October

I cannot believe that it was May when I wrote my last Blog and I was soon to depart on my main summer holiday. When I returned late June, we had seen the demise of the Tory majority and Reading East returned to Labour. The fun has not stopped in that regard. There were some very good gigs during the summer, but the scene was quieter than previous years over the summer months and into September. Now things are hotting up.

We must welcome ace guitar veteran Jim Mullen at Norden Farm, Maidenhead. Jim was very ill at the turn of the year and could not perform for several months, but he now back on the road and in good company on the 20th.

The London Jazz Festival arrives in November, but we have an exciting festival nearer to hand this month: The Guildford Jazz Festival runs over a weekend from the 20th until late on the 22nd over several venues in the town. I do not recall this festival in previous years and have not even read anything about it in the media. Curated by Denis Rollins of funky trombone and community events renown, there is a plethora of names and styles to entice you from the comfort of your hearths. To name a few; Ruby Turner, Sax Appeal in big band and combo format, Joe Stilgo, Clare Teal, Mica Paris, Byron Wallen, Martin Shaw, Courtney Pine, Soweto Kinch, Jazz Jamaica. There are many others and also some interesting projects. A must for serious jazz fans.

Jagz in Ascot hosts the monthly Sunday lunch gigs over the Autumn Winter and Spring and a regular is Ex Pat Benn Clatworthy who visits annually from Los Angeles. He appears on the 22nd and never fails to dig deep on his tenor, makes the standards fresh and his originals sparkle.

Jazz In Reading at Progress Theatre has a couple of “Tough Tenors” lined up in the shape Alex Garnett and Ray Gelato with their gang of outstanding musicians. I saw them at Jagz earlier this year and highly recommend the gig on the 27th.

Local axeman Hugh Turner brings a funky line up to The Global Cafe in Reading on the 28th and you can be sure that the joint will be jumping.

I must sneak in one gig that is happening 3rd November. The NYJO makes their annual appearance at the Kenton Theatre, Henley. I really must try to get to this, as I have as yet to make a gig of theirs, which is a terrible confession.

You can find all these events listed on the gigs calendar with links to the venues for tickets.

My November highlights will definitely appear in a few weeks.

Enjoy live Jazz.

Bob

Jazz n Stuff