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BBC Radio Suffolk recorded this gig for broadcast on Stephen Foster’s programme at Christmas time.
“Every now and then a new voice with a fresh attitude arrives on the jazz scene – that voice is here within the soul of Juliet Kelly”. DR COURTNEY PINE C.B.E. “Sweet, sexy and seductive… an absolute pleasure to listen to” IAN CARR.
JAZZWISE
“an original talent rare amongst those who would call themselves jazz singers”
JAZZWISE
“If Juliet could not sing a note, her song writing alone should assure her of a successful career. But 
sing she certainly can.”
TIME OUT
“With her honey-tone vocals, insightful, personal lyrics, savvy original songs and intelligent choice of covers, she effortlessly mixes jazz, soul, pop and funk… one of the UK’s finest singers in any genre.” (Liquorice Kiss)
All those quotes were more than confirmed at this excellent gig at Jazz Nights
Juliet Kelly sang with the Jazz Nights 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.
Simon Brown – Piano
Simon is a highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs throughout East Anglia when he is not playing at Jazznights or with his own trio, quartet and quintet.
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, the Lakeside Jazz Club at Lyng and The Green Man at Rackheath. 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.
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.
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. 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 Gareth Williams-James
Larraine Odell opened the first set singing:
All or Nothing at All is a song composed in 1939 by Arthur Altman, with lyrics by Jack Lawrence. Frank Sinatra’s 1939 recording of the song became a huge hit in 194.
Speak Low (1943) is a popular jazz standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden 
Nash and has been recorded by many jazz artists. This was performed by Larraine to a lovely Roger Odell arrangement.
This Can’t Be Love (1938) from Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart. A 1939 radio broadcast captured clarinettist Artie Shaw’s band in a groovy mood on their arrangement of this tune. Propelled by young Buddy Rich on drums.
I Thought About You (1939) with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics from Johnny Mercer. It was among the first tunes that lyricist Johnny Mercer collaborated on with composer Jimmy Van Heusen.
Isn’t It a Pity? is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for the 1933 musical Pardon My English. A lovely version from Larraine and a personal favourite of the writer. A great finale to Larraine’s set for the evening.
Juliet Kelly opened her first set with a very bouncy version of the Gershwin’s 1927 ‘S Wonderful! This catchy tune was around for eleven years before Benny Goodman recorded it 
with his quartet in 1938 and Coleman Hawkins recorded it in 1944.
Mutual Attraction (followed the theme of love at first sight) written by Juliet Kelly and featured on her album new limited edition EP Spellbound Stories based on some of her favourite novels as well as her album Juliet Kelly Liquorice Kiss.
Composer Victor Young wrote this song as the title piece for the film My Foolish Heart for which he also wrote the score. Long-time collaborator Ned Washington wrote the lyrics. Sung in the style of Tony Bennett from his Together album with Bill Evans.
Forbidden Fruit by Juliet Kelly and inspired by The Color Purple – a novel by American author Alice Walker.The song was again EP Spellbound Stories based on some of her favourite novels as well as her album Liquorice Kiss.
Following 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 great young Harry Greene on tenor sax but instead of a solo spot he joined Juliet Kelly for two numbers in the second set.
Juliet Kelly opened the second set and played:
April In Paris (rather different than December in Clare) in the Frank Sinatra style. Pianist Thelonious Monk’s Trio recording for Blue Note from 1947 was his first trio recording, and it’s possible that his version of “April in Paris” was responsible for bringing the tune out of the dance band doldrums it been consigned to for years and into the jazz field.
Fine and Mellow is a jazz standard written by Billie Holiday, who first recorded it on April 20, 1939 on the Commodore label. It’s more famous B-side was Strange Fruit. Harry Greene on tenor sax joined Juliet for this number.
As a total contrast One Note Samba (1961) followed. Words and Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim and was inspired by the style of Astrud Gilberto.
My Baby Just Cares for Me is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Written for the film version of the musical comedy Whoopee! (1930).
Duke Ellington’s Orchestra introduced Mood Indigo at New York’s Cotton Club in 1930. Although composer credit for the tune was Barney Bigard, Duke Ellington, and Irving Mills (Ellington’s manager at the time).
Caravan (1936) Music by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol with Lyrics from Irving Mills although “When it came to royalties, the settlement was often a flat fee. For ‘Caravan’ Irving Mills paid Juan Tizol twenty-five dollars.”
This was a storming up-tempo version with Roger Odell introducing it on the drums and Juliet including Harry Greene on tenor played and sang with great verve to huge applause.
Juliet then continued with another of her compositions from the Spellbound Stories EP Surrender which was based on the Middlemarch book by George Eliot.
Tainted Love is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of American group The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964 but this wonderful version was performed in the style of Peggy Lee and was a superb finale to Juliet’s second set of the evening.
JAZZWISE wrote “an original talent rare amongst those who would call themselves jazz singers” and “If Juliet could not sing a note, her song writing alone should assure her of a successful career. But sing she certainly can.” The wonderful tonal quality of Juliet is something to behold but she deserves far more credit for her talent of song writing. Thank you Juliet Kelly
MICK HANSON (gtr) will be at Jazz Nights on Sunday 21ast December 2014
Formerly from the local area, Mick moved on to establish himself as one of the major players on the UK jazz guitar scene with his duo performances with Dave Newton and in the trio Organic Matters. His forte is hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz with a contemporary Blue Note school approach.
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.
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