No more Ray's Jazz Cafe

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

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

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

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

Saw this license plate during my sojourn to the

Big Apple.

A Times Square Busker

The Brill Building

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

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

BB Kings blues bar and grill Times Square, NYC

It looks too touristy for me.

Sunday Jazz Brunch

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.

Simon Spillett

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

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

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

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

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.

" thats why they call it the blues"

Me and the band at the Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

My First Gig

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

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

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.