Dave's Jazz Notes for March 2024
Good Afternoon Everyone
It’s your indefatigable Jazz correspondent back again!
February’s Jazz events in Wantage were a delight.
On the 15th we welcomed Pete Lay’s Gambit Jazzmen back to Zelda’s Jazz Room.
Pete himself is a master of some rare skills - remaining unobtrusively supportive of his musicians, relaxed yet driving, and swinging all the while. Pretty well perfect New Orleans-style drumming.
With him were Alan Gresty, cornet (I’m playing with him with the French Quarter Band in Colchester this Sunday – I always enjoy those gigs.) John Maddocks, clarinet & sax, and Ian McAulay, trombone, Andy Maynard, banjo and guitar and Jim Swinnerton playing superb double bass – what more could you ask for?! We were well attended, so thanks to all of you for your continued support.
In March (21st) we have another band led by a drummer, this time the splendid Graham Smith with his Jazz All Sorts will include top Midlands players such as Tony Pipkin, trumpet, Zoltan Sagi, (a terrific clarinet and sax player), fine multi-instrumentalist Dave Deakin, here on trombone with Richard Hughes on piano and Simon Smith on double bass. I think we’re in for another treat – not to be missed if you can possibly help it!
And what of Jazz at the Lamb? A goodly crowd of you were there, eager to see Lizzie Newbery singing with the Rascals and no one was disappointed. She was on sparkling form, her ebullient personality shining through everything, if anything more adventurous than ever. Of course that sort of performance gets the best out of the Rascals too, the ever-creative pairing of Mike Wills and Tony Blincowe, our new pianist Andrew Clancy and that ever reliable bassman, Mike Bennett not to mention a certain guitarist who enjoys himself greatly in such exalted company!
The treats keep on coming - March 27th will see us welcoming that special trumpetman, Peter Rudeforth, a guest the Rascals always greatly look forward to working with. He is another of that small group of musicians who seem to delight in being presented with tunes & songs they rarely get a chance to play - it seems to bring out the very best in them.
Do keep supporting the Lamb (as you have for a long time now) We are just about keeping our heads above the financial waterlevel these days and the Lamb and their splendid staff are very supportive of what we do. So keep taking the medicine. We think music, jazz, in particular, is a fantastic pick–you–up. It can only do you good!
All the best - Take Care
Dave & Zelda