Nick Page – one of the the UK’s finest guitarists made a welcome return to Jazznights at Clare on Sunday 7th August 2011

(Click on images for larger pictures)

Jazznights@The Bell’s first August guest was Nick Page (guitar), accompanied by the Jazznights Trio.

This great guitarist made a welcome return to The Bell.
"Nick Page is without doubt the most underrated Jazz Guitarist in the UK – an undiscovered gem of the British Jazz scene. He is extremely talented, versatile and inspirational" – Alan Skidmore. "Kessel and Burrell would have relished his inventive lines" – Jazzwise.

Quotes ;
"Pages future must be Golden"
Jazz Journal International

"I’m ashamed to say I had never heard of the great British Guitarist Nick Page. He’s World Class,and his songs sound straight out of the Great American Songbook"
Just Jazz Guitar,New York

"Nick Page is without doubt the most underrated Jazz Guitarist in the UK.An undiscovered gem of the British Jazz scene.He is extremely talented,versatile and inspirational.I Love working with Nick"
Alan Skidmore

The Jazznights Trio were the A Team:with 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 – 5 String 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. Tonight Bernie was playing his his 5 string double  bass
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

Our MC’s for the evening were the articulate and very jazz knowledgeable Donald Muir

Larraine Odell our lovely resident songbird opened the evening with her ½-hour set of great vocals all with new arrangements by Roger Odell.

I. I Love Being Here With You with words and music by Peggy Lee and William Schluger. This was first recorded by Peggy Lee in 1961 and Larraine brought this right up to date.
2. Once I Loved – (also known as  Amor em Paz – the 1963 Bossa Nova tune with Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Lyrics by Vinicius De Moraes and Ray Gilbert. A lovely song beautifully sung by Larraine
3. Wait till You See Her – The music was written by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Lorenz Hart and was published in 1942. The song was introduced in the musical play, By Jupiter. Ella Fitzgerald recorded it on her 1956 Verve release: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook. The song was featured in 1967 TV special: Movin’ With Nancy, starring Nancy Sinatra. This was sung as a ballad in double time.

4. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was was also written by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Lorenz Hart and was published in 1939. 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.Tonight Larraine sang this in up tempo mode.

5. Mad About the Boy is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Sir Noël Coward tonight sunag and played as a samba.The song deals with the theme of unrequited love for a film star, and while it was written to be sung by female characters, Coward also wrote a version which contained references to the then risqué topic of homosexual love. It was introduced in the 1932 revue Words and Music by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare. The song gained new popularity in 1992 when Dinah Washington’s rendition was used in the Levi’s television advertisement "Swimmer", directed by Tarsem Singh.

Nick Page (sporting a new short haircut – clippers £5.00 from Argus!) opened his first set of the evening with the medium tempo How High The Moon at a medium tempo. On February 8, 1940, Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock introduced “How High the Moon” during the Broadway revue Two for the Show. The musical would run at the Booth Theatre for 124 performances. An instant hit, Benny Goodman’s recording of “How High the Moon,” featuring vocalist Helen Forrest, entered the pop charts a few weeks after the show opened, rising to number six.

The medium tempo 1947 Robbins’ Nest was written by tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet and pianist Sir Charles Thompson, and they recorded the piece in May of 1947. It was subsequently recorded by many artists, including the orchestras of Claude Thornhill and Count Basie. Another version was waxed by the excellent Sam Donahue Orchestra, and this record was as close to a hit as Donahue had; Donahue was still playing it on the road with his orchestra ten years later.
(Robbins’ Nest was named after the radio program of the same name hosted by well-known media personality Fred Robbins (1919-1992) in
New York City, heard on various stations over the years. Robbins was all over radio and television as a variety show and quiz show host, actor,
and writer. In 1947, he was primarily known as a modern jazz DJ, and the newest records were heard on his program.)

The 1935 I Loves You Porgy from the Gershwin folk opera Porgy and Bess. This was based on a 1926 novel Porgy written by a white poet from South Carolina, DuBose Heyward, who, with his wife Dorothy, adapted the novel for a play which had a successful run in 1927. The story centres on a disabled black man Porgy, the woman he loves Bess, her lover Crown, and a drug dealer Sportin’ Life. (Undoubtedly one of the most famous recordings of “I Loves You Porgy” is that of trumpeter Miles Davis. Not only is it memorable for his beautiful playing but for the lush arrangement of the talented Gil Evans but Nick Page’s version would take a lot of beating with a tender and beautiful display of musicianship. This number was combined with the Cole Porter You’d Be So Easy to Love. A great ending to the first set.

Following the raffle ( 2 jazz CD’s and a bottle of Merlot)  we had the traditional sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an  opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio. Tonight we had Will Jarmin on drums and Geoff Harriman on Harmonica playing an up-tempo version of Hoagy Carmichael’s 1938 Two Sleepy People

Nick Page then returned with Will Jarmin on drums for his first number, followed of course by Roger Odell for the rest of the set. The playlist for the second set was:

Black Orpheus  which is a 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus. It is based on the play Orfeu da Conceição by Vinicius de Moraes, set in the modern context of a favela in Rio de Janeiro during the Carnaval. The film is particularly renowned for its soundtrack by two Brazilian composers: Antônio Carlos Jobim, whose song "A felicidade" opens the film; and Luiz Bonfá, whose "Manhã de Carnaval" and "Samba of Orpheus" have become bossa nova classics.

That Old Feeling 1937 music by Sammy Fain played at a medium tempo

Cole Porter’s 1930 What Is This Thing Called Love? with its innovative alternating major and minor key changes came next as an up-tempo version

A slow tempo Imagination by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke followed (The Dorsey/Sinatra version of “Imagination” was one of four renditions to make the popular song chart in 1940.)

Blue  Pearl followed which was written by Bud Powell who was aruably who has been described as one of "the two most significant pianists of the style of modern jazz that came to be known as bop", the other being his friend and contemporary Thelonious Monk.

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free is a song written by Billy Taylor & Dick Dallas. Originally recorded by Nina Simone in 1967 on her Silk & Soul album. Billy Taylor’s own version (as "I Wish I Knew") was recorded November 12, 1963 and released on his Right Here, Right Now album (Capitol ST-2039) the year after. His 1967 instrumental take was later used as the theme music for The Film programme on BBC television ended the evening to rapturous applause.

This wonderful evening of great interplay and camaraderie between Nick Page and the Roger Odell trio was something to behold. Apart from music his music being "World Class" Nick is a gentleman with a dry sense of humour who introduces his music with great panache and interacts the audience.

For further information and forthcoming 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

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

View Full Album

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

Mick Hanson is one of the UK’s leading exponents of jazz guitar and will be at Jazznights in Clare, Suffolk Sunday 13th June

Mick Hanson will be appearing at The Bell Hotel, Clare, Suffolk 13 June 2010 from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Formerly from the local area, Mick moved on to establish himself as one of the major players on the UK jazz guitar scene with his duo performances with Dave Newton and in the trio Organic Matters. His forte is hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz with a contemporary Blue Note school approach.

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.

Mick will be accompanied by the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio. Larraine Odell will open the gig with her 30-minute set of vocal standards. The mid-evening sitting-in spot is open to all.

Admission: £7 (£4 students) Ticket sales: At the door.
There is a special rate of £45 per room for those wishing to stay over for the night (excludes Bank Holiday weekends) and excellent food is available – order at the downstairs bar and it can be delivered to your table.

If you wish to reserve seating for the jazz call 01787 237653 and your table will be held until 8.00pm.

Unfortunately we will be away again and unable to attend this gig. If any one  would like to send us any notes or reviews on the gig, it would be appreciated. Email dancerp@gmail.com

For further details go to www.jazz-nights.com

Rebop at Jazznights at The Bell 18th April 2010

Flickr Tags: Jazznights,Rebop

A welcome return by this popular repertory band featuring a new program of compositions by Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Oliver Nelson and others as well as their bebop classics. They feature a hard-hitting front line of Paul Higgs (trp), Kevin Flanagan (alto) and Colin Watling (ten).

Rebop is a jazz repertory aggregation specialising in the arcane art of bebop and related music. Formed originally as a quintet to examine the repertoire of the modern jazz explosion circa 1944-1949, Rebop is now a six-piece and also features a faithful homage to the Miles Davis Sextet of 1958-59.

Band Members
Kevin Flanagan – alto saxophone; Paul Higgs – trumpet; Colin Watling – tenor saxophone; Chris Ingham – piano; Andrew J. Brown – bass; Roger Odell – drums

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A personal favourite opened the first set, the 1947 Green Dolphin street with intro from Chris Ingham on piano and joined Andrew Brown on bass and Roger on drums. Paul Higgs on trumpet opened for the front line followed by Colin Watling on Tenor and Kevin Flanagan – a great start to the first set. Crazeology written by Benny Harris for Charlie Parker (a tune based on Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm) followed.

John Lewis’s 1947 Milestones with its convoluted chord changes and so many harmonic bottlenecks was played with great panache and duly received a great reception from the full house audience. Miles Davis’s Donna Lee with its legendary difficult chord changes was interestingly introduced by a short traditional version of Indiana on which Donna Lee was based featured high speed four bar breaks between the front line and Roger on drums. In total contrast, the technical mastery of Chris Ingham was featured on Vernon Duke’s Autumn In New York as well as Kevin Flanagan playing the Charlie Parker part of his version.

The last number of the first set was Miles Davis’s version Seven Steps To Heaven written by Victor Feldman although he never played with Miles. Apparently he was offered a post with the Miles band but declined as he was making too much money at the time as a session musician!!!

The second set opened from the Kind Of Blue album followed by Duke Pearson’s melodic classic from the Cannonball Adderley album: Them Dirty Blues. The Rodgers and Hart ballad My Funny Valentine featured a wonderful solo by Paul Higgs on trumpet playing the Miles Davis part. A Charlie Parker swing blues was followed by Flamenco Sketches which is a series of five scales, each to be played for as long as the soloist wishes until he has completed the series. Chris Ingham referred to it as a “meditatively mature” number. A superb showcase for the Rebop front line.

Details and future gigs at www.jazz-nights.com

Laura Zakian at Jazznights – The Bell Hotel, Clare, Suffolk 21st March

In 2004 Laura released ‘Just One of Those Things’ which received airplay on Michael Parkinson’s Radio Two show and caused JAZZ WISE to comment "Zakian swings effortlessly, combines a lightness of touch with a deep reservoir of power and control." She did exactly that – a wonderful evening. She was accompanied the Jazznights trio: Roger Odell on drums, Simon Brown on keys and Bernie Hodgkins on his 5 string double bass

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The evening started with the resident songbird Larraine Odell opening with an up tempo version of the Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen It Could Happen To You. This was followed by Burt Bacharach’s Alfie – a very tender version with a great arrangement by Roger Odell. Taking a chance On love withy alternating 12 bar breaks between Roger on drums and Bernie on Bass. Invitation (not the Shakatak version) was then followed by a final great song by Jerome Kern: Yesterdays arranged by Roger Odell with a drum and bass intro.

Laura opened her set with They Say it’s Spring from her latest album About Love featuring a bass solo from Bernie. Day In Day Out was then followed by My One And Only Love by Guy Wood · Robert Mellin. This had a superb A Cappella opening by Laura which finished with a bass solo. The Lady’s In Love With You was an up-tempo number featuring Roger on drums. September In The Rain ended the first set which was to me the highlight of the set.

Following the other highlight: the Jazznights raffle the second set began with the traditional sitting in spot which gives a unique chance to play or sing with the trio,. The first up was an outstanding Night In Tunisia by Steve Laws on Alto.Our third vocalist of the evening was Karen Davies with a sultry version of Love Me Or Leave Me. Geoff Harriman ended this spot with Misty on his harmonica.

Laura commenced the second set with Like Someone In Love which featured solos by Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins and Roger Odell, this was followed by a very touching and magical Rodgers & Hart’s My Romance. Rogers & Hammerstein’s The Gentleman Is A Dope from her latest album About Love was a very individual performance by Laura. Lara’s words “a dinky little tune” No love No nothing which was sung by Rosemary Clooney. A very fine Devil May Care showed Laura’s ‘fantasy life’!.

A bass solo by Bernie introduced Honeysuckle Rose which continued with just the two of them (did Roger & Simon find there way to the bar!). This extraordinary session finished with a rousing but far too short Nobody Else But Me.

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