Peter Burton's daily log, covering Peter's personal interests, e.g. jazz, travel and general grumpiness plus (occasionally) the business of Isomatic and its associate companies.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Apex Jazz Band with dancing
On Monday night we saw the Apex Jazz Band at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band had the standard personnel, comprising Tony Nutt (cornet), Peter Minett (soprano and alto sax), Clive Burton (trombone), Terry Twiss (guitar, banjo, vocals), Bert Shipp (bass guitar and vocals) and Ian Parry on drums. They played so many good numbers that I had to make a list of favourites:
'Am I Blue' with vocal by Terry
'Yellow Dog Blues' to which Selina and I danced (me still wearing safety boots)
'If I Had You'; another of Terry's great vocals
'Blue Moon'; Clive's trombone feature with us dancing (me in socks now)
'I'm in the Market for You'; Peter's soprano feature
'Sunny Side of the Street' with vocal by Bert
'Melancholy Blues' with vocal by Terry
'Shimmy Like my Sister Kate'; vocal duet by Bert and Terry.
Towards the end we were treated to dancing from another couple; Jim Buck and Aileen May, without her string bass.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, February 26, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Dave Alison
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The quintet comprised Alan Brock (trumpet and vocals) Ray Poole (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass), Eddie Kettle (drums) and special guest Dave Alison (baritone sax and clarinet, pictured). The guests from the audience were Colin Lewry (keyboard), John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), Trevor (tenor sax), Roy Stokes, Peter Talent and Peter Clancy (slide trombone). Our favourite number was 'Willow Weep for Me', which Alan always plays well.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Wedding followed by Gatsby Jazz Band
Saturday afternoon was the wedding of my sister's daughter Erin at
The Marks Tey Hotel in Essex; a good venue. Pictures show bride and groom, bride's father and bride's mother. We sat with a crowd that we have not seen for 39 years, including Reg, who was at school with me !
On Saturday evening we went to
The Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston Upon Thames, for the monthly performance by the Gatsby Jazz Band. Our favourite number was an unusual up-tempo version of 'pallet on the Floor'.
Labels: Family, Jazz
Friday, February 23, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Dick Charlesworth, Dave Hewett and Johnny McCallum
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to see and hear
The Magna jazz band. The three excellent deputies (pictured) were Dick Charlesworth (clarinet and tenor sax), Dave Hewett (slide trombone and baritone horn) and Johnny McCallum (guitar). In the absence of Brian White, the band was led by Pete Towndrow who not only plays great cornet and trumpet but has a good jazz voice. His vocal on 'Smiles' brought a standing ovation from the audience. Other highlights were 'Some of these days' from Dave, Dick's vocal on 'Save the bones for Henry Jones' and my request for 'Samba de Una Nota So' featuring Pete on cornet with Rex Bennet providing the latin beat on drums. This is the second track from my 1960's Charlie Byrd record for which my request has been granted. The trick is to ask when Pete is in charge.
The other picture is of Sylvia Hewett, a regular reader of this weblog, to show she looks better than she imagines.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Ian Cruickshank's Gypsy Jazz
On Monday evening at
The Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking, we saw
Ian Cruickshank's Gypsy Jazz. Fantasic guitar playing by Ian Cruickshank and John Coverdale with the great Peter Morgan on bass. It is hard to pick a highlight from such a fine evening of jazz but we will go for the final number 'Dark Eyes' an old favourite of Ian's.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, February 19, 2007
Peter Katin at the Wigmore Hall
On Sunday evening we saw
Peter Katin giving a piano recital at the
Wigmore Hall. He played an all Chopin programme; very enjoyable. It was particularly pleasing to see so many young people in the audience to see such a 'mature' performer.
Labels: Concerts
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Queen, as portrayed by Helen Mirren
On Saturday evening we went to Guildford's Odeon cinema to see the film
The Queen. Helen Mirren's performance is as deserving of an Oscar as is that of Judi Dench in 'Notes on a Scandal'. The supporting cast also deserves praise, particularly Michael Sheen as Tony Blair and Mark Blazely as Alastair Campbell. The voices were so perfect that closing ones eyes gave an image of the real person.
Labels: Film
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Archduke Restaurant on the South Bank
On Friday evening we ate at
The Archduke Restaurant on London's South Bank. Good food and wine and the presto menue for pre-concert or theatre diners is low price by London standards. There is also a popular bar downstairs that features jazz Monday to Saturday. The only downside is the noise.
Labels: Eating out
Friday, February 16, 2007
AHC Camberley for nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
On Wednesday in Berkshire we desperately needed some screws of a particular gauge and length so, rather than waste time trying local modern useless shops we drove to our favourite old-fashioned supplier
AHC in Camberley. We bought 100 of the precise part for just 2.5 pounds. This shop has NEVER failed us.
Labels: Shops
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with John China
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band is resident. There was just one dep.; John China (keyboard, pictured) who, in addition to being a fine pianist, has a great jazz voice. He sang three numbers of which the best was probably 'Pennies from Heaven'.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Panama Cafe Orchestra at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet), Richard White (clarinet, alto sax), Chris Lowe (trombone), Mike Gibbons (drums), Chris Houslander (sousaphone) and Dave Griffiths (banjo). They are varying the numbers much more than when we first saw them, with a different programme each time. Our favourite number, to which Selina and I danced, was 'Cloudy' with a great vocal from Chris. Not a number we remember hearing before.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, February 12, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Clive Burton
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The quintet comprised Alan Brock (trumpet and vocals) Roger Limb (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass), Eddie Kettle (drums) and special guest Clive Burton (trombone). The guests from the audience were Colin Lewry (keyboard), John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), Aileen May (string bass), Roy Stokes, Peter Talent and Peter Clancy (slide trombone). Clive played some notable solos, e.g. on 'It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing' but our favourite number, to which we danced, was 'I can't get started'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Hurtwood Inn at Peaslake, Surrey
For Sunday lunch we drove to
Peaslake, a beautiful Surrey village. It is a real village, not just a hamlet, with its own village stores. We ate and drank at the Hurtwood Inn, which serves a range of local real ales. We chose the salmon, which was excellent, and I drank the local 'Shere Drop' bitter. Selina pronounced her dry white wine 'superb'. The pictures show the Inn and the surrounding village centre from a previous visit.
Labels: Eating out
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Film; Music and Lyrics
This evening we went to Guildford's Odeon cinema to see the film
Music and Lyrics. We were inspired by seeing Hugh Grant in the two Bridget Jones films, which were only funny when he was on screen. This latest film is in the same mould. The supporting cast are, well, supporting. Hugh Grant is a very good actor; playing the funny man in most films but still being capable of more serious roles, e.g 'Bitter Moon', 'An Awfully Big Adventure', 'About a Boy' and 'Sirens'.
Labels: Film
Friday, February 09, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Dave Herridge
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band is resident. There was just one dep.; Dave Herridge (keyboard, pictured) who, when asked to choose a slow number, made the excellent choice of 'A Hundred years from today'. The number featuring him was the equally great 'Gin Mill Blues'.
We showed Ken Ames' old pictures of 'The Merrie Men' to musicians who knew many of them. They too could not recognise Goff Dubber or Tony Pyke in younger days !
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Beware the A30 in Cornwall
Despite slowing for every speed camera I am to be fined 60 pounds for exceeding 70 MPH on the Launceston bypass on a Sunday morning in good weather with no traffic. The notice states 'manned camera' so I assume it was a well-concealed police officer. Be warned !
Labels: Travel
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Phil Brown Swingtet at the Cricks
On Monday evening we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. It was the full band with no deps., the front line comprising Phil Brown (trombone and vocals), Lester Brown (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Mark Aston (tenor sax, clarinet) with the rhythm section of Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Ken Ames (guitar), Mike Bennett (bass) and David Clancy (drums). Guests were Peter Clancy (trombone), Colin Lewry and Ray Poole (keyboard) and Francis Crispet (alto sax). Highlight for us was Mark playing our request 'Girl from Ipanema'. This is the second night in succession that we have requested a Stan Getz / Charlie Byrd number from the Bossa Nova era. Two down, two to go: 'Desafinado' and 'One Note Samba'.
The party for which Ken Ames is wanted is in a street in Brighton on 14 July; perhaps we should arrange to be there.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, February 05, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Mark Aston & Ken Ames
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The quintet was mostly deps, comprising Alan Brock (trumpet and vocals) Mark Aston (Tenor sax & clarinet), Ken Ames (Guitar), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Eddie Kettle (drums). The guests from the audience were John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), John Parsons (clarinet) and Peter Clancy (slide trombone).
Highlights were as follows:
'Carnaval' featuring Mark and Ken (pictured); requested by Mike with strong support from us
'Undecided' with great trumpet praying from Alan (pictured)
'St Thomas' John Shepherd and Mark with fine drumming from Eddie
'The Nearness of You' to which Selina and I danced, to the amusement of the young, pretty, new barmaid.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Notes on a Scandal
On Saturday evening we went to the Guildford Odeon cinema to see
Notes on a Scandal. A fine, thought-provoking, film with great acting by Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, etc. We emerged from the cinema asking ourselves:
Is sex between a female teacher and her pupil a crime or just a misdemeanour ?
Why should the pupil's mother show such violent outrage ?
Labels: Film
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Yet another Ken Ames fan
Today I received an e-mail from a woman asking for contact details for Ken Ames in order to ask him to play guitar for a party. She said she knew him from a few years back. Knowing that Ken lives in Kingston, I was able to find a telephone number for a K Ames via the BT web site. I telephoned, asking if I was speaking to the great jazz guitarist, but he modestly refused to acknowledge that fact. However, he did remember the woman in question and promised to bring a photograph of her to the Europa tomorrow. I have passed on the telephone number and e-mail address so hope to hear more about this private gig in future.
This is the second time this weblog has brought jazz musician and old friend together. I suppose this is nothing compared with the Danish guy who received an e-mail from a 37-year old woman asking if he could possibly be her father. He was, and when he met her he found she was the daughter of which any father would be proud. He is now deeply ashamed that he refused to acknowledge paternity after she was conceived.
Labels: Internet, Jazz
Friday, February 02, 2007
Magna Jazz Band; Pete Towndrow, Vocalist
On Thursday evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton for the weekly Magna Jazz Band gig to find that it was the full band with no deps for the second week in succession. Highlights for us were:
'I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter', with a great Pete Towndrow vocal (as in picture)
Alan Dandy's piano solo version of 'Moonglow'
The ensemble playing in 'Dippermouth Blues'.
This is a great band with no serious weaknesses.
Labels: Jazz
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