JACQUI HICKS at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, Clare on Sunday 6th July 2014 with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio and Larraine Odell

A classically trained clarinettist, Jacqui Hicks studied saxophone & flute on the jazz course at Leeds College of Music and started singing during her three years there. She has since performed with NYJO, Shakatak, Matt Bianco and a number of other top bands as well as running her own group with various great UK jazz artists including pianist John Critchinson and bassist Dave Green.

Jacqui Hicks is the vocalist about whom other jazz musicians sigh with relief when they hear she is on the same gig. She is totally in control and understands every nuance of the process of making jazz music & she is a musician’s musician as well as being an enormously popular entertainer, crowd pleaser and possessing an exquisitely beautiful voice.

She is an unparalleled exponent of the rare art of singing jazz ballads with poise elegance and beauty as well as having a great feel for her beloved Soul and Funk.

The idea of backing musicians is not in her vocabulary. She profoundly understands the true nature of a jazz ensemble, of mutual listening and acute interaction and is not encumbered with notions of stardom and big ego.

Voted one of the top ten British vocalists in 1990 and in the same year released a solo vocal album featuring the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in addition to the two on which she plays sax. Since leaving after four years with the orchestra, Jacqui’s work has been varied, touring Japan, Europe, South Africa, Indonesia and the Far East with Shakatak as well as numerous TV appearances and sessions with Matt Bianco with whom she is featured on their last two albums. She can also be heard on the new Walt Disney video release of “101 Dalmatians”.

Since 1993 Jacqui has worked with the jazz/funk band Shakatak, both as backing vocalist and sax player. She’s toured Europe and Eastern Europe, South Africa, the Far East & Japan numerous times with them and also appears on their albums Let The Piano Play, View From The City, Under Your Spell, Blue Savannah, Beautiful Day and the MOBO nominated Live At Ronnie Scott’s. Jacqui gave us a fantastic evening and it was so nice to see Jacqui close up instead of hiding behind Bill Sharpe’s piano when playing and singing with Shakatak!

Jacqui Hicks played with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
As one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak, Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz and he has played with most of the great names on the UK jazz scene.He recently produced his own critically acclaimed CD “The Blue Window” by Beatifik, which featured top UK saxophonist Mornington Lockett. Jacqui Hicks and Larraine.
Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer, and is an Endorsee Artist for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Hardcases
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.
Touring in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists honed his skills and added to his prodigious repertoire. Supports to players like John Scofield, and singers such as Annie Ross always proved inspirational and served to reinforce his enduring love affair with jazz.
Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player, as is testified by his work with Don Rendell, Jack Parnell, George Chisholm, Pete Jacobson, John Etheridge, Kenny Baker, Allan Skidmore, Dave O’Higgins and many others.
Simon Brown – Piano
A regular pianist at Jazznights for a number of years Simon is also in the resident rhythm section for the Norwich Jazz Club at The Cottage, Thorpe St. Andrew.
Originally influenced by the great Nat King Cole he has now developed a style which references all of the major modern pianists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, et al.
As well as being a first choice pianist for many singers, Simon also runs various bands of his own including the latest venture Beyond Cantaloupe, featuring his arrangements of the music of Herbie Hancock.
With additional vocals from:
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.
She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster and at most of the jazz clubs in the region. Jazz Festival appearances include Bures, Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold.
Larraine’s CD entitled “Portrait” attracted excellent reviews as did her performance on “The Blue Window” CD by Beatifik. She also appeared on Jimpster’s “Messages From The Hub” and is represented on the “Jazz In Essex – Vol 2″ CD.
“I love Larraine’s voice…she has something special” Chrissie Murray – Ronnie Scott’s House Magazine. “Larraine shows a range and soulfulness that simply cannot be taught” – Kenneth Pearson – Jazzmanonline.

Larraine Odell opened the first set with:
1 You Stepped Out of a Dream (1940) Music    by Nacio Herb Brown and Lyrics from Gus Kahn from the spectacular Ziegfeld Girl which was one of the biggest film hits of 1941. The song was a modest hit for Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.
2. Mad About the Boy is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Sir Noël Coward. It was introduced in the 1932 revue Words and Music by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare.
3 Taking A Chance On Love. The composer was Vernon Duke and the lyricist John Latouche. Ted Fetter is often credited as co-lyricist, but in fact he had written an earlier lyric for this song which Duke had dug out of the proverbial trunk and for which Latouche supplied a new lyric.
4 The Thrill Is Gone (1931) with Music from Ray Henderson and Lyrics by Lew Brown.
5. Misty is a jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Erroll Garner.
Originally composed as an instrumental following the traditional 32-bar format and first recorded for Garner’s 1955 album Contrasts, the tune was later paired with lyrics by Johnny Burke and became the signature song of Johnny Mathis.

Jacqui Hicks the joined the trio for:
6. Falling in Love with Love is a show tune from the Rodgers and Hart musical The Boys from Syracuse, where it was introduced by Muriel Angelus. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1938.
7. My Romance is a popular song, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, written for Billy Rose’s musical, Jumbo (1935).
8. Sleep on me by Harold Arlen, the American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and a bottle of wine Jacqui Hicks the re-joined the band for the final set which included:
The end of a beautiful friendship by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and made famous by Nat King Cole.
You Taught My Heart To Sing was written by Cahn, Sammy Cahn and McCoy Tyner.
Pennies from Heaven is a 1936 American popular song with music by Arthur Johnston and words by Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name.
Secret Love is a popular song written in 1953 with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Doris Day famously recorded the best-selling record of the song,
Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)” (commonly referred to as “Stormy Monday”) is a song written and recorded by American blues electric guitar pioneer T-Bone Walker.
Love Letters is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945.
Polka Dots and Moonbeams, a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1940. It was Frank Sinatra’s first hit recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Lullaby of the Leaves,” by composer Bernice Petkere and lyricist Joe Young, was featured in the 1932 Broadway revue Chamberlain Brown’s Scrap Book.
That’s All is a 1952 song written by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes. It has been covered by many jazz and blues artists and was chosen as Jacqui’s final number for this evening, and what a fantastic version it was.

Following this gig we will have on Thursday 10th July – JAZZNIGHTS @ BURES
For the second year running Jazznights has been asked to present one of our evenings at the Bures Music Festival. It kicks off in the time honoured fashion with a set from Larraine Odell followed by the master-vibes of Roger Beaujolais. “…caressing on the ballads and stomping on the up tempo numbers, a master class of jazz vibraphone playing”. Don Emmanuel. Headlining the event will be the ever-popular Alan Barnes. “Whatever the instrument, Alan plays it hard and fast and with the sort of inventive flexibility and invention that ensures that he has his own sound and style and could not be easily be confused with another player. And in these days of musical conformity that is quite something”. Jazz Journal. The Jazznights Trio will be on hand to accompany all of the guests. Click on photos to access Bures site to book £10 tickets. All with the Jazznights Trio Simon Brown (pno), Bernie Hodgkins (bs) & Roger Odell (drs)

THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at  Jazznights, The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX

Admission £10. Doors open 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.

Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.

You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk

For further information on future gigs which will feature CHRISTINE TOBIN (voc) & PHIL ROBSON (gtr), DAVE O’HIGGINS (sax), SIMON SPILLETT (sax) amongst others go to www.jazz-nights.com

QUE PASA at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, Clare on Sunday 22nd June 2014–playlist & picture.

Featuring internationally known pianist Pete Lemer, Adam Amor on saxophones, Steve Cook on bass and Paul Dufour on drums plus Special Guest Paul Higgs on trumpet.
This All-Star band play Latin jazz, standards, originals and contemporary jazz.

Picture by Gareth Williams-James

ADAM AMOR – LEADER, TENOR SAX Founder, composer and arranger for the Spanish Harlow Orchestra.Adam played in New York for five years and studied at Long Island University, Brooklyn, where he was taught by, among others, Paquito D’Rivera, Ray Vega and Tito Puente.He was active on the jazz scene in New York and played for Sonny Rollins’ honorary graduation at LIU and with James Spaulding.Adam now balances lecturing in music and performing arts and composing and playing with the SHO and Back 2 Fun.
Peter Lemer – Keyboards

PETER LEMER is an English jazz musician. He has worked with the Pete Lemer Quintet, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Annette Peacock, Harry Beckett, Gilgamesh, Baker Gurvitz Army, Seventh Wave, Harry Beckett’s Joy Unlimited, Pierre Jazznights Emily Dankworth 020314 (114)Moerlen’s Gong, Mike Oldfield Group, In Cahoots, Miller/Baker/Lemer. He currently works with In Cahoots, Peter Lemer Trio/Quartet, Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, and the Peter Lemer-Billy Thompson  Quartet and Duo. Peter made his recording debut as a leader (Local Colour) in 1996, the band by then including Jon Hiseman, John Surman, George Khan and Tony Reeves. A year in New York followed, which included extensive jamming, gigging and study. Coaches included famed jazz pianists Jaki Byard and Paul Bley and Double Bass guru David Walters. He also studied at the Royal Academy of Music and included Tommy Rajnaand Sven Weber among his classical coaches. In 1969, he worked with the Spontaneous Music Ensemble. In the last few years, Lemer has remained a fixture of In Cahoots – he can be heard on Parallel (1996), Out Of The Blue (2001), All That (2003) and Conspiracy Theories (2006), most of which also feature his writing.

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.

Paul Robinson
1976 was a good year for progression! I moved firmly into the Jazz world. I was asked to join a new band called Turning Point. This band was led by Jeff Clyne, one of Britain’s leading bass players, & singer Pepi Lemer. Jazz gigs & sessions continued, Zoot Money, The Buggles, Cleo Laine, Billy Ocean, Billy Conelly, Jesse Green, Colin Hodgkinson, (Back Door), & countless other sessions, (TV. radio etc) Too many to remember!!!. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977 With Paul Buckmaster is one I can remember!) I also did an album for Shusha with Paul Buckmaster.
1984 I received a call from Martin Drew (Jazz drummer) Martin was the house drummer at Ronnie Scotts Club in London. He had started a 2-week engagement with Nina Simone when he received a call from Oscar Peterson, (one of Martins other gigs) so off he went, booking me to complete the following 8 or 9 days. When the gig was over I thought that was it! How wrong can one be!! That was actually the start of a gig & relationship that would dominate the next 19 years of my life!
Early In The New Millennium  gigs with Mose Allison, Clare Teal, Val Doonican, Mick Hutton, Lea DeLaria (Janette Mason) & others. Although I was not to know it, I was in the last phase of my career with Nina. In April 2003 she died, leaving a large space in my life & career. So, to fill this gap, I went into London’s West End, (Theatre World). Andy Newmark rang me, & gave me a chance to dep in his show, The Lion King. Then on to Chicago + a couple of deps in other shows, Privates On Parade, Anything Goes & Fame.

2004 I did a gig at Carnegie Hall as a tribute to Nina Simone. Later that year a gig at Wembley for The Princes Trust Concert, which was really a tribute to Trevor Horn. I played acoustic & electronic kit for The Buggles, Dollar, Grace Jones, The Art Of Noise, Lisa Stansfield & Seal, + Yes, Frankie Goes To Hollywood & ABC, on percussion with my friends Luis Jardim, Gary Kettel & Frank Riccoti.
Now in 2013, I’m still doing Lion King as a dep & “A Chorus Line” too at the London Palladium. Gigs with Rob Koral & Zoe Schwarz, Mick Hutton, Back Door Too (Colin Hodgkinson). With Simone at Ronnie Scotts Club and just recently The Kuala Lumpur Jazz Festival also with Simone.

PAUL HIGGS – Trumpet
has an extensive music career in many fields including performing, composing for film and TV, musical directing for companies such as the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, and arranging music for film and TV.  He is particularly sought after as a brass arranger within all mediums and genres of music.
He is most renowned as one of the UK’s leading trumpet players and works both as a performer and session musician.  He has performed for luminaries including Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Lulu, Tony Hatch, John Williams, Vic Damone, Nancy Wilson, Brook Benton, Jackie Trent, Al Martino, The Foundations, Danny Williams, Rolf Harris, Johnny Dankworth and Shorty Rodgers.  His session credits include Viva Cabaret, Daytime Live, Pebble Mill at One, Live At City Hall, Wood and Walters, The Tube, Scene Today, In Suspicious Circumstances, The Trial of Lord Lucan and Eleven Men Against Eleven

The playlist for the evening was:

1. Chucho’s Steps from the album of the same name – is an album released by jazz pianist Chucho Valdés and his band, the Afro-Cuban Messengers 2010.

2. Linda Chicano – Linda Chicana Composed by Mark Levine. Artist: Mark Levine
Title: Linda Chicana, Album: One Notch Up from 1999. Mark Levine won his Latin Grammy nomination for best Latin Jazz Recording of 2010

3. Arroz con Pollo means “Rice with Chicken” in Spanish. It is a classic dish of Spain and Latin America, Mexican children’s song. Recorded by Sonny Rollins on his Easy Living Album

4. Crystalline is a song by Icelandic artist Björk, released as the lead single from her eighth album Biophilia

5. Hadouk composed by Loy Ehrlich and Didier Malherbe, France’s Hadouk Trio channelled musical elements from across the globe to create a uniquely mystical and evocative sound somewhere between jazz and world pop.

6. Bemsha Swing (also known as “Bimsha Swing”) is a jazz standard co-written by Thelonious Monk and Denzil Best. The song was first recorded by Monk on the sessions for the album Thelonious Monk Trio in 1952. It was later recorded with Monk as a sideman on the Miles Davis album Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants.

7. Looking For Soup composed by Peter Lemer and is the title track from one of his albums.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and a bottle of wine Que Pasa played the following tunes for the second set:

8. Nica’s Dream is a jazz standard composed by Horace Silver, named for Pannonica de Koenigswarter (née Rothschild; 10 December 1913 – 30 November 1988 was a British-born jazz patroness and writer. The song has been recorded by The Jazz Messengers as well as many other artists.

9. The Glow Of Evening composed by Paul Higgs
From his Album Pavane which is a collection of original compositions that blur the boundaries between classical and jazz. Each piece shows us a new soundscape, and the exquisite sound of Paul’s trumpet.

10. Crisis from Ready for Freddie which is the fourth album by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and was released on the Blue Note label in 1961.

11. Sabor (Spanish for taste, or flavor)  a Latin/Salsa Jazz composition.

12. Latin Funk that is the exact title and not just the music genre.

13. Shadows and Desires moves into a slow, funky mode. It takes the listener back to old George Benson recordings and is composed by Paul Higgs from his album Pavanne.

14. Hope Spring Eternal composed by Bruce Barth.

15. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy is a song written by Joe Zawinul in 1966 for Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and his album Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at ‘The Club’

Many apologies for any errors in the playlist as the writer was unable to get to the gig due to ill-health. Our sincere thanks to Norman Pettitt for the notes and to Gareth Williams-James (who was the MC for the evening) for the main picture.

JACQUI HICKS (voc) will be at Jazznights on Sunday 6th July.
A classically trained clarinettist, Jacqui Hicks studied saxophone & flute on the jazz course at Leeds College of Music and started singing during her three years there. She has since performed with NYJO, Shakatak, Matt Bianco and a number of other top bands as well as running her own group with various great UK jazz artists including pianist John Critchinson and bassist Dave Green.

Followed on Thursday 10th July – JAZZNIGHTS @ BURES
For the second year running Jazznights has been asked to present one of our evenings at the Bures Music Festival. It kicks off in the time honoured fashion with a set from Larraine Odell followed by the master-vibes of Roger Beaujolais. “…caressing on the ballads and stomping on the up tempo numbers, a master class of jazz vibraphone playing”. Don Emmanuel. Headlining the event will be the ever-popular Alan Barnes. “Whatever the instrument, Alan plays it hard and fast and with the sort of inventive flexibility and invention that ensures that he has his own sound and style and could not be easily be confused with another player. And in these days of musical conformity that is quite something”. Jazz Journal. The Jazznights Trio will be on hand to accompany all of the guests. Click on photos to access Bures site to book £10 tickets.

THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at  Jazznights, The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX

Admission £10. Doors open 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.

Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.

You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk

For further information on future gigs which will feature  JACQUI HICKS (voc), CHRISTINE TOBIN (voc) & PHIL ROBSON (gtr), DAVE O’HIGGINS (sax), SIMON SPILLETT (sax) amongst others go to www.jazz-nights.com

RENATO D’AIELLO (sax) at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, Clare on Sunday 8th June 2014

“Renato is a superlative saxophonist with a passionate and poetic soul. He has all the virtues – a beautiful sense of time and pacing and a technique which effortlessly projects his brilliantly flowing ideas.” Ian Carr – Jazz writer. “D’Aiello’s weighty, behind-the-beat sound shows how a poetic imagination can rekindle a long-gone style without nostalgia …” John Fordham – The Guardian.

Born in Naples 1959. Renato began to study the saxophone on 1979 at the age of 20, with virtuoso sax player Antonio Andolfi, then with Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Tony Scott.

Photograph below by Colin Attenborough from the Jazznights gig.

He started his professional career playing with Giovanni Tommaso big band for Pupi Avati’s tv program in 1986/87.
In 1987 he received a full tuition scholarship from Berklee college of Boston.
International tours followed in 1991 with Tony Scott and on 1992 Renato toured Japan with Yoshida Masahiro trio.
In 1993 and 1995 he toured Japan again with same trio.
Tours of Europe with Art Farmer and Rachel Gould in 1996/97.
His composition credits include music for an opera entitled “Seven Red Doors” by writer Oberto Airaudi and several co-productions for IRMA Records as sax player and producer.
In1999 became resident in UK.

He has played with a number of world class musicians in his career, including:

Art Farmer, Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Eddie Duran, Kirk Lightsey, Keith Copeland, Duffy Jackson, Roland Prince, Alain Jean Marie, Spike Robinson, Jim Mullen, Claire Teal, Bruce Forman, Gene Calderazzo, Phil Lee, Sax Appeal, Bruce Adams, Mark Bassey, C.Tracey, D.Green, G. Husband, P. Jacobsen, S. Melling, Gilad Atzmon, P. Robson and John Chritchinson.

He performed at major UK venues, including:
The Late Night Show at Ronnie Scott’s, Upstairs at the Ronnie Scott’s Bar, The Royal Festival Hall foyer, Jazz Cafe’, The Vortex, The Barbican foyer, Wigmore Hall, The National Theatre Foyer, Pizza Express Dean street, Pizza Express Maidstone, The Crypt camberwell, The Crypt St.Martin In fields Trafalgar Square, Pizza on the park, Jazz Cafe’ Posk, Primo Bar at Hotel Plaza Westminster,Italian Cultural Institute Of London, 606 Club.

Renato was playing with the the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
As one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak, Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz and he has played with most of the great names on the UK jazz scene.He recently produced his own critically acclaimed CD “The Blue Window” by Beatifik, which featured top UK saxophonist Mornington Lockett. Jacqui Hicks and Larraine.
Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer, and is an Endorsee Artist for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Hardcases
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.
Touring in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists honed his skills and added to his prodigious repertoire. Supports to players like John Scofield, and singers such as Annie Ross always proved inspirational and served to reinforce his enduring love affair with jazz.
Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player, as is testified by his work with Don Rendell, Jack Parnell, George Chisholm, Pete Jacobson, John Etheridge, Kenny Baker, Allan Skidmore, Dave O’Higgins and many others.
Simon Brown – Piano
A regular pianist at Jazznights for a number of years Simon is also in the resident rhythm section for the Norwich Jazz Club at The Cottage, Thorpe St. Andrew.
Originally influenced by the great Nat King Cole he has now developed a style which references all of the major modern pianists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, et al.
As well as being a first choice pianist for many singers, Simon also runs various bands of his own including the latest venture Beyond Cantaloupe, featuring his arrangements of the music of Herbie Hancock.
With additional vocals from:
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.
She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster and at most of the jazz clubs in the region. Jazz Festival appearances include Bures, Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold.
Larraine’s CD entitled “Portrait” attracted excellent reviews as did her performance on “The Blue Window” CD by Beatifik. She also appeared on Jimpster’s “Messages From The Hub” and is represented on the “Jazz In Essex – Vol 2″ CD.
“I love Larraine’s voice…she has something special” Chrissie Murray – Ronnie Scott’s House Magazine.
“Larraine shows a range and soulfulness that simply cannot be taught” – Kenneth Pearson – Jazzmanonline.

Larraine Odell opened the first set with:
Taking A Chance On Love. The composer was Vernon Duke and the lyricist John Latouche. Ted Fetter is often credited as co-lyricist, but in fact he had written an earlier lyric for this song which Duke had dug out of the proverbial trunk and for which Latouche supplied a new lyric.
Mad About the Boy is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Sir Noël Coward. It was introduced in the 1932 revue Words and Music by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare.
Weaver of Dreams is an album by guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1960 and 1961 and originally released on the Columbia label. The album features Burrell’s vocal talents as well as his guitar playing.
The Masquerade Is Over (1938) Music    by Allie Wrubel and Lyrics from Herb Magidson. Featured by Billie Holiday among many others.

Renato D’Aiello the joined the Jazznights Trio to play:
Bye, Bye, Blackbird is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926
Portrait Of Jennie (1948) is from a film of the same name and is the title song written by J. Russell Robinson, which subsequently became a hit for Nat King Cole.
I Remember You was a collaboration of Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer was introduced in the 1942 motion picture The Fleet’s In, featuring Jimmy Dorsey’s Orchestra.
I Wish I Knew (1945) written by Harry Warren and brought to the jazz world by Chet Baker.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and a 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 Geoff Harriman playing his harmonica in his version of Sunny.

Renato D’Aiello then re-joined the band to play:
Body and Soul is a popular song and jazz standard written in 1930 by Johnny Green. One of the most famous and influential takes was recorded by Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra on October 11, 1939, at their only recording session for Bluebird, a subsidiary of RCA Victor.
It was Parker’s version of If I Should Lose You that brought the song to the attention of both jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Music written by Ralph Rainger.
I Remember You written by Victor Schertzinger. It was another  of Charlie Parker’s stellar Verve session recordings from July 1953 with Bird in magnificent flight as was Renato’s version this evening.
If Ever I would Leave You written by Frederick Loewe and featured in Camelot and famously recorded by Kenny Dorham.

QUE PASA will be at Jazznights on Sunday 22nd June 2014
Featuring Adam Amor on saxophones, Peter Lemer (ex Barbara Thompson, Ginger Baker) on piano, Steve Cook (ex Mike Westbrook, Soft Machine) on double bass, and Paul Robinson (ex Nina Simone, Trevor Horn, Van Morrison) on drums plus Special Guest Paul Higgs (trp) this All-Star band play Latin jazz, standards, originals and contemporary jazz.

THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at  Jazznights, The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX

Admission £10. Doors open 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.

Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.

You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk

For further information on future gigs which will feature  JACQUI HICKS (voc), CHRISTINE TOBIN (voc) & PHIL ROBSON (gtr), DAVE O’HIGGINS (sax), SIMON SPILLETT (sax) amongst others go to www.jazz-nights.com