May
A perfectly formed set of gigs to tickle the groove nerve this month.
Goring Jazz Club’s gig on Friday 13th May with a brilliant line up of Art Themen-sax, Jim Mullen -guitar, Lianne Carrol-piano/vocals, Winston Clifford-drums and Roger Carey-bass.
A new band to me performs at The Retreat in reading on the 14th May. Gli Avanzi, Italian for “left overs”; the band members are; Lorenzo Todorow- tenor, Martin Dix -guitar, Chris Wagstaff- trumpet, Esther Ng -bass, Andrew Last -drums. Give them a whirl – it is free!
Hop over to Hampshire on the 17th as Fleet Jazz Club welcomes Alison Neal-reeds and Matt Steele-vibes with the driving rhythm section of Leon Greening-piano, Steve Smith-drums and Marianne Windham on bass. Another terrific band.
On the 22nd Jagz in Ascot continues it’s now successful Sunday monthly lunch gigs. This time featuring UK’s giant of the tenor, Don Weller with other UK scene favourites, John Donaldson-piano, Andy Cleyndert-bass and Dave Barry-drums. Don did a great gig at Progress last year and is still blowing with passion and experience of his many years on the scene.
The team at Jazz in Reading have been itching to have a big band at Progress and now at last on the 27th they can scratch it. The Scott Willcox Big Band is a 10 piece outfit performing Wilcox originals, influenced by the great arranger/composer George Russel. With the likes of Gabriel Garrick-trpt, Tony Woods-sax, Ben Hazelton-bass on board, you can expect an exciting evening. Let’s hope the roof stays on.
Also on Friday the 27th in Maidenhead, we have Reading bred sax star Simon Allen at Norden Farm leading an interesting band with a couple of guys I have not seen on the local patch before; Malcom Edmonstone-piano and Mike Soper -trpt and flugelhorn. Plus the ever popular Clark Tracey-drums, Andy Crowdy-bass.
Finally, it is good news that The Angel at Woolhampton has reopened and on Saturday 28th offers a dinner jazz package. Local musicians provide the entertainment as the Judy Vaughan Quartet. Go on, treat yourself and support this initiative.
You can find all these events listed on the gig’s calendar with links to the venues for tickets and more details.
Stay cool,
Bob
Jazz n Stuff
