March

I am glad to say that there are several attractions for us jazz fans this month

Friday 3rd sees UK’s international jazz vocalist Ian Shaw as the star guest of Jazz In Reading at Progress Theatre. Ian is rated up there with Kurt Elling and the late Mark Murphy in the world of jazz singers. He interprets many genres of songs and gives them a unique jazz tinged flavour as well as airing the usual standards. I have seen Ian several times and his performance is usually laced with sharp, witty, and satirical observations on life in general and current affairs, adding spice to what is always an exciting evening of musicianship. Ian is accompanied by Jamie Safir on keyboard, whom I saw recently and really enjoyed at Southport Jazz Festival, “On A Winter’s Weekend” and renowned bassist Mick Hutton.

Ever popular trumpet supremo Steve Waterman, guests with the Simon Cook Trio at Bracknell Jazz, on Friday 10th  and should pull in another full house at this monthly gig, which is proving a real hit with jazz fans. Book early.

Two robust tenor players appear at Jagz in Ascot for the monthly Sunday lunch time extravaganza on the 12th: Alex Garnett and Ray Gelato, billed as Tough Tenors. Not tough to listen to I know and if you like bebop, these are the guys. However, they can be tender as well as tough. So expect an eventful couple of hours with a feisty quintet. The roast is pretty good too!

Loose Tubes, the anarchic, yet not, big band of the 80’s spawned many stars of today like Julian Arguelles, Django Bates, Martin France, Chris Batchelor and reeds man Ian Bellamy who is appearing for Fleet Jazz on the 21st. With whom I know not, but you can bet it will be a quality band delivering original compositions of involving contemporary jazz.

I have to give you notice of an April gig, as it should be a sell out. On April 7th Jazz In Reading at Progress presents Arnie Somogyi’s Jump Monk Band. This is in fact Mingus and Monk jazz. Not enough Mingus is performed on the circuit in my opinion and the two iconic composers, from what many may call the golden era of modern jazz, will get inspired interpretation from a tremendous line up. With Arnie, are Tony Kofi-sax, Clark Tracey-drums, Mark Edwards-keys and Jeremy Price-trombone. Make no mistake, this is some line-up.

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

I hope that you may enjoy some, if not all, of these gigs.

Bob

Jazz n Stuff