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This superb trumpet player and vocalist featured tracks from her Tribute To Chet Baker CD “Too Cool” as recently presented at Ronnie Scott’s Club and in concert throughout the UK. 
She gave us a fantastic evening of trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals celebrating the the history and music of Chet Baker. This superb trumpet player and vocalist featured tracks from her Tribute To Chet Baker CD “Too Cool” as recently presented at Ronnie Scott’s Club and in concert throughout the UK. This was coupled with a fascinating insight in to the life and music of Chet. She was accompanied by the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio.
May 13th marked the 25th anniversary of jazz icon Chet Baker’s untimely death – and is the release date of Sue’s tribute CD ‘Too Cool’, on the UK’s leading jazz label/publisher, Splash Point Music. The album features four rare Baker titles, unearthed by Sue Richardson and arranged by her with the original Italian lyrics translated by Georgia Mancio. Too Cool features the baritone sax of Karen Sharp on three tracks, mirroring the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker partnership. In addition, there are five Richardson originals, including: Adored, inspired by Chet’s turbulent life away from music. Sue Richardson’s trumpet, flugel and voice underpin the whole project, expertly recreating that lyrical Chet Baker sound.
Sue is an unusual combination of jazz vocalist and trumpet player described on Radio 3 as 
“Trumpet ace, a rising star on the London jazz scene”.
Since being tipped for the top by Jazzwise magazine, Sue Richardson’s career has been going from strength to strength. With her latest CD, Fanfare, Sue has firmly cemented her position in the jazz world – “There are singer-songwriters behind every tree, but Sue Richardson is the only trumpeter-singer songwriter you are likely to encounter. She plays swinging jazz trumpet, with excellent technique and a remarkable command of a variety of styles. She sings with a musician’s phrasing and her songs come with proper tunes and grown-up harmonies attached – a rarity in itself. …Conclusive proof that this is no mere gimmick.” The Observer
In April 2010 Sue was a special guest along with Charlie Watts, Stacey Kent, Jools Holland and the ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’ team at a special memorial concert for Humph at the Hammersmith Apollo. ‘Humph’s composition ‘Sad Sweet Song’ [was] sung with touching emotion by Sue Richardson’ London Jazz Blog.
Sue was accompanied by the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger. Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz, and in the past he has played with many of the great names on the UK scene including Don Rendell, Barbara Thompson, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith, Joe Harriott and countless others. Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer.
Bernie Hodgkins – Double Bass Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with 
Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France,Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family.Their influence led him to become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe,Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career. Bernie is particularly acknowledged as being one of the few players to bring an authentic, driving jazz feel to both the double bass and the bass-guitar, and for his fluent and creative soloing. Tonight Bernie was playing his 5 string double bass with the extra C string.
Simon Brown – Piano
Simon’s piano playing has long been the sound accompaniment of first choice for nationallynd 
internationally known jazz stars appearing at Jazznights as well as Norfolk’s two leading jazz venues, He is also an accomplished soloist in his own right, blending vivacity and creative attack with often gentle lyricism. His influences are Oscar Peterson, Nat “King” Cole and Bill Evans. Since graduating from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 1990, Simon has worked as a performer, teacher of piano and music arranger and regularly appears at the most popular jazz clubs in East Anglia. His involvement in Blues, Jazz and Jazz-Funk combos have led to appearances at many jazz festivals and has shared the billing with the likes of Jools Holland, The James Taylor Quartet, Stacey Kent and Bobby Wellins apart from his regular performances as a primary member of the Jazznights Roger Odell Trio.
Larraine Odell – vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the groupCMU with whom she recorded two 
albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe,including the Purcell Room, RFH. Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s. Larraine possesses a unique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz sensibility with every phrase.” She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster, at the Boxford Fleece with pianist Steve Lodder, most of the other jazz clubs in the region, and at the Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold Jazz Festivals.
Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the erudite and and articulate Donald Muir
Larraine Odell opened the first set with a great selection of jazz standards which included:
The 1934 I Only Have Eyes for You. Music by Harry Warren and lyrics from Al Dubin
Victor Young and Ned Washington’s My Foolish Heart (1949) with a special arrangement 
by Roger Odell.
An appropriate Early Autumn followed which was composed by Ralph J Burns and Woody Herman with lyrics from Johnny Mercer.
Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke’s 1940 Polka Dots and Moonbeams was Larraine’s final number of her set for this evening.
Sue Richardson then joined the Jazznights Trio for her first set which included:
Almost in Ecstasy which was written by Sue and based on Bix Beiderbeck solos, Bix being a favourite of Chet’s. This is featyured in Sue’s new album ‘Too Cool’
Big & Brassy – another great number from the pen of Sue.
Too Cool written by Sue and is the title number of new album. It is based on various tunes played and written by Chet Baker.
Bernie’s Tune was popularised by the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet (noted for it being a quartet without a piano) when their recording of it became a hit in 1952
Chetty’s Lullaby In August, 1960, Chet Baker was arrested in Lucca, Italy. He was convicted of drug smuggling and forgery and sentenced to a year, seven months, and ten days in a Lucca prison. When he was released early, in December, 1961, RCA Italiana organized collaborative sessions with composer, arranger, and conductor Ennio Morricone. In 1962, they recorded four of Chet Baker’s own compositions that he wrote while incarcerated including “Chetty’s Lullaby”,
Anticipated Blues written by Chet Baker and featured on the album Chet Baker: 100 masterpieces and included on Sue’s new album Too Cool.
Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and bottle of Sauvignon Blanc we had the traditional Jazznights sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an opportunity to play with the band. Tonight we had the pleasure of local musician Geoff Harriman on his chromatic harmonica playing All Of Me and Carol Bleiker singing September In The Rain.
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Sue Richardson the rejoined the trio for the final set which featured the following numbers:
It Could Happen To You by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke which featured on 
Chet’s first album as well as several other of his albums and has played it with no trumpet opting to scat in place of an instrumental solo.This was featured on Sue’s earlier album ‘Emergence’
Four by Miles Davis. Although Chet Baker never played with Miles, he was a great fan of his music. Chet played this in Tokyo shortly before he died and was featured on his album ‘Chet Baker in Tokyo’.
So Che Ti Perderò (I Know I Will Lose You)composed by Chet Baker and is included in Sue’s new album Too Cool. Recorded with Ennio Morricone in Rome.
We then had Let’s Get Lost. Let’s Get Lost (1988) is also an American documentary film about the turbulent life and career of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker written and directed by Bruce Weber. The title is derived from a song by Jimmy McHugh and Frank Loesser from the 1943 film Happy Go Lucky which Baker recorded for Pacific Records.
But Not for Me is a popular song, composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. This was in the album Chet Baker Sings. This 1994 CD, released some six years following his death, is a major addition to his discography. 
I Remember You is a popular song. The music was written by Victor Schertzinger, the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was published in 1941. It was from ‘Chet Baker Sings and Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman and Strings (1955).
The Baker/Mulligan Quartet’s version of My Funny Valentine, featuring a Baker solo, was a hit, and became a tune with which Baker was intimately associated in which Sue performed with the flugelhorn.
Almost Like Being in Love from 30 Famous Chet Baker’s Love Songs. What a finale!
This was a stunning performance from Sue Richardson with Roger Odell, Simon Brown and Bernie Hodgkins and counts as one of the highlights of the year which the audience endorsed by the elongated applause and shouts. Thank you all as well as the promoters Roger & Larraine Odell. We are sure we will Sue back at Jazznights in the future.
In a change to the advertised program Jazznights will have Martin Dobson on saxophone 
and flute specialising in ‘chilled out’ instrumental jazz (with a dash of pop, soul and funk) on Sunday 13th October 2013. Martin is a Saxophonist /Flautist /Clarinetist with over 40 years of professional playing experience including: 23 years as a busy freelance player on the London scene. During his career he has been called on to play for commercial recordings, adverts and television programmes and film, as well accompany many major artists including Shakatak in concert. He also composes and records for production music libraries and teaches music privately.
Come along for this gig with Martin accompanied by the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio – one of the finest trios in the East of England. Remember to book your places
Jazznights is at The Cherry Tree, The Function Suite, The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7BY.
Tel: 01787 237263 Admission £8. Doors 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.
Reserve your table seating on 01787 237653 or email. Pay on the night.
Food available and can be served before or during the performance.
For further information and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
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