Mick Hanson one of the UK’s leading exponents of jazz guitar returned to Jazznights at The Bell Hotel Clare on Sunday 27th August 2017 to play with the Roger Odell Trio, Larraine Odell and with Reg Webb in the sitting in spot.

Formerly from the local area, Mick Hanson 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.

Mick Hanson is one of the UK’s leading exponents of jazz guitar. His unique style is a masterful fusion of his early blues roots with the honest swinging jazz of the 50’s and 60’s. Mick has worked and recorded with many of the worlds best known performers including Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Dick Morrissey, Brian Dee, Gordon Beck and Dave Newton, and recorded two critically acclaimed albums as a leader.

  Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Mick Hanson and Roger Odell

Mick Hanson was be 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.

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.

Bernie Hodgkins – 5 strung double bass
He has toured in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists and  honed his skills and adding to his prodigious repertoire. Spending much of his time in the recording   studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player.

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.

Larraine Odell opened the first set with some great jazz standards

Following the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s 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 Reg Webb playing the piano.

Reg is an English musician and singer-son gwriter. He achieved success not only with his own band Fusihon (which later became The Reg Webb Band and featured  Nik Kershaw), but also touring with Lenny Kravitz, The Outfield, Suzi Quatr0 and others. He is also part of a duo called ‘Short People’.

Reg Webb predominantly plays keyboards and is a vocalist.

Sun 10 Sep – ADAM GLASSER (harmonica) will be at Jazznights on Sunday 10th September 2017

Award-winning Jazz harmonica player Adam Glasser grew up in South Africa and is currently London-based. He won the 2010 SAMA Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and his recent album Mzansi was also nominated Best Jazz Album at the 2012 SAMA Awards. For this special night he pays tribute to the recently departed Toots Thielemans.

 

THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, The Bell Hotel. Clare, Suffolk. CO10 8NN

Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.

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

Pictures from past gigs can also be seen HERE

For further information on future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
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Nicolas Meier – A stunning return to Jazznights at the Bell Hotel Clare with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio & Larraine Odell Sunday 27th March 2016

In just a few short years UK-based Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the UK’s most original guitarists. Drawing on a love of Turkish, Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango all mix with jazz, Meier has developed his own unique sound with his regular group (latest release was his eight album with his full band.) See Media page for more details.

London based Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier is one of the stars of a vibrant British jazz scene, his trademark sound, as heard on his MGP Records and Naim albums, a mixture of Methenyesque jazz and spicy Turkish and world music rhythms. 

While in 2006 Meier and his band won the prestigious Grand Prize Of The Jury and 1st Prize Jazz Guitar at Jazz a Juan Revelations 2006: A competition open to the finest new jazz musicians and bands in Europe and run by the legendary Jazz A Juan Festival. He has become increasingly well known in his adopted country where his Nicolas Meier Group featuring some incredible musicians (listed below) has toured extensively for the last 8 years.

Meier draws on a multitude of influences: Jazz, Flamenco, Latin and middle-eastern music are all passionately explored in a series of heartfelt acoustic modern jazz originals and all represent part of Meier’s musical and personal world. His wife Songul is Turkish and he has spent time there and in Spain and ‘Orient’ draws on the melodies and rhythms of both countries. Writing in the Guardian, John Fordham described Meier as” elegant in tone and bubbling with ideas… his originality as a writer, a player and a team leader dispatches any doubts” and described his debut album Orient as ‘a seductive balance of strong themes, inventive improvising and dynamic variety’.

Meier who was born in 73 first picked up the guitar when he was 12. His parents, both art lovers, had wide-ranging musical tastes and he was exposed to classical, jazz, Latin, flamenco, rock and pop. And it was an early gift from his father of Joe Satriani’s legendary ‘Surfing with the Aliens’ and Tony MacAlpine’s Maximum Security (major intelligent rock guitar-god albums) that first really convinced a young Meier to get practicing. Perhaps his old man was worried because he was subsequently taken on a family outing to the Montreux Jazz festival (in what would become an annual pilgrimage) where he heard Carlos Santana with special guest Wayne Shorter. And later that summer Meier was blown away when he saw John McLaughlin’s trio in Antibes (Trilok Gurtu and Jeff Berlin). In fact Mclaughlin’s album Live at the Royal Festival Hall would be a major influence on Meier with its mix of many styles.

Interestingly Meier’s passion for both rock and jazz persists to this day. Something he partly credits to his teacher Francis Coletta (at the Conservatoire Fribourg) who while inspiring a profound love of jazz and world music encouraged the young man to transcribe rock solos as well! In fact Meier is one of the rare musicians who plays both metal and jazz and has written books on both : ‘Heavy Metal part I: Rhythm Guitar’  and ‘Jazz part I: Chord Tones’. Both published by « http://www.ibreathemusic.com ». Meier states of his two seemingly divergent loves :“I deeply love both styles. There is magic in each style that the other one doesn’t have. I just love metal’s power and energy and at the same time I love jazz’s deep emotion. Both styles can give high energy but in different directions or different worlds”.

Meier studied arranging with Max Jendly and Francis Boland before earning a scholarship to Berklee in Boston, USA and immersing himself in classic Amercian jazz (Parker, Coltrane, Miles etc) and playing acoustic jazz and fusion. He graduated and returned to Switzerland in 98 and formed the « Meier Group » who became festival regulars and he jammed in Montreux with the likes of Rachelle Ferrel, George Duke, Macy Gray and Will Calhoun. But Meier missed the vibe of Boston, the energy of America and looking around for somewhere that combined European culture and American ‘drive’ he settled on London as the perfect synthesis. Arriving in London Meier met drummer Asaf Sirkis who he credits with helping open his ears to Middle-Eastern music as well as helping him find his feet in London. “He is such a passionate player that I just had  to keep playing with him whenever I could and  I met Gilad Atzmon  through him and many other great players”.

Meier’s sound is rooted in his love of playing jazz on acoustic guitar, especially his Godin nylon string guitar. It’s a sound that lends itself especially to flamenco and middle-eastern music and it’s all these influences and more that Meier has so brilliantly fused together in his music. He also plays fretless acoustic guitar, which sounds something like a cross between an acoustic guitar and the oud (an Arabic stringed instrument) and the Saz, a traditional Turkish instrument. While his new album also features fretted and steel guitars, Godin glissentar (11 stringed insturment) and a baglama.

As well as leading his own band, he has also recorded “Guidance” featuring Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons with a guitar orchestra (acoustic, electric & synth guitars) for American Classical label Centaur and he continues to lead “Seven7” his nu-metal band as after three full length albums which have had outstanding reviews. http://www.seven7.name.

Meier is a guitar tutor at Goldsmiths University
and at the “Academy of Contemporary Music” in Guildford.

Nicolas Played with 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.

Peter Lemer – Keyboards

Peter studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He remained a fixture of In Cahoots – he can be heard on Parallel (1996), Out Of The Blue (2001), – as well as playing one-off gigs with old friends Steve Cook (bass) and Roger Odell (drums), recording an album with them in Israel

       
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 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.

Larraine Odell – Vocals

Larraine began 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, Royal Festival Hall. Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s

           

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the erudite Gareth Williams-James

Larraine Odell opened the first set with some lovely jazz standards including:

Bennny Golson’s Whisper Not
John Coltrane’s Equinox
Night & Day by Cole Porter
Richard Rodger’s and Lorenz Hart’s Wait Till You See Him
What’s New by Bob Haggart with lyrics from Johnny Burke

Nicolas Meier then joined the band to play extended versions of:

Poinciana is a tune  by Nat Simon based on a Cuban folk tune
How High the Moon is a jazz standard by Stan Kenton
Body and Soul the great jazz standard from Johnny Green
Brazil by Ary Barroso

Following the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s 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 Geoff Harriman with his harmonica playing Gentle Rain and vocals from Jean Faulkner singing Exactly Like You

          

Nicolas Meier then re-joined the trio more extended versions of:

Breeze a composition by Nicolas Meier played on a fretless 12 string guitar
Pat Metheny’s No Matter What

 

Sergio Mendes’s Slow Hot Wind
Spain is an instrumental jazz fusion composition by jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea

This was a truly magnificent evening for ma master guitar musician which  was fully appreciated and lauded by the Jazz Nights crowd.

We are also delighted to learn that Jazznights will be presenting Nicolas again as well as Emily Dankworth at the Bures Music Festival in July 2016.

Sunday 10th April 2016 – HANNAH HORTON (saxes)

Hannah plays regular monthly sessions at the Haverhill Arts Centre where she performs with some of the best UK jazz musicians. “Hannah has a warmly attractive ‘vocal’ sound on the tenor and baritone saxophone combined with lovely unhackneyed phrasing” – John Etheridge.

THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, The Bell Hotel. Clare, Suffolk.

Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.

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

Pictures from past gigs can also be seen HERE

For further information on future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com

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Que Pasa playing fantastic Latin Jazz at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, Clare on July 19th 2015 – pictures and band details.

(click on images for larger pictures)

QUE PASA Playing Latin Jazz, classic standards, originals, contemporary jazz and more. Featuring:

ADAM AMOR – LEADER, TENOR & SOPRANO 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 – Piano 
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 – Drums
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!

Paul Higggs – TRUMPET
He 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. Paul is a mainstay of the jazz group Rebop.

 

                                        Paul Robinson, Steve Cook & Peter Lemer

   

                                                  Adam Amor & Paul Higgs

KEVIN FLANAGAN will be at Jazznights on Sunday 2nd August 2015 with the Jazznights trio. Saxophonist Kevin Flanagan, comes from Lowell, Mass. USA. After dropping out of high school, he co-founded the group Antares, an improvising and jazz-based cooperative which toured New England and the UK in the mid-70’s to early 80’s. He settled in the UK in the mid-80’s and worked on the London jazz and pop scene, playing and recording with a range of different performers, and in a variety of styles.Finally he settled on Jazz and has certainly made his mark on the British Jazz scene. A regular member of the band Rebop.

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 

Pictures from past gigs can also bee seen HERE

For further information on future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
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Derek Nash at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio – Clare, Suffolk Sun 28th Nov 2010

What a great gig with the vibrant and charismatic performer on all 4 sax’s from Soprano to Baritone, Derek Nash is equally at home leading the award winning Jazz ensemble Sax Appeal to Funky Heights, or swinging his way to best CD of the year 2000 with Spike Robinson. As a full member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, he has performed in front of 65,000 people at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff & also to over 100,000 at the Glastonbury Festival. He has appeared live & on TV with with many top performers including Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Tom Jones, Paul Carrack, Jamie Cullum, Mavis Staples, Will Young, Ruby Turner and Sam Brown.

Last night he was performing at The Royal Albert Hall with the Jools Holland Band and the following night he was here at Jazznights in Clare, Suffolk

Derek was accompanied by the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio which included:

Roger Odell – drums
Roger was 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
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
Andy Noble –Keyboards
Andy regularly plays with the Albert Garza Trio, Ben Greenslade-Stanton Fuerza, Carl Orr’s Dangerfunk and the Jazznights Trio as well as other bands in and around London and East Anglia.
and
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 Scotts. 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.

Larraine opened the first set with the 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein song – It Might As Well Be Spring, Richard Rodgers says that he wrote the number at a bright tempo and this is how Larraine performed it with a real swing to it. A personal favourite came next On Green Dolphin Street with lyrics by Ned Washington. This was played and sung by Larraine with an unusually slow tempo intro moving into a medium tempo which illustrated her flexibility and great styling. Although Mark Murphy made this very popular vocally, Larraine made it her own. Andy Noble & Bernie both gave solos.

Night and Day by Cole Porter followed, this was written for the 1932 musical play Gay Divorce was a very swinging up-tempo again with a very “drummy” version by Roger Odell. For Heaven’s Sake which Billie Holiday featured on her Lady In Satin came next as a very  sensitive number by Larraine. Bernie’s solo echoed this sensitive element Too Close For Comfort which was a lovely ending to Larraine’s set. All arrangements were by Roger Odell

Sonny Rollin’s Doxy opened Derek Nash’s first set on tenor in B flat  featuring all the band members including trades between Derek and Roger on drums. Derek pointed out that temperature can radically effect the tone of tenors and as this was a very cold night, tuning could be a problem – it wasn’t!  Derek switched to Baritone for Ellington’s (or was it Strayhorn?) Morning Glory in a slow foxtrot tempo. This was superb and a tune that is not played enough these days.

Voodoo Rex  – Derek’s own composition came next which is featured on his next album due out in JANUARY 2011. Derek was playing his Steve Goodson Voodoo Rex Alto Sax. It was played in a real New Orleans style – you could sense the influence of the old New Orleans Marching Bands. This gave Roger a real workout on the drums and this featured trades between Derek and Bernie on his five string double bass.

Little Darlin’ or Li’l Darlin which was featured by Count Basie followed  with Derek on Soprano (Alto, Tenor and Baritone had already  been featured on this short first set by Derek). This is usually played in a slow way – but not this time. I was going to say in an up-tempo way but it was just fast! Derek started, Andy and Bernie followed with a great solo from Roger. To think that last night he was playing in the Royal Albert Hall with Jools Holland and tonight we had a relatively small audience, no doubt due to the very cold and very icy weather – but they missed a real treat. Here endeth the first set.

After the interval we had the Jazznights raffle which again offered three CD’s and a bottle of French Merlot. This was followed by the traditional Jazznights sitting in spot which is open to all musicians – amateur or professional who have an  opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio. Firstly Will Jarmin took to the drums. Will started playing drums at the age of 12 in 2001, since then he has played in numerous local bands and achieved grade 8 on the drum kit. After achieving a BA (Hons) in Music at Colchester Institute, Will is teaching and performing in various Jazz, Rock, Folk and Funk groups. Since starting drum lessons, Will has studied a wide range of techniques and styles including rock, funk, jazz and Latin. He plays percussion, including Congas and Bongos, and holds a valid CRB check certificate. Will was joined by Harry Green , a thirteen year old local boy who tonight brought along his tenor. Harry is also very proficient with the alto as well as guitar in which his forte is blues. They were all joined by Derek Nash on Hank Mobley’s 1960 Soul Station. This was originally played by Hank in the hard bop idiom and tonight’s rendition followed that tradition. Again all members of the band had their opportunity to join in. Such is Derek’s practice to involve every one into the music..

The second sitting in spot featured Bill Sharpe on keys who together with Roger Odell were founders of the Jazz funk Shakatak in 1981. This was a very welcome and great surprise. Bill and the rest of the band together with Derek Nash went straight into Mile’s Davis’s All Blues which of course was originally featured on Miles seminal album “Kind Of Blue”. Bill gave us a great solo which left us wanting more. Incidentally, Shakatak will be playing two gigs at Highbarn in Great Bardfield on the 14th and 15th of January 2011.

Andy retuned to the trio for the next number which again is featured on Derek’s next album due out in January a Derek Nash composition called Majolica. Derek played soprano and again all the band were featured. A Bossa Nova followed which was a composition by Derek and his father – Haunting Me was played on the Baritone. Both Derek’s father and mother were present at the gig as they were at last nights performance at the Albert Hall.

Derek invited Harry Green to the floor again for the final number of the evening – Charlie Parker’s 1945 Billie’s Bounce in F which was played at a cracking pace and included trades between  Derek, Harry and Roger on the Drums. How could this evening go so quickly. Derek is a master musician and a real gentleman. If you get the chance to see Derek – don’t miss it.

For further information and gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com

Christian Brewer (alto sax) together with the Roger Odell Trio at Jazznights Clare Sunday 14th Nov 2010 8.00pm £7.00

Christian is one of the most lyrical and soulful alto players to have emerged from the UK in recent years. Loved for his melodic playing and pure tone, he has risen to prominence on the British jazz scene. He is now a regular at London’s prestigious Ronnie Scott’s and both he and his band are in great demand.

Christian studied at Leeds and The Guildhall School of Music. However, the defining musical inspiration came from playing alongside Julian Joseph and the Mondesir brothers at Ian Carr¹s jazz London fusion orchestra.

"..a truly superlative debut,the standard of playing is phenomenal.Brewer is a superb alto saxophonist and an excellent composer." – Ian Carr

"..A Phil Woods-like accuracy on fast tracks combines with a soul-searching Art Pepper quality to his ballad playing.." – Jazzwise magazine

"He is a remarkably fluent and craftsman like improviser" – Jazz UK

Brewer himself is a passionate, gutsy player with what Ian Carr accurately describes as a ‘glowing, lyrical sound’ infused with abrasive pep

Go to http://www.jazz-nights.com for further details

Sophie Smith at Jazznights Clare, Suffolk on Sunday 31st October 2010

Sophie Smith visited Jazznights and following the quotes below we were looking forward to a great evening:

“Sophie Smith has all the attributes associated with being that rarity, a great singer. They are: superb intonation, beautiful quality of voice and an ability to pitch the most difficult of intervals with apparent ease. However, it is her peerless sense of swing, her phrasing and her harmonic awareness that move her into the category of a great jazz singer- an even rarer breed.” (Alan Barnes, 2009)

“Her fluent and lyrical singing displays a musical maturity beyond her years.” (Anita Wardell

This turned out to be the understatement of the year it was really superb evening – more about that later.

The Roger Odell Jazznights trio opened the evening with 5 excellent vocals from the resident songbird Larraine Odell. The trio were:

Roger Odell – drums
Roger was 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.
Simon Brown – piano
A very respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio
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.
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 Scotts. 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.

Larraine opened her set with Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s 1939 I Didn’t Know What Time It Was – for historians this Rodgers and Hart song was introduced by Benny Goodman, with vocalist Louise Tobin, on the Columbia label on September 13, 1939. It entered the charts on October 28, lasting for 13 weeks and peaking at sixth position. On December 23, Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra’s version hit the charts for 2 weeks and rose to thirteenth position. This was sung at a medium tempo with a solo from Simon Brown.

A personal favourite came next On Green Dolphin Street with lyrics by Ned Washington. This was played and sung by Larraine at an unusually slow tempo which illustrates her flexibility and great styling. One may think of Davis, of Bill Evans with Davis performing On Green Dolphin Street but Simon on piano gave a superb solo to which Bernie followed on bass. Day by Day came next (not the Shakatak version I must say)  A very nice version featuring 8 bar trades between Roger and Bernie.

The fourth number was Wild Is The Wind by Ned Washington. This was originally recorded by Johnny Mathis but he did not sing it like Larraine who gave a very tender but haunting feel to it. This was in keeping as it was 31st October – Halloween. Just to finish the set retaining the Halloween theme we had Old Devil Moon. A fitting climax with a driving beat from Roger on drums. All these numbers were arranged by Roger Odell which should give a fitting reminder to how great an arranger Roger is.

Sophie Smith opened her first set with a driving Love Me Or Leave Me which was such a contrast from Doris Day’s original version. This received great cheers following everyone’s recognition of what a great voice, diction individuality and power Sophie had. Sophie followed this with It Could Happen To You by Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke. This is the title track from Sophie’s new CD on Alan Barnes record label – Woodville records. A wonderful number which included some of Sophie’s scat singing and featured solos from Simon, Bernie and Roger on drums.

The 1949 My Foolish Heart by Victor young and lyrics by Ned Washington followed was played with a Latin beat which had a lovely musical but strong rendition. The evergreen (sic) 1947 Autumn leaves by by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Jacques Prevert ended Sophia’s first set which was an unusually (for that song) swinging version. Sophie apologised for her voice as she had a cold but no one would ever know – what a professional she is.

After the evening interval and the Jazznights raffle (two jazz cd’s and a bottle of wine) we had the traditional sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an  opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio. Tonight, one of the club’s favourites Geoff Harriman on Harmonica played Jimmy Van Heusen’s Nancy (with the Laughing Face)

Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer’s I’m Old Fashioned opened Sophie’s second set with an Introduction by Simon Brown on Piano leading straight into Sophie’s first number which also featured solos by Simon and Bernie on his five stringed double bass. Jimmy Rowle’s famous tune ‘The Peacocks’ for which Norma Winstone wrote the lyrics, and re-titled ‘A Timeless Place’ followed. Although this piece has since been recorded by other artists including jazz singer Mark Murphy, and The Swingle Singers it is not often heard due to the vocal complexities – quite a tribute to Sophie Smith.

The 1946 Come Rain Or Come Shine with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johnny Mercer followed with a scat singing intro of this up-tempo number and solos by Simon & Bernie with a fine scat chorus to finish. Ray Noble’s 1936 The Touch Of Your Lips was next. played and sung as a Samba with Roger opening the rhythm playing with his hands instead of the sticks or brushes. Roger also gave us a superb solo using the brushes as drum sticks.

Sophie’s favourite ballad is apparently Johnny Green’s  Body and Soul – words almost failed us after listening this – it was breath-taking and even out shone all the other previous numbers. After a very slow intro it moved into a very sensitive and soulful piece. Every one should hear Sophie singing Body and Soul. You felt nothing could better this. After saying that Cole Porter’s You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To in E minor was a very up-tempo number with a happy feel to Sophie’s voice which expressed fully the sentiment of the tune. She is a truly great jazz singer. This number is also featured on her new Album and in fact is the title of the album.

Tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray’s Twisted with lyrics by Annie Ross (I think) played up-tempo ended this wonderful evening. It also featured Simon and Bernie playing with that understanding that they have between them and an extended solo by Roger on the drums.

The evening was summed up perfectly by our master of ceremonies Donald Muir who  said “One of the best performances at the club for a long time” Follow that

For further Jazznights information and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com

Roger Beaujolais (Vibes) at Jazznights, Clare, Sunday 17th Oct 2010 with the Roger Odell Trio

One of Jazznights most popular guest artists, Roger made a welcome return to The Bell at Clare. As the most experienced of the few UK vibes players he has enjoyed a long career both as a leader of his own various bands and as a sideman, most famously with the band Fairground Attraction.

Roger has played at at numerous jazz festivals including Montreux, North Sea & others in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium & France. Now he was at Jazznights again.

The evening opened with the Jazznights Roger Odell Trio and our resident songbird Larraine Odell:

 

Roger Odell – drums
Roger was 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.
Simon Brown – piano
A very respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio

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.
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 Scotts. 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.

Larraine opened the evening with the 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein song – It Might As Well Be Spring, Richard Rodgers says that he wrote the number at a bright tempo and this is how Larraine performed it. I’ll Close My Eyes, another 1945 song but by William Gordon Reid and Buddy Kaye followed with solos by Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins and Roger Odell using the brushes and trading with Bernie. The third number Just In Time by by Jule Styne with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green opened with Just Larraine and a backing by Bernie before being joined by Simon and Roger.

Next came a haunting arrangement and version of The Thrill is Gone by Ray Henderson and Lyrics by Lew Brown with a superb arrangement by Roger Odell. A very swinging version Cole Porter’s 1955 number from his last Broadway show Silk Stockings – All Of You ended Larraine’s set: with a great solo from Simon.

Roger Beaujolais opened his first set with an up-tempo version of Alone Together by by Arthur Schwarz. This showed Roger Beaujolais’s dexterity with the mallets. This included an extended solo by Simon  on the piano. Chick Corea’s  Sea Journey was Roger B’s next number which had a driving beat from Roger Odell who also offered the first solo.

The trumpeter Thad Jones best known composition A Child is Born (not the Johnny Mathis cover version of course) was very tenderly  played by  Roger B which showed off to a great effect his versatility of styles over his first set. The quality of the trio also showed through – this must be one of the finest jazz trios in East Anglia.

After the Jazznights raffle which included 4 jazz cd’s as well as a bottle of red wine we had the traditional sitting-in-spot which tonight featured the popular Geoff Harriman on harmonica playing two numbers – all warmly appreciated by the audience: a sensitive version of Tenderly and an up-tempo Fly Me To The Moon

Roger B opened his second set with Wes Montgomery’s well known West Coast Blues  followed by solos from Simon, Bernie and 8 bar trades between Roger B, Roger O and Simon. A contrast followed by the Italian bossa nova Estate – which is Italian for Summer by the composer Bruno Martino – a lovely number truly  reflecting the theme name. Miles Davis’s Half Nelson was next featuring solos from Simon and Bernie with 4 bar trades between the two Rogers. All the band excelled on this number. If only some of these secessions were available on down load or CD.

I Remember You was ‘slightly’ differently played than the 60’s yodelling song by Frank Ifield! All the band featured on the solos including Bernie who used all five strings on  his double bass to good effect. Bass player and arranger Bob Haggart’s composition What’s New? from 1939 featured an unaccompanied solo from Roger B which contrasted with the up-tempo finale from Roger B – Hank Mobley’s This I Dig Of You which was a great climax to the evening with the applause continuing for some time. All the band were featured with breaks from Roger Odell on drums. Roger Beaujolais is truly a master musician.

The next gig at Jazznights – Clare on the 31st October 2010 features Sophie Smith:

"Sophie Smith has all the attributes associated with being that rarity, a great singer. They are: superb intonation, beautiful quality of voice and an ability to pitch the most difficult of intervals with apparent ease. However, it is her peerless sense of swing, her phrasing and her harmonic awareness that move her into the category of a great jazz singer- an even rarer breed." (Alan Barnes, 2009)

Come and see heat at this great venue

Go to www.jazz-nights.com for further details and gigs

Dick Pearce at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio Sunday 19th September 2010

Dick Pearce joined the Roger Odell Trio and Larraine Odell at Jazznights, The Bell Hotel, Clare in Suffolk with our Master Of Ceremonies – Donald Muir

One of the UK’s finest and most exciting jazz trumpeters, Dick Pearce was Ronnie Scott’s frontline partner for fourteen years. More recently he has performed with Gilad Atzmon, Clark and Stan Tracey’s Ellingtonia, Alan Barnes and Don Weller in A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley

‘Look at the Trumpet player with Ronnie Scott tonight, Dick Pearce. Tremendously talented- I called home to a couple of friends of mine about him.
‘ Oscar Peterson – (Interview in Melody Maker)

‘Dick Pearce plays the most exquisite, heart stopping music … his elegant, flowing lines are up there with anything by Bobby Hackett, Chet Baker or Miles Davis that I have heard.’ (Brian Blain) – what an in introduction!

The Jazznights trio with Larraine Odell  opened the evening with a medium tempo Alone Together composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by Howard Dietz featuring both Simon Brown and Andy Doyle

Roger Odell – drums
Roger was 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.
Simon Brown – piano
A very respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio

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Andy Doyle – double bass
Andy is a superb bass player and a regular member of the Lewis Wright quartet. and the Rhythm and blues band the Keno Kings
Larraine Odell – vocals 
Larraine has performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH, Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.

Larraine opened the first set with Alone Together composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by Howard Dietz which featured both Simon Brown on piano and Andy Doyle on double bass.A sensitive The Gentle Rain followed by Luiz Bonfá with a very lovely solo by Simon. Night and Day by Cole Porter which was written for the 1932 musical play Gay Divorce was a very swinging up-tempo again featuring Simon with great support from Roger on the drums. A tender A Time For Love by Jonny Mandell was beautifully sung by Larraine with brushwork giving the support from Roger.

I’m Old Fashioned, a 1942 song composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer.It was written for the film You Were Never Lovelier (1942), where it was introduced by Nan Wynn who dubbed for Rita Hayworth as part of a song and dance routine with Fred Astaire. (O.K. you didn’t want to know that!). This was a great finale to Larraine’s set which had a solo from Simon and 8 bar trades between Andy and Roger. All these were arranged by Roger Odell.

Dick Pearce, who coincidentally replace Harry Beckett, another great British trumpet player who sadly passed away recently, opened with a cracking tune which we new so well, but could not bring the name to mind (old age is my excuse). Victor Young’s A Weaver Of Dreams followed in E flat with intro from Dick with breaks by Simon and Andy.Great opening solo from Dick on Horace Silver’s Adjustment with Roger featured on drums after trades with Andy on bass. Thelonius Monk’s Purple Shades ended the first set. Dick introduced this number with “It is not played a lot and tonight is no exception” – it was of course superb. Dick’s dry sense of humour continued throughout the evening and certainly had shades of Ronnie Scott, after all, he did spend 14 years with the Ronnie Scott Quintet!

After the break we had the Jazznights raffle which apart from a bottle of red wine, a Buddy De Franco quartet CD and an Anita Wardell CD, we had one of Ron Mattewson’s socks (un washed) which was proudly presented by Dick Pearce! (Ron Mattewson was of course a bassist with Ronnie Scott for many years). Geoff Harriman with his harmonica then featured in the Jazznights sitting in spot playing Ray Charles’s You Don’t Know Me.

Dick opened the second set with another Victor Young number: Stella By Starlight in E flat. Sigmund Romberg’s Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise was played as an up-tempo number which featured the flying fingers of Simon Brown. The third tune was composed by Dick Pearce. This had no title and was passed round to the band on a scrap of paper about the size of a page in a small notebook. It all gelled so well with a swing rhythm powered by Roger on drums.

 Happy Man composed again by Dick was played in an “uppish” tempo (Dick’s word, not mine and was played at a medium tempo.

Dick’s next tune was played in a “Bossarish  manner as sung by the White Rabbit in Alice In Wonderland” (guess who said that!) played at a medium tempo. (Wikipedia tells us that "White Rabbit" is a psychedelic rock/acid rock song from Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow.) Unusually, Dick finished the evening with a ballad at Roger’s request.the 1942 Lover Man  was a superb number which had great bass support for both Dick and Simon by Andy Doyle on bass who gave a very sensitive break. A wonderful evening yet again from Jazznights – all thanks to Roger Odell who organises the club.

For further information and future gigs visit www.jazz-nights.com

Art Theman at Jazznights: Clare, Suffolk Sunday 5th September 2010

Art Themen started playing jazz with the Cambridge University Jazz Group, and then in London playing with blues musicians Jack Bruce and Alexis Korner. In 1965 he played with the Peter Stuyvesant Jazz Orchestra in Zürich, going on to play with such English luminaries as Michael Garrick and Graham Collier’s Music.

In 1974 he entered on what was to be one of his central musical relationships when he started playing with Stan Tracey. He has played with all of Tracey’s groups, touring with him all over the world as well as around the UK. He has also played and toured with musicians such as Nat Adderley, Ian Carr, George Coleman, and Al Haig.

Art was joined by the Jazznights trio and Larraine Odell on vocals
Roger Odell– drums
Roger was 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.
Simon Brown – piano
A very respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio
Bernie Hodkins – 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.
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 Scotts. 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.

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Larraine and the Trio opened the first set with Brooks Bowman’s East of the Sun and West Of The Moon featuring Simon Brown on piano. Second was Estate – French for Summer by the composer Bruno Martino with words by Joel Siegal. This really is a lovely song and Larraine more than did it justice in a sensitive and soulful manner. An up-tempo Night and Day by Cole Porter (from the 1932 production of Gay Divorce) featured a notable (sorry about the pun) solo from Bernie Hodgkins on bass.

The 1930 standard Body and Soul by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton was a interesting as Simon was playing in a different key to every one else!. Quite interesting to note that one is hard pressed to think of jazz groups that don’t include it in their repertoire but it was but it was Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (Jack Fulton, vocal) who popularized it first. Their recording hit the charts on October 11, 1930, and held the number one spot for six weeks. Cole Porter’s 1955 number from his last Broadway show Silk Stockings – All Of You ended Larraine’s set: with an opening solo by Bernie leading into an up-tempo finale.

Art Theman on tenor opened his first set with Jerome Kern’s 1939 bouncy All The Thing You Are with 8 bar trades between Art and  Roger on drums as well as an outstanding solo on bass by Bernie. Art’s second number featured his soprano sax which has a curved neck and bell which looks much like a baby alto. (There is  some debate over the effect of the straight and curved neck, with some players believing that a curved neck on a soprano gives it a warmer, less nasal tone) the 1937 Someday My Prince Will Come by Frank E Churchill. Interesting that many associate this with the Miles Davis recording but he didn’t record his rendition until 1961. This featured solos from both Simon and Bernie.

The ever popular ballad Hoagy Carmichael’s 1929 Stardust followed with Art reverting  to tenor. Great sequence of 8 bar trades between Art and Roger again (Roger certainly earned his corn this evening) and a tender solo from Bernie. Sigmund Romberg’s 1928 Softly As A Morning Sunrise as featured by Sonny Rollins ended Art’s first set which went far to quickly.

The regular Jazznights sitting in spot opened the second set of the evening with a debut performance of two songs from Patrice Taylor (or was it Patrese Taylor?)L: Henry Nemo’s 1941 Tis Autumn and the 1950 Orange Coloured Sky by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein – better known as I was walking along, minding my business, When out of an orange-colored sky, Flash! Bam! Alakazam! A regular local songstress followed with her version of  I Wanna Be Loved By You from the 1928 musical Good Boy, the song being made famous by Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.

Art Theman opened his second set with Sonny Rollins Take Off Your shoes featuring solos by all the bans and 4 bar trades with Art, Roger and Simon. You are The One followed followed again with solos from all. Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood followed which Art played as a tribute to Harry Beckett who sadly died as was due to play at Jazznights this evening. This also featured Bernie with a very subtle solo accompanied by superb brushwork from Roger

  Art’s next tune featured a great rendition of Dexter Gordon’s Cheesecake (many of Dexter’s tunes were named after food – despite his slim build!) followed which was opened with Bernie on bass leading into Art and the trio and a noteworthy solo from Simon. Sonny Rollin’s Doxy (which was also the name of Sonny’s own record label: Doxy Records) in which Art featured both the soprano and tenor saxophones.

A powerful version of Ray Noble’s 1938 Cherokee closed what seemed to be a far too brief evening. It is no surprise of course that Cherokee is often chosen to close a gig  with its naturally fast beat which is often  played at “tempo de bitch”

A wonderful evening with a trio of East Anglia’s finest jazz musicians together with one of thw UK’s leading saxophonists, Art being one the The Three Tenors (not of voice though – just the tenor sax!

For further details and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com. The evening also has the the Jazznights sitting-in spot open for any musicians who would like to play at the club with the Roger Odell Trio.

Peter King at Jazznights, Clare Sunday 22nd August 2010

Undoubtedly the finest jazz musician in the UK as these people will testify. "I hear both Trane & Bird in his playing but he’s better than either of them" Gene Lees. "World’s great altoist – my man!" Nat Adderley. "A wonderful musician…master of his instrument" Elvin Jones. "One of the best musicians in the world" Lalo Schifrin.  We would add: a world class musician

Peter King joined the Jazznights Roger Odell trio for a magical gig this month:
Roger Odell– drums
Roger was 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.
Simon Brown – piano
A very respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio
Dave Olney – bass

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Apart from his superb jazz accompaniments he has been a resident musician on both Parkinson and Strictly Come Dancing. including Rod Stewart, Ronan Keating, Dionne Warwick, Elaine Page. Elton John as well as Sooty & Postman Pat
For the first set the trio were joined by the resident songbird Larraine Odell 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.

Larraine opened with I Didn’t Know What Time It Is was written by Richard Rodgers and the lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical Too Many Girls (1939) which included solos from Simon Brown & Dave Olney. The 1934 song You And The Night And The  Music followed featuring a solo by Simon Brown. Larraine’s third number was an up-tempo All Of You which was a variation of the Miles Davis arrangement by Roger Odell. A very tender You’re My thrill was followed by Cole Porter’s Get Out Of Town in an up-tempo version which featured Roger on drums that finished Larraine’s set. A great feature of all these songs was the original arrangements by Roger Odell.

The Man In Black of the Alto, Peter King opened his first set with Kurt Weill’s Speak Low featuring trades with Roger – a superb up-tempo opening which had the packed house (plus those standing outside the door who couldn’t get in) roaring with approval. The ballad I Can’t Get Started – which certainly belied the title, featured Simon on piano and Dave Olney on the double bass which showcased his very rounded smooth sound. John Coltrane’s Impressions ended Peter’s first set with a superb opening solo – where did he get those upper register notes that you thought must have come from a soprano rather than an alto! 8 bar trades worked so well with Peter and Roger. This left us all so looking forward to the second set.

The traditional Jazznights sitting in spot (open to all musicians who have an  opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio) featured two numbers by Paul Oldfield on piano with Roger on drums and Dave Olney on bass. The audience certainly appreciated the performance if the reception he got was anything to go by.

Peter King opened his second set with Night And Day featuring trades with Simon, Dave and Roger – their smiles certainly showed their enjoyment of the whole number – although they had to work hard! A swinging version of Alone Together preceded Someday My Prince Will Come which included solos by Simon Brown and Roger Odell.

A medley of ballads followed which included Peter’s own composition Lush Life featuring its fluttering high register patterns followed by Body & Souls, unfortunately the Lush Life solo was not as long as his magnificent solo on his Lush Life Peter King Quartet CD – time was running out – surely it couldn’t be 10.30 already. Time though did not stop a rousing finale with Cherokee, the fiery spirit was encompassed by the whole band.

See www.jazz-nights.com for further information and future gig