WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MUSICIANS Young Jazz Musician Award 1996
Mark Nightingale with Bernie Hodgkins and Stuart Pringle
Just some of the artists Mark has played or recorded with…
Jazz
Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, Clark Terry, James Morrison, Slide Hampton, Conte Candoli, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler, Dado Moroni, Carl Fontana, Jiggs Whigham, Claire Martin, Andy Panayi, Scott Hamilton, Nigel Hitchcock, Laurence Cottle, Ken Poplowski, Clark Tracey, Alan Barnes, John Surman, Stan Tracey, Lee Konitz, George Shearing, Mike Gibbs, Georgie Fame, Bill Holman, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Davies, Charlie Watts, Bill Frisell, Bob Florence, Peter King, Warren Vache, BBC Big Band, WDR Big Band, NDR Big Band, Colin Towns Mask Orchestra, Louie Bellson.
Pop
Steely Dan, Sting, Kylie Minogue, Cher, Robbie Williams, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Take That, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Westlife, Pet Shop Boys, Blur, McFly, Wet Wet Wet, The Spice Girls, Elton John,
Other
Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Michel Le Grand, London Brass, New Trombone Collective, Tony Bennet, Peggy Lee, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Julie Andrews, James Galway, London Sinfonietta, London Brass Virtuosi, Reg Vardy Band,
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Mark Nightingale and Stuart Pringle
Mark was playing with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Simon BrownBernie HodgkinsStuart Pringle
Vocals from Larraine Odell
Larraine OdellSimon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Mark Nightingale and Stuart Pringle
Sunday 8th September 2019 – MATT WATES (sax) will be at Jazznights
“A truly remarkable young British alto saxophonist” Dave Gelly, Observer. “A performer of boundless ability” Ken Rattenbury, Crescendo. “The most swinging alto player on both sides of the Atlantic” Duncan Lamont. “An incredibly talented musician and composer” John Dankworth. “In his modest way, Matt Wates is a bit of a phenomenon” Dave Gelly, Observer.
Sun 08 Sep – MATT WATES (sax)
“A truly remarkable young British alto saxophonist” Dave Gelly, Observer. “A performer of boundless ability” Ken Rattenbury, Crescendo. “The most swinging alto player on both sides of the Atlantic” Duncan Lamont. “An incredibly talented musician and composer” John Dankworth. “In his modest way, Matt Wates is a bit of a phenomenon” Dave Gelly, Observer.
Creative & original mainstream jazz from one of today’s most individual new male jazz voices – charismatic singer/songwriter, Kevin Fitzsimmons – praised by jazz critics for his naturally swinging vocal, elastic phrasing and engaging, highly personable stage presence. Together with some of the UK’s top straight-ahead & modern bebop musicians (players described by Jazzwise Magazine in review of Fitzsimmons’ album as “the cream of UK straight-ahead jazz musicians”). Known for their sassy new take on the genre, they re-style carefully-chosen standards from likes of Legrand, Strayhorn, Jobim, Mercer, Ellington with taste & verve. Interspersed with their formidable jazz versions of classic pop recordings (Beatles, Sam Cooke, Sting, Billy Preston, Paul Weller, Supergrass) plus a few of Fitzsimmons’own songs – some co-written with Sax Appeal frontman Derek Nash – has garnered them fans far & wide. In addition, the band offer several projects particularly suitable for jazz festivals:- “Bright Lights, Big City: Tribute to Cannonball Adderley/Ernie Andrews/Eddie Vinson” (read preview here http://www.londonjazznews.com/2016/03/preview-kevin-fitzsimons-bright-lights.html); “The ‘In Crowd’: Jazz In The Swinging 60s “(explores jazz artists that seeped into the mainstream during this unique time alongside new jazz translations of era’s pop hit-makers), “Too Marvellous: Sinatra At Capitol Today” (reimagines the rich seam from Sinatra’s supreme time on the Capitol label for today’s jazz fans).
Kevin Fitzsimmons
About Kevin Fitzsimmons
Long a fan of Mark Murphy, Kevin Fitzsimmons is a London born jazz singer, bandleader, lyricist & songwriter, with a self-produced album ‘Show Me The Way’ released to considerable critical acclaim. He’s enjoyed many sell out shows at Ronnie Scotts and at venues nationwide, a concert broadcast live on Jazz FM, headlined in 400 seater Athens concert backed by pioneers of Greek jazz scene, The Dimitris Kalantzis Quartet, and with his band appeared in E4′s Made In Chelsea. He plays all the top London jazz clubs, including The 606, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, has several festival appearances under his belt including Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and has sang at Birdland Jazz Club, NYC. His distinctive vocals been used by by global brands (like Louis Vuitton, Hermes) and corporations for campaigns in New York, Far East, Europe, London, as well as for TV and radio commercials – including a TV advert with Hollywood film star Naomi Watts. Furthermore, as a favoured vocalist on the corporate/party/private events scene, he’s entertained royalty twice and been booked by many celebrities and sports stars to sing at their own private events. A natural lyricist (& artist/cartoonist), he also writes in collaboration with musicians, most notably the Jools Holland saxophonist Derek Nash. In addition, and running separately to his career on the UK jazz scene, Kevin Fitzsimmons also fronts a touring Big Band theatre concert alongside the Pete Long Orchestra (‘Sinatra Sequins & Swing (The Capitol Years Live!’) based on Sinatra’s supreme era on the Capitol label.
Kevin Fitzsimmons
“Lovers of the jazz vocal mainstream have another star to follow” – JAZZWISE MAGAZINE
“Fitzsimmons shows he is a thoroughbred jazz singer and can even swing a superior rock song such as “Paul Weller’s ‘You Do Something To Me” – MARLBANK
“Has the most unenviable job in jazz: sounding original in the male-jazz-vocalist mould. But he’s his own man, highly personable, “a musician’s singer” – JAZZ JOURNAL
“Unique interpretations, superb presence, unique personality. A brilliant gig” – MOREOPINIONS (JAZZNIGHTS) BLOG
“A very encouraging sign that modern jazz and male vocals are not incompatible” – UKVIBE (JAZZ CULTURE ONLINE)
“Lush Life is something of a test, and he passes it with honours” – THE IRISH/SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
“Reminiscent of Kurt Elling’s in that Fitzsimmons isn’t afraid to nonchalantly wander off the melody line while still capturing the song’s essence” –JAZZWISE MAGAZINE
“Blessed with a rich voice, mature phrasing and a superb sense of swing” – JAZZ CAMERA
“Supple, naturally versatile vocal & the warmth of his voice helps to steer the session away from the schmaltzy showbiz side of popular jazz vocals” – JAZZWISE MAGAZINE
“Wow Kevin Fitzsimmons can really swing a song” – Birdland Jazz Club, New York
Simon Brown, Dave Olney, Kevin Fitzsimmons and Roger Odell
Kevin sang with :
Roger OdellSimon BrownDave OlneyLarraine OdellKevin Fitzsimmons duetting with Larraine nOdell
Following the interval Raffle of three jazz CDs we had the traditional sitting in spot which gives local musicians to st in with the band, tonight we had the pleasure of Carol Bleiker singing Our Love Is Here To Stay and Jean Faulkner singing Misty
Carol BleikerJean Faulkner
Simon Brown, Dave Olney, Kevin Fitzsimmons and Roger Odell
On Sunday 28th July 2019 – MICK FOSTER (bari) & GEOFF MASON (trb) will be at Jazznights
Mick Foster and Geoff Mason perform a tribute to their past heroes. Mick’s baritone sax and Geoff’s trombone pay their respects to the cool sounds of the 1950’s that were produced by Gerry Mulligan’s sax and Bob Brookmeyer’s valve trombone where their warm and swinging sounds found a way into the public’s soul worldwide.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Tim Whitehead was born in Liverpool, the son of one of the original writers of Dennis the Menace in the children’s comic, The Beano. His first public performance was as solo clarinettist in his school orchestra’s rendition of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, conducted by his fellow pupil, the now knighted, Sir Simon Rattle. From this promising musical beginning, Tim decided to follow a career in Law, but was pulled back to music, and more specifically jazz, soon after qualifying.
Tim Whitehead
During his career, Tim has played extensively throughout the UK and Europe, and more recently in the USA with American pianist Phil DeGreg. In the 70s he toured with Ian Carr’s Nucleus and Graham Collier Music and won the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year Award with his own band South of the Border in 1977.
In the 80’s he was a member of the groundbreaking big band Loose Tubes, and continued to develop his own music, recording for Spotlite Records and Editions EG – English People (1983) and Decision (1987) with his own bands, featuring at different times John Parricelli, Django Bates, Nic France and Pete Jacobsen. In the 90’s he recorded Authentic and Silence Between Waves, on Ronnie Scott’s Jazz House Label with Dave Barry, Pete Jacobsen and Arnie Somogyi, and received The Andrew Milne Award for Jazz, as well as several other commissions during this period. In 1999 Tim released Personal Standards, an album of soul and pop tunes arranged for jazz quartet, which received widespread interest and critical praise including Jazz Album of the Year in the BBC Music Magazine, and led to an educational project at Trinity College of Music under the same title. In 2000, Contemporary composer Colin Riley and Tim won the Peter Whittingham Award to complete and record Tides with the Homemade Orchestra. This was the beginning of a long term collaboration. Since then the HomeMade Orchestra have toured extensively and received several awards and commissions as well as releasing their second album, Inside Covers in 2005.
In 2004 Tim founded the musicians’ co-operative WayOutWest, which he continued to chair until 2010, presenting regular performances at the Ram Jam Club in Kingston and latterly, The Orange Tree in Richmond, and at local theatres as well as workshops and discussion groups. Early in 2005, Tim toured with the award-winning Italian pianist Giovanni Mirabassi. This led to the release of their album Lucky Boys (in the UK and Japan) in 2006 and since then they have continued to work together both in the UK and Europe. Also during this period, Tim premiered Landscape with Birds, a saxophone concerto by Colin Riley, with the Orchestra Viva. In November 2007 he featured with BBC New Generations Artist Gwilym Simcock in The Free Thinking Festival at St George’s Hall in Liverpool, recorded live for BBC Radio 3, also collaborating with Gospel singer Jennifer Johns on his own piece‘Let Her Rave’.
Tim Whitehead
In 2008-9 Tim toured and recorded a new work, ‘Nonsense’, co-written with Colin Riley and Liam Noble featuring settings of Children’s Poet Laureate Michael Rosen’s two books of Nonsense poetry, which was performed at The Queen Elizabeth Hall , Southbank Centre in London in The London Jazz Festival 2008.
In 2009 he was the first ever musician Artist in Residence at Tate Britain (funded by an award from The Leverhulme Trust), to research and compose music in response to the work of JMW Turner. During the residency he wrote ‘Colour Beginnings’, a series of compositions written from transcribed improvisations performed in front of and in response to a selection of JMW Turner’s watercolour sketches. The work was performed at Tate Britain in November 2009 following a series of lecture demonstrations in October. The performance was also recorded for release in 2010 and filmed for a profile on the project by Gwynhelek Productions. December 2009 saw a collaboration with Colin Riley and The Royal College Of Music String Orchestra, to perform‘Landscapes With Birds’ by Riley for tenor and soprano saxes, which Tim performed with them at St James Church Piccadilly in London , and which was also performed at The Royal College Of Music in January 2010.
‘Colour Beginnings’ has been shortlisted again, this time for the Parliamentary All Party Jazz Awards 2011 Album Of The Year.
In 2010 Tim continued touring ‘Nonsense’ with Michael Rosen and The Homemade Orchestra remained active in the Way Out West co-operative, and organised a fund raising concert for the charity ‘Parents For Inclusion’, for whom he served as a trustee. In Autumn he toured and released the CD album ‘Colour Beginnings’, to critical acclaim, receiving a four star review in The Guardian, five stars in The BBC Music Magazine and three in The Times, and was shortlisted for THE BRITISH COMPOSER AWARDS 2010 for ‘Colour Beginnings’.
Tim Whitehead with Roger Odell
In 2011 ‘Colour Beginnings’ was again being toured from April onwards, and work began on a new project for young children with Michael Rosen and The Homemade Orchestra, and the album was also shortlisted for Jazz Album Of The Year 2011
In May 2012 Colour Beginnings was performed on WDR German Radio by Tim’s Personal Standards Quartet.
The London Jazz Festival commissioned Tim to compose ‘Turner And The Thames’ for the 2013 and 2014 festivals, which were performed by Tim’s quartet at The Festival Hall Ballroom and The Maritime Museum in Greenwich at the opening of their exhibition‘Turner And The Sea’. The second stage of the commission is scheduled for three performances at the LJF 2014 and a UK tour in March 2015.
In 2014 Tim collaborated with his daughter Maisie, composing and performing an orchestral score for her dance and aerial show‘Strung Out’, which was performed at ‘The Place’ (London Contemporary Dance), in February and three performances in The Kingston International Youth Arts Festival in July.
Tim co-founded and chaired Jazz Umbrella in the 90’s, and WayOutWest in 2004, and was for some years an active member of the Musician’s Union. He was also chair person of the charity Parents For Inclusion for 7 years to 2011.
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins Tim Whitehead and Roger Odell
Tim played with Roger Odell, Simon Brown and Bernie Hodgkins with vocals from Larraine Odell
Following the interval Raffle of three jazz CDs we had the traditional sitting in spot which gives local musicians to st in with the band, tonight we had the pleasure of Geoff Harriman playing “You Don’t Know Me” on his harmonica
Geoff HarrimanSimon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Tim Whitehead and Roger Odell
Thursday 11th July 2019 – JAZZNIGHTS @ BURES
As part of the Bures Music Festival we are organising the Jazz Evening at St Mary’s Church, Bures. The evening will start with our own Larraine Odell followed by the outstanding clarinettist Julian Marc Stringle. Julian will then join our headliner vocalist Jacqui Hicks for the main set. The Jazznights Trio accompany.
Sunday 14th July 2019 – KEVIN FITZSIMMONS (voc) will be at Jazznights
Performing his own brand of fresh-sounding vocal improvisations to jazz standards and his own jazz arrangements of iconic pop/soul tunes & jazz originals (including some co-written with Jools Holland sax star Derek Nash) Kevin has garnered critical acclaim and fans far and wide with performances at Ronnie Scott’s and the EFG London Jazz Festival.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Martin Dobson started clarinet lessons at age twelve, but soon became more interested in playing guitar in a local rock group that he’d formed!, but later after having seen Georgie Fame and Zoot Money (early exponents of ‘British Rhythm and Blues’ at London’s famed ‘Flamingo Club’) performing locally, he persuaded his dad to buy him a tenor sax, then one afternoon a friend played him a record by the legendary American R&B saxplayer ‘King Curtis’ and he knew immediately that he wanted to play in that style.
Martin Dobson
Martin turned professional with a local group in the late sixties but they broke up after a few months, not wanting to have to have return to a ‘day gig’ he got practising and landed a job playing on a P&O cruise ship, after a year he took a residency with a ‘cover band’ at ‘Tiffany’s’ Derby before enrolling at Leeds College of Music . He left music college after 9 months for a summer season at ‘Butlins’ Skegness. Martin moved to London in 1973 for a six night a week residency playing tenor sax, baritone sax and flute with the Tony Evans Band at the Empire Ballroom Leicester Square, the band had regular BBC broadcasts and toured the UK and Europe backing artists such as Tom Jones and Gilbert O’Sullivan.
Martin Dobson
Next came a residency in the ‘house band’ at ‘Caesars Palace’ Luton backing singers, jugglers, comedians, ventriloquists, performing dogs and drag acts!… during that period he started to become a busy freelance player on the London scene,
Martin Dobson Martin Dobson
Martin Dobson fronted Midnight Oil which included Chrissy Lee on drums (roger Odell was away with Shakatak in Japan) Bernie Hodgkins on electric bass Guitar and Simon Brown on keys,
Chrissy LeeBernie HopdgkinsSimon Brown
Following the interval we had a raffle of three jazz CDs
Martin Dobson with Midnight Oil
On Sunday 30th June 2019 – TIM WHITEHEAD (sax) will be at Jazznights
Tim was famously a member of the ground-breaking band Loose Tubes. “Those of us who have caught him live have been left blinking in disbelief. It’s not just his mastery of the tenor saxophone, phenomenal though it is, but the absolute conviction of his playing that is so impressive.” Dave Gelly (The Observer/ BBC ).
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
“Masterful Clarinet! Luca Luciano is a noted Italian clarinettist and composer, having developed an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso around the UK and overseas via recordings and concert hall appearances” (The Musician magazine, 2008)
Luca Luciano
“Such a virtuoso musical performance and such joyful uplifting music I just couldn’t resist it” (Tom Robinson, BBC Radio, 2009)
Internationally recognised for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary clarinet music, praised by Musical Opinion (UK’s oldest classical music magazine) for his “constantly beautiful tone”, he starts his career at a very young age and has since “established himself as the friendly face of contemporary clarinet”, according to the Clarinet & Saxophone Magazine.
Luca Luciano
His work has been described as “romantic, soulful and technically superb” and, with a repertoire that embraces more than two centuries of Western music, Luca is considered one of the most versatile musicians of his generation. Luciano has presented new works (either his compositions or music especially written/arranged for him) and rarely played music at some of the most established venues of the UK, Europe and America with a portfolio that also features the best universities of the UK and South America. He is mainly active as a solo artist presenting original projects via concerts/recitals and his experience includes TV and radio performances, master-classes and lecture-recitals, six solo albums, orchestra and chamber music.
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Roger Odell and Luca Lucioano
Larraine Odell
Luca played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger OdellSimon BrownBernie Hodgkins
Following the interval Raffle of three jazz CDs we had the traditional sitting in spot which gives local musicians to st in with the band, tonight we had the pleasure of Carol Bleiker singing “When You Have Got To Sing”
Carol BleikerBernie Hodgkins, Larraine Odell and Roger Odell
On Sunday 16th June 2019 Jazznights will present – MIDNIGHT OIL
Martin Dobson’s Midnight Oil band are featured this week with Martin on saxes & flute with Simon Brown (keys), Bernie Hodgkins (bs gtr & bs) plus the brilliant Crissy Lee on drums. They always play great sets of well known jazz standards that move towards the funky side of jazz in the style of Grover Washington. (Roger Odell is away in Japan with Shakatak
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
“Straight-ahead, high energy jazz is his line and he does it with aplomb” – The Guardian
Simon Spillett
Described by the late Humphrey Lyttelton as “formidable,” Simon Spillett is a British jazz saxophonist who leads his own quartet featuring Robin Aspland (piano), Alec Dankworth (bass) and Clark Tracey (drums). He has won several awards for his music, including the tenor saxophone category of the British Jazz Awards (2011), Jazz Journal magazine’s Critic’s Choice CD of the Year (2009) Rising Star in the BBC Jazz Awards (2007) and most recently the Services to British Jazz in the 2016 British Jazz Awards.
Other celebrated jazz leaders and bands with whom he has worked have included Sir John Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Peter King and The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. He has recorded three albums, Introducing Simon Spillett (Woodville Records, 2007), Sienna Red (Woodville Records, 2008) andSquare One (Gearbox Records, 2013), all of which have received highly favourable reviews in both the specialist and national press. His festival, concert and club appearances across the UK have included sold-out gigs at Ronnie Scott’s and the Brecon Jazz Festival and he has broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz-Line Up with his own band.He is also a respected saxophone tutor, teaching individual students and providing masterclasses and workshops across the UK.In 2016, Simon was appointed to the board of patrons of The Jazz Centre UK, alongside Sir Michael Parkinson, Dame Cleo Laine, Jools Holland and Van Morrison.
Bernie Hodgkins, Simon Spillett and Roger Odell
Simon Spillett
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Simon Spillett and Roger Odell
Simon SApillett played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger OdellSimon BrownBernie HodgkinsLarraine Odell
Following the interval Raffle of three jazz CDs we had the traditional sitting in spot which gives local musicians to st in with the band, tonight we had Carol Bleiker singing Everything’s in rhythm with my heart.
Sunday 2nd June 2019 Jazznights presents Luca Luciano
“Masterful Clarinet! Luca is a noted Italian clarinettist and composer, having developed an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso around the UK and overseas via recordings and concert hall appearances” The Musician magazine, “Such a virtuoso musical performance and such joyful uplifting music” Tom Robinson, BBC Radio.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Jill Saward began her musical career at the age of 16, with the British progressive jazz rock band Fusion Orchestra, from 1969 to 1972.[1]
Jill Saward and the Fusion Orchestra gained a following of fans who secured a record deal with EMI music to produce their first album Skeleton in Armour, an album that immediately received critical acclaim upon its debut, and is now considered a collector’s item which is highly sought after.[citation needed]
Jill Saward
After the
band Fusion Orchestra split, Saward became involved in a new all female group,
called Brandy. The band, produced by Polydor, was active for about three years
in the UK and Europe, before disbanding in 1976.
Saward was
spotted later by the band leader Nicky North who invited her to perform in the
‘Cats Whiskers’ with his own big soul funk band. She also made a name for
herself as one of the UK’s
session singers at that time. Saward also had a brief stint with a musical
group of all women, called Citizen Gang, built by a French manufacturer of
Orpheus Productions, and still managed to collaborate with the Nicky North
Band. It was in this period she met band, Nigel Wright and Roger Odell, who are
still components of jazz-funk band Shakatak.[2]
It was
through them that Saward was able to record some vocals on an experimental
track of a song called “Steppin“, and after nine top ten hits
Saward was invited to be a permanent part of the group and started to tour
worldwide.
Jill Saward
She became
the leading voice of Shakatak sharing success for more than 35 years. The band
is still touring and recording and still popular around the world, especially
in Europe and the Far East. They usually
publish a new album every two years for JVC Records and Secret Records.[3]
Despite
constant touring and recording, Saward has always managed to find time to
develop new projects, and still continues to write and record new material.[4]She has
been married with the charismatic bass player George Anderson, also a member of
Shakatak, with whom she had two sons, Luis and James. They divorced in
2001. [6]
The Shakatak frontwoman had the procedure while taking part in Living TV’s Pop Goes The Band, a show which sees former musical stars, as Bucks Fizz, Bananarama, Visage, Cleopatra, 911, Chaka Khan and more, undergoing surgery in a bid to relaunch their careers [6] .A source from that show in 2008 said: “Jill’s recovery was touch and go as to whether she would be healed in time for her ‘reveal’ on camera. She didn’t heal very well and had a bad infection.” [
When Jill Saward is not touring with her band Shakatak, she lives in Italy, in the small village of Martis in Sardinia, where she owns and runs a guest house with her current partner the businessman Chris Johnson.
Jill Saward
Jill was singing with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger OdellSimon BrownBernie Hodgkins
With additional vocals from:
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Jill Saward and Roger OdellLarraine OdellSimon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Larraine Odell and Roger Odell
Sunday 19th May 2019 – SIMON SPILLETT (sax)
A regular at Jazznights who always blows up a storm. Originally influenced by the great Tubby Hayes, Simon has now forged his own path in contemporary straight ahead modern jazz. He has won several awards for his music, including the tenor saxophone category of the British Jazz Awards.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Owen Morgan; Double Bass, Electric Bass, Producer and EducatorO
As a musician, teacher and student Owen has worked in a wide range of artistic activity as contrabassist, electric bassist, electronic musician, composer, engineer and producer. Although experienced in a wide range of musical styles as a performer and session musician, his focus is as an improvising musician, playing Jazz as a sideman and leader in many ensembles. As a composer he works with sound design and found-sound alongside traditional harmony and improvisation to create music with new sonic textures. He currently teaches music at Summerhill School, one of the founding institutions for democratic, child-led education.
Renato D’Aiello
Within Jazz Owen has recently worked with Pete King, Tina May, Jim Mullen, Steve Melling, Mark Crooks, Alan Barnes, Derek Nash, Allison Neale, Paul Higgs, Brigitte Beraha, Joanna Eden, Sarah Moule, Amit Chaudhuri, Jessie Barrett and Nat Steel. He is a regular member of the Norwich Philharmonic orchestra’s bass section. As an engineer and producer he has worked with artists such as Fionn Regan (100 Acres of Sycammore), Jetsam (A Dream Life of Hackney Marshes), The Darkness (Hot Cakes), Wild Beasts (Two Dancers), Adam Buxton, Max Rafferty (The Kooks), Imelda May, The Rifles, and Pnau. Within education he has worked with Aldeburgh Young Musicians, Norwich Future Projects, Access to Music, A.S. Neills Summerhill School and the Britten Sinfonia.
Renato D’Seiello with Owen MorganSimon Brown, Renato D’Aiello, Owen Morgan and Roger Odell
The Jazznights Trio accompanied Renato who were:
Roger OdellSimon BrownOwen MorganLarraine OdellSimon Brown, Owen Morgan, Larraine Odell and Roger Odell
Following the interval Raffle of three jazz CDs we had the traditional sitting in spot which gives local musicians to st in with the band, tonight we had Geoff Harriman oplaying harmonica with Brian Stapley on drums playing The Nearness Of You.
Brian Stapley and Geoff HarrimanSimon Brown, Renato D’Aiello, Own Morgan and Roger Odell
Sunday 5th May 2018 we have JILL SAWARD vocals
Shakatak’s Jill Saward has recently completed a number of special sold-out jazz club performances in Sardinia – now her main country of residence. This presented an ideal opportunity to invite her to bring her program of well-known standards for a very special performance at Jazznights!
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
A natural born improviser from an early age, Hannah has played the saxophone since before high school days. As a youngster she attended the prestigious Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama and in her teens became a lead member of NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) and the National Youth Music Theatre. Accomplished on flute, bassoon and clarinet as well as sax, she now teaches her own students to a high level whilst pursuing her performing career with the Hannah Horton Quartet in London and the South East.
Hannah HortonHannah Horton
Defying categorisation, Hannah’s music spans jazz, latin, funk, blues and rock along with classical influences. Her unique tone, melodic and creative improvisation, and sensitive phrasing have become her signature sound which is beautifully captured in her debut album Forget Me Not (released October 2012). Featuring the formidable talents of John Crawford (piano), Rob Statham (bass) and Nic France (drums), the album includes her own compositions, an original take on jazz standards such as Caravan, and some lesser known pieces.
Hannah Horton
Hannah played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger OdellSimon BrownBernie HodgkinsLarraine OdellSimon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Larraine Odell and Roger Odell
During the interval we had our traditional raffle with three jazz CD’s
Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins, Hannah Horton and Roger Odell
On Sunday 21st April we will feature – RENATO D’AIELLO
“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 a poetic imagination.” John Fordham, The Guardian,
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
From relatively humble beginnings growing up in East London music has enabled Pete Neighbour to travel and perform extensively. Concert and guest appearances on land have taken him all over Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. In more recent years he has carved a niche for himself being one of very few jazz musicians to reach a wider audience by performing as a Headline Guest Entertainer on luxury cruise ships; thus enabling him to travel to some far flung corners of the world… Japan, Iceland, The Falkland Islands (some six times!) and even Antarctica to name a few. His act, when on cruise ships, focuses particularly on the ‘swing era’. The music and stories from that era never fail to ensure an enthralling evening’s entertainment.
Pete Neighbour
His love of jazz was nurtured from an early age and the complexities of improvisation became a challenge to be conquered… a challenge which excites him as much today as it did in those formative years.
He is also still very much involved with corporate work, private functions, jazz festivals, master classes and recordings. Awards and accolades range from winning ‘most promising saxophonist’ at age 18 at a competition in London organised by ‘Jazz Journal’ magazine to being recently awarded the ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award by the six star luxury cruise line ‘Silversea’, with whom Pete has had a long and successful relationship. He is constantly in demand in a variety of settings and has performed at private parties for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Highgrove House as well as at house parties for Sir Michael Caine and Mick Jagger. He is repeatedly in attendance at many high profile corporate and showbusiness events. His performances have included venues as diverse as The Royal Festival Hall in London, The Lincoln Centre in New York, functions for the New York Historical Society, corporate events on board the ‘Orient Express’, parties at the Cannes Film Festival, in French Chateaux, The House of Lords in London, and Scottish Baronial castles.
Over the years he has performed with many great names from both the British and American jazz scenes ranging, stylistically from Al Casey (who performed regularly with ‘Fats’ Waller) to modern jazz names such as John Critchenson and the late Martin Drew. He is proud to have played regularly alongside such musical luminaries as Warren Vache, Doc Cheatham, Wild Bill Davidson, Max Kaminsky, Scott Hamilton, George Chisolm, Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilk. He has appeared as a guest artiste or leading his own band in jazz clubs in many cities from his native London to Paris, New York, New Orleans, Zurich, Rome, Singapore and Sydney…and many places in between.
Pete Neighbour
Pete is proud to an official endorser of the Conn-Selmer product. He plays Selmer instruments exclusively. His primary clarinet for performances and studio work is a relatively new Selmer Saint Louis. He is also the proud owner of two late model Selmer Mk VI saxophones; alto and tenor.
When spending time at his adopted home in South Carolina he enjoys being involved in the local thriving music scene. He is particularly grateful to Doctor Gordon (Dick) Goodwin, Emitrius Professor of composition at the University of South Carolina, who has written several arrangements for Pete. Furthermore, Pete has recorded and performed on numerous occasions with South Carolina saxophonist and bandleader Skipp Pearson. Skipp has been recognized by the State of South Carolina as its official “Ambassador of Jazz”.
Ted Beament, Bernie Hodgkins, Pete Neighbour and Roger Odell
There are currently three albums available under the leadership of Pete Neighbour. The latest, “Back in the Neighbourhood” was recorded, as the title suggests, back in London in September of 2014. It was released in early 2015 to very favourable reviews. It features some old friends of Pete and who are some of the finest players currently performing on the British and European jazz scene. Two other albums, “Friends & Neighbour” and “It’s Alright With Me” are also availble – see the ‘CD’ page for sound clips and details on how to purchase. Downloads are also availble via iTunes, amazon.com and cdbaby.com.
With his hectic travel and touring schedule, Pete’s time at home in South Carolina is precious; it is invariably spent in the company of his wife, Vickie, catching up with friends and eating fine food (usually cooked by Vickie…) and drinking fine wines (usually chosen by Pete!)
Pete Neighbour played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger OdellTed BeamentBernie Hodgkins
With vocals from Larraine Odell
Larraine Odell
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 Geoff Harrriman playing his harmonica and vocals from Carol Bleiker:
Geoff HarrimanCarl Bleiker Ted Beament, Bernie Hodgins, Pete Neighbour and Roger Odell
Jazznights will have Hannah Horton (sax) at Jazznights (sax) on Sunday 7th April 2019
A natural born improviser from an early age, Hannah has played the saxophone since before high school days. As a youngster she attended the prestigious Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama and in her teens became a lead member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Now her hallmark velvet tone and versatility are attracting growing audience
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Moreopinions's Blog at Jazznights 