BEN COX (vocals) gave us a great gig at Jazznights on Sunday 27th Oct 2013 with the Roger Odell Trio

As a result of a high recommendation from Emily Dankworth the young jazz singer Ben Cox makes his debut at Jazznights. He is currently studying jazz voice at the Guildhall and along with Emily he is a member of the amazing six part close-harmony A Cappella group ‘Vive’. Male UK jazz singers have been few and far between until recently – that’s about to  change!

Ben Cox is currently studying jazz voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.  His aim is to work professionally as a jazz musician.  He initially studied classical piano and trumpet, but he was also lead vocalist and trumpeter with the Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra for several years.  His love of jazz and his wish to study the subject in depth led him to apply to study for a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz, with jazz voice as his principal study. Successful auditions led to offers from Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Trinity College of Music, but he was delighted to accept the offer from Guildhall, which has given him the  opportunity to learn from, work and regularly perform with internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, including for example Wynton Marsalis, Ian Shaw, Todd Gordon, Jacqui Dankworth, Cleo Laine and Liane Carrol.

Since being at Guildhall Ben has been studying jazz voice with the renowned jazz singer and tutor Lee Gibson, enhanced by classical voice tuition with Linda Hutchison.  Ben is a member of the A Cappella group ‘Vive’, whose members are present or former students at Guildhall, and who recently performed to great acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe. Vive were the winners of the 2013 National Voice Festival and are appearing at the London Jazz  Festival in November 2013.

“I think it was the age of the voice in such a young man, more akin to Tony Bennett and Chet Baker, yet being sung by a twenty something ! Perfect execution, depth and tone, Catch him soon if you’re lucky enough.”
Neil Hughes – The Cinnamon Club.
It certainly was well proven at this Jazznights gig, it was a superb evening and we are sure that Ben will be coming back to see us again.

Ben played with the 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.
Steve Cook – Double Bass
Steve has a wonderful rounded tone with great clarity. In the 1960s and 70s Steve Cook played with many leading jazz artists including Don Rendell, Art Themen, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Alan Skidmore, Pete Jacobsen, Michael Garrick and numerous others.  He was in several of Barbara Thompson’s bands including the Quintet, Jubiaba and Paraphernalia.  He toured and recorded with progressive rock bands CMU, Gilgamesh, Seventh Wave, Mirage  and Soft Machine.   He worked at Ronnie Scott’s with Mark Murphy and Gil Evans.  He spent several years touring and recording with the Mike Westbrook orchestra, appearing on three albums.  He’s done dance bands, pit bands, and film and TV soundtracks.  Recently Steve has played salsa with the Spanish Harlow Orchestra, Latin jazz with Que Pasa, and recorded albums with folk and world musicians Wes McGhee, Janie Romer and Ravi.  He may occasionally be seen with the Harmony in Harlem band and the Cambridge Sinfonietta.  He has also had a 35-year career as a professional software engineer.
Sam Edwards – Piano
Sam was born in London in 1970 to a musical family; his mother and sister both are professional musicians. Sam studied classical music at the Colchester institute for 2 years from 1986 where he attained grade 8 Piano, grade 8 theory of music and two ‘A’ levels (Theory and Practical) in music. Sam then graduated with a 1st in Jazz and Contemporary music from the City of Leeds College of music in 1991. As a professional musician Sam has worked in many areas of the music industry, below are listed just some of his work credits as either a Keyboard player, Pianist, or Musical Director: Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Eden Kane, George McRae, Jackie Graham, JTQ, Marty Wilde, Mike Berry, Odyssey, Paul Da Vinci, Rose Royce, The Commitments, The Contours, The Drifters, The Real Thing.Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Eden Kane, George McRae, Jackie Graham, JTQ, Marty Wilde, Mike Berry, Odyssey, Paul Da Vinci, Rose Royce, The Commitments, The Contours, The Drifters, The Real Thing, Katy Setterfield tribute to Dusty Springfield, Sisters of Soul, Reach Out (Motown Show), The History of Motown, Sweet Home Chicago (Blues Brothers show), Tribute to the Carpenters and Marty Wilde and the Wildcats
Larraine Odell – vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU 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.

The first of our two great vocalists Larraine Odell opened the first set which included the following numbers:

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s 1935 It’s Easy to Remember (and so Hard to
Forget)
Out of This World (1944) with Music    by Harold Arlen and Lyrics from Johnny Mercer
This Happy Madness – Writers: Antonio Carlos Jobim – Gene Lees and Vinicius Demoraes it was featured by Frank Sinatra in the 1971 album Sinatra & Company.
(I Don’t Stand A) Ghost of a Chance (With You) composed in 1932 by Victor Young with Lyrics from Bing Crosby and Ned Washington.
In 1954 the Erroll Garner Trio introduced the instrumental Misty. A year later Johnny Burke penned the lyrics, creating the song we know today.

Ben Cox then joined the Jazznights trio for his first set featuring the following numbers:
Madly In To Love which was followed by Victor Young’s 1949 My Foolish Heart written  for the film of the same name.
I Thought About You (1939) it was among the first tunes that lyricist Johnny Mercer collaborated on with composer Jimmy Van Heusen.
Very touching and sensitive versions of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning  a 1955 popular song composed by David Mann, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard. It was introduced as the title track of Frank Sinatra’s 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours. and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1940) Words and Music by Eric Maschwitz, Manning Sherwin and Jack Strachey these were sung back to back and were absolute magic.
Broadway (1940) which was a mandatory number for vocalists from the Guild Hall School of Music and really does show the vocal ability and versatility of the voice,

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and bottle of wine 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 Hoagy Carmichaels’ 1937 The Nearness Of You

Ben Cox then returned for his second set and started with Harry Warren and Al Dubin’s 1937 September In The Rain followed by:
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, from his 1972 album One Man Dog.
I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face (1956) from Frederick Loewe and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner from the 1956 musical My Fair Lady.
Je suis seule ce soir which was sung in French after he had learnt it for a residency in a club France.
Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer’s 1941 Skylark first recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra featuring vocalist Ray Eberle.
The Gershwin’s 1337 A Foggy Day AKA A Foggy Day in London Town followed by a great scat vocal Blues in B Flat. What a stunning example of Vocalese.

An evening to remember from two superb jazz singers.

Jazznights will be back at the intimate Tudor Room, The Bell Hotel, Clare, CO10 8NN on Sunday 10th November 2013 with trumpet player Ray Butcher.
Ray is influenced by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and many more, Ray started playing piano at 7, cornet at 8 and then trumpet at 16. Ray has since played for Princess Diana,  worked with Mica Paris, jazz great Jean Toussaint and recorded on Ivor Novello winner Scott Matthews’ second album ‘Elsewhere’ (which also featured Robert Plant).

Come along for this gig.
Tel: 01787 237263       Admission £10.         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 (which includes
ALAN SKIDMORE (sax, GEORGIA MANCIO (vocals), EMILY DANKWORTH (vocals, ANITA WARDELL (vocals), LOZ SPEYER (trumpet) and the wonderful PETER KING (alto sax) go to www.jazz-nights.com

Martin Dobson gave us a great night of ‘chilled out’ instrumental jazz (with a dash of pop, soul and funk) on Sunday 13th October 2013 at Jazznights

 

(Click on pictures for larger images)

Martin is a Saxophonist /Flautist /Clarinettist 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.

Martin started clarinet lessons at age twelve, but soon became more interested in playing guitar in a local rock group that he’d formed!, but later after having seen Georgie Fame and Zoot Money (early exponents of ‘British Rhythm and Blues’ at London’s famed ‘Flamingo Club’) performing locally, he persuaded his dad to buy him a tenor sax.

His main Influences are B.B. King, Cannonball Adderley, James Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Wilton Felder, Tom Scott, Pete Christlieb, King Curtis, Stan Getz, Paul Horn.

Over the years Martin has worked with some very talented musicians in all kinds of musical situations exposing him to a huge variety of musical styles. He’s currently kept busy writing and recording music for production music libraries and playing jazz gigs and functions in East Anglia with his band ‘Midnight Oil’.Weapons in his armoury include Tenor  Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano sax, Baritone Sax, Flute and Clarinet.

At Jazznights Martin employed his Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano sax and Flute while playing with 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 – Electric 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 electric bass instead of 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 nationally and 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.

Martin Dobson opened his first set with tunes which included:

Doxy an early composition by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins. It first appeared on the 1954 Miles Davis album Bags’ Groove, and was performed Martin on tenor saxophone, Horace Silver on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke
Manhã de Carnaval (“Morning of Carnival”), is the title of the most popular song by Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá. This was one of the first compositions identified with Bossa Nova to gain popularity outside Brazil. The song became a jazz standard popularly known as Black Orpheus.which was played on the soprano sax.
Unusually played in Jazz Clubs we had Thieves In The Temple popularised by Prince’s twelfth album Graffiti Bridge, the soundtrack to the movie Graffiti Bridge.
Miles Davis’s All Blues from the very famous album Kind Of Blue.
Grover Washington’s (one of the founders of the smooth jazz-pop style) One Night played on alto.
Appropriate to the conditions out side the door we had Joseph Kosma’s Autumn Leaves with Martin’s soprano sax.
Sugar is an album and the title song by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine played tonight of course with Martin on tenor sax.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and bottle of Cabernet 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 Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man. Followed by Harry Greene on tenor sax playing Horace Silver’s Song For My Father in E minor.

Martin Dobson then returned for the second set which included the following numbers:

Killer Joe is a tune written by saxophonist Benny Golson in 1959 and is from the album of the same name. This has become a commonly played Golson tune and is now a jazz standard.
Stolen Moments is a jazz standard composed by Oliver Nelson in 1961. It is a sixteen-bar piece (in an eight-six-two pattern), though the solos are on a conventional minor key 12-bar blues structure. The piece first appeared as “The Stolen Moment” on the 1960 album Trane Whistle by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, which was  largely written and co-arranged by Oliver Nelson.
Harlem Nocturne which is a jazz standard written by Earle Hagen and Dick Rogers in 1939. The song was adopted by bandleader Randy Brooks the next year as his theme song. There Will Never Be Another You (1942) composed by Harry Warren. After Woody Herman’s initial recording of this tune in 1942, it dropped out of sight until being picked up again vibraphonist Lionel Hampton’s big band in 1950. That same year, talented saxophonist Sonny Stitt would record a version on tenor sax.
The 1944 Moonlight in Vermont by Karl Suessdorf. Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz recorded his initial foray on this tune with talented guitarist Johnny Smith in 1952.
Put It Where You want it played by the Crusaders, later known as the Jazz Crusaders  and  tonight was a fantastic version by Martin Dobson with the Jazznights Trio and what a great finale for this superb evening of funky jazz.

A great evening of jazz versions of jazz classics and soul played with a very funky influence.

On Sunday 27th October Jazznights features – BEN COX (vocals)
As a result of a high recommendation from Emily Dankworth the young jazz singer Ben  Cox makes his debut at Jazznights. He is currently studying jazz voice at the Guildhall and along with Emily he is a member of the amazing six part close-harmony A Cappella group ‘Vive’. Male UK jazz singers have been few and far between until recently – that’s about to change!

Come along for this gig.
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 (which includes
ALAN SKIDMORE (sax, GEORGIA MANCIO (voc), EMILY DANKWORTH (voc, ANITA WARDELL (voc), LOZ SPEYER (trp) and the wonderful PETER KING (alto sax) go to www.jazz-nights.com

ALL CHANGE! for Jazznights on Sunday 13th October 2013

We have just been informed that The Cherry Tree has been taken over and is now closed for refurbishment!  Fear not!  We have moved back to The Bell Hotel, Market Hill, Clare, CO10 8NN for this Sunday 13th October but rather than occupying the old Cavendish Suite we will be downstairs in the cosy and atmospheric Tudor Room.  

We hope to see all our regular Jazznighters there for what will be a great evening with our guest Martin Dobson (saxes & flt) and the regular team.

Doors 7.30pm. Music 8.00 to 10.30pm. Adm £8. Food available up to 9pm.

Martin Dobson (saxophones) will be at Jazznights on Sunday 13th October 2013. this great session saxophonist will be featuring tracks from his Midnight Oil Quartet repertoire

Martin Dobson (saxophones) will be at Jazznights on Sunday 13th October 2013. this great session saxophonist will be featuring tracks from his MIDNIGHT OIL Quartet repertoire.

In a change to the advertised program Jazznights will have Martin Dobson on saxophone Martin Dobson 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.

Martin started clarinet lessons at age twelve, but soon became more interested in playing guitar in a local rock group that he’d formed!, but later after having seen Georgie Fame and Zoot Money (early exponents of ‘British Rhythm and Blues’ at London’s famed ‘Flamingo Club’) performing locally, he persuaded his dad to buy him a tenor sax, then one afternoon a friend played him a record by the legendry American R&B saxplayer ‘King Curtis’ and he knew immediately that he wanted to play in that style. Martin turned professional with a local group in the late sixties but they broke up after a few months, not wanting to have to have return to a ‘day gig’ he got practicing and landed a job playing on a P&O cruise ship, after a year he took a residency with a ‘cover band’ at ‘Tiffany’s’ Derby before enrolling at Leeds College of Music .

He left music college after 9 months for a summer season at ‘Butlins’ Skegness. Martin moved to London in 1973 for a six night a week residency playing tenor sax, baritone sax and flute with the Tony Evans Band at the Empire Ballroom Leicester Square, the band had regular BBC broadcasts and toured the UK and Europe backing artists such as Tom Jones and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Next came a residency in the ‘house band’ at ‘Caesars Palace’ Luton backing singers, jugglers, comedians, ventriloquists, performing dogs and drag acts!… during that period he started to become a busy freelance player on the London scene, some of Martin’s credits are listed below….

He has appeared on record sessions with Eurythmics, Elkie Brooks, Cliff Richard, The Blues Band, Toyah, Gil Evans, Sacha Distel, Tracey Ullman, Shakatak,  The Tremeloes, Hank Marvin, Billy McKenzie, amongst many others.
He has toured in concerts with Marvin Gaye, Gibert O’Sullivan, Johnny Mathis, Franki Valli & the Four Seasons, Eurythmics, Supremes, Four Tops, Freddie Starr, Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, Inspirational Gospel Choir, Drifters, Frankie Laine, Gloria Gaynor.

His main Influences are B.B. King, Cannonball Adderley, James Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Wilton Felder, Tom Scott, Pete Christlieb, King Curtis, Stan Getz, Paul Horn

Over the years Martin has worked with some very talented musicians in all kinds of musical situations exposing him to a huge variety of musical styles. He’s currently kept busy writing and recording music for production music libraries and playing jazz gigs and functions in East Anglia with his band ‘Midnight Oil’.Weapons in his armoury include Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano sax, Baritone Sax, Flute and Clarinet.

Martin will be playing with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio at The Cherry Tree. 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