out of the door on his way to some gig.

This was his main form of musical income for many years. But he also had a day job working in a factory which, he hated. I can well remember him complaining about the music he had to listen to on the radio in the workshop. He hated listening to pop music and the continual playing of the 'Hit Parade' drove him mad. I think a particular record that gave him a great deal of angst was Mary Hopkin's 'Those were the day's'. He said it was repeated so much that he didn't think he could stand it any longer.

Ironically it was pop music that proved to be the help he needed. An old friend from his RAF days was a man called Norman Smith. What dad did not know was that Norman had entered the music business as a recording engineer for EMI and became the chief engineer for the Beatles. He eventually launched his own singing career under the name Hurricane Smith and had a hit single with 'Don't Let it Die'. Norman wished to follow this success with a second single where he wanted to include a jazzy alto saxophone solo. He contacted dad and invited him to play. As a result the single 'Oh babe waht would you say' was born. It was very successful, not only in the Uk but also in Europe and the US. This led dad to give up the factory and work full time touring with Hurricane Smith. He literally gave up his day job.

For my brother and I this was a fantastic time. I loved telling my mates at school that dad was to be on Top of the Pops. We once visited the studios at Abbey Road and later saw Slade and Alvin Stardust live at Granada TV studios Manchester.

Franks professional career took many turns. He did a bit of session work with EMI playing on recordings made by such pop icions as Lena Zavoroni, The Pretty Things and Beranrd Manning. In 1975 He played on a record by Johnny Wakelin about Muhammed Ali called 'Black Superman'. He continued to work with Hurricane Smith on a couple more singles and was Musical Director on the 'Don't Let it Die' album.

Over the years he aslo played with some big bands including Herb Miller (Glenns brother) and Ray Shields. Eventually he went back to jazz , etching out a living with various combos playing in pubs and clubs around the country. He has now retired and living in rural Norfolk.

So, thanks dad. I may not have taken to music when I should have, but it is never too late to start. I get an enormous amount of pleasure from playing my saxophone and clarinet and feel that it is because of the influence you have given me over the last 40 odd years.