THREE OF THE BEST FOR YOUR AUTUMN ENJOYMENT
This quarter's new releases come from three of the best bands on the current jazz scene.
PKCD-327 The Red Wing Band with Brian Carrick "Tour of England 2007"
A live recording by this superb Swedish band with their guest Brian Carrick.
PKCD-328 Richard Leach's 7 Stars of Jazz "Classic Welsh"
The latest, and possibly the best recording by Richard Leach's fine band.
PKCD-329 The John Maddocks Jazzmen "Small Change"
Marvelloous new CD by John's exciting band - probably their best yet.
(Full details of these new CDs are given on the "New Releases" Page)
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BUDE 2008
Back in 1988 Eleanor and I went to the very first Bude Jazz Festival (hard to believe that we were then in our mid 40s!). It was our first jazz festival and we had litle idea of what to expect, but we soon became hooked on Bude and I am now one of a fairly small band of fans who have been to every single Bude Festival.
Ann and I have just returned from the 21st Bude Jazz Festival. It lived up to our expectaions with some excellent bands, and of course a great atmosphere with so many good friends o meet and chat to.
The standard of traditional jazz in Britain must be as good as, or better than, any in the world. An American friend who we met in Bude said that her father, who new many of the old-timers in the States, reckoned that the best of the presen day British bands are better than many of the American bands whom we look up to as idols!
I won't bore you with a list of all the bands we saw; highlights for me included Dennis Armstrong's Oliver Band - playin better than ever; Norman THAtcher's New Orleans Hula - a refreshing new approach to the music; and Derek Winters' Winter Sunshine - and international band playing old-time New Orleans dance music.
I recorded three bands - Maddocks Huxley Reeds United, Winter Sunshine and Amy Roberts Gentlemen of Jazz
Reeds United need no introduction. It's six years since their last CD (Bude 2002) and I very much hope this latest recording will be as good.
Derek Winters plays mostly in Europe and was asked to bring an international band to Bude. I thought the result was sensational - some of the best N.O.-style jazz I've heard in a long time.
Amy Roberts is a young and very talented reeds player. I first saw her about three years ago and was impressed by her technique, but I thought then her playing lacked originality and inventiveness. Seeing her again at Bude this year was a revelation. Here in Britain we have many superb young jazz musicians such as James Evans, Jonny Boston, Ben CUMmings, Graham Hughes and others. Amy Roberts in my opinion now ranks among the best of these young stars.
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LOOKING AHEAD
I still have quite a back-log of recorded material which will be released over the next six months or so. I am booked to record The Storyville Allstars in October. They are an excellent band based in Dundee - that will be the furthest North I will have recorded. Plans are in hand for new recordings by The Millenium Eagle Jazz Band and Dennis Armstrong's Oliver Band.
The next crop of new releases in early December will (if all goes to plan) be Brian Carrick's Algiers Stompers recorded live in the church at Ottery St Mary, Martin Bennett's Old Green River Band and John Dunmore's Boogie Band.
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