Isomatic UK Weblog

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet and vocals), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Don Cook (drums). I managed to get a photograph of the full band for this post, with all four in view.
The numbers we enjoyed most from the quartet were:
'Try a Little Tenderness' by Harry Woods, lyrics by Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly (pseudonym Irving King) and recorded initially on 8 December 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra with vocal by Val Rosing;
'Caravan' by valve trombonist Juan Tizol and first performed by him playing with the Duke Ellington band in 1937.
Caravan was requested by a young mother, who just wrote a choice of two numbers and please on a piece of paper and left it on the table. I demonstrated that one needs to be much more forceful to gain success.
Alan's solo feature was his own boogie-woogie composition 'Down by the River'. Later he duetted with Mick for 'How About You', composed by Burton Lane with lyrics by Ralph Freed and introduced in the 1941 film Babes on Broadway by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Guests were Geoff Cole (trombone), John Shepherd (trumpet) and John Lang (trombone) playing the following four numbers with the full quartet:
'Riverboat Shuffle', by Hoagy Carmichael;
'You Took Advantage of Me', by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Lorenz Hart;
'California Here I Come' by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer, recorded by Al Jolson in 1924 and pub landlord Joe McCann's favourite number;
'Ring Dem Bells' by Duke Ellington.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocal), Mark Aston (tenor sax, alto sax, pictured), Roger Limb (keyboard, pictured enjoying himself), Mike Bennett (bass, vocal) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with the base band were:
'Lover Man' with a great keyboard solo;
'St James Infirmary' with (unusually) a Mike Bennett vocal;
Guests were grouped as follows:
Peter Tallent (trombone) and Roland (tenor sax);
Fred Shaw (cornet), Trevor Dockerill (clarinet) and Roy Stokes (trombone);
Peter Clancy (trombone).
Colin Lewry played keyboard during the breaks, solo for the first then with Peter Clancy (string bass) for the second. Mark joined them for 'Pennies From Heaven'.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet and vocals), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Don Cook (drums). John is pictured wearing a very bright waistcoat featuring cats and singing 'If I Had My Way' in the style of Vera Lynn.

The numbers we enjoyed most were:
'Bluesology' by Milt Jackson (Alan switching his keyboard to vibes mode), reminding us of the 1960s when Jim Douglas always played it as his feature while resident guitarist with Alex Welsh;
'(In My) Solitude' by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills (1934);
Alan's solo features 'Laura', dedicated to his daughter of that name in the audience, then, later, 'Alligator Crawl', which we never tire of hearing.

Guests were John Shepherd and John Lang playing 'That's a Plenty', 'Blue Turning Grey', 'California Here I Come' and 'Ring Dem Bells'. The Christmas special number was 'Santa's Back In Town' performed by a toy bear on the saxophone. Alan was reluctant to accompany it, not because it was a bear but because it played in such unfamiliar keys, changing key at least twice.

The Pub Landlord came to the microphone to wish us compliments of the season and encourage us to return for more jazz in future. Now this would never happen at the Cricketers.

As we left, Selina, wearing her pink mini-skirt, had to squeeze past the other guy seated at our table. As her legs passed his face, he commented to me "at least YOU will have something good in the Christmas Stocking !"

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Mike Pointon (trombone, vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers from this line-up were:
'If I had You', composed by Ted Shapiro, the accompanist and music director for Sophie Tucker, with words by Irving King (pseudonym for James Campbell and Reginald Connelly);
'As Long as I Live', composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Ted Koehler;
'Blue and Sentimental' by Mack David, Count Basie and Jerry Livingston;
and, best of all, Alan Dandy's feature 'Alligator Crawl'. There was a lot of noise during this number so to hear it properly I sat on Mike Pointon's chair with Selina on my knee. A comment was made that many of the men there could not do this with their wives; Selina is still slim !

Labels: Jazz

German discount supermarket chain Aldi has now demolished the 'Green Man', a public house since the 16th Century and possibly before, in Burpham, Guildford, where we live. For many months the old pub has been left in an unsightly state, with no roof tiles, presumably to wear down local resistance. We appeal to all Burpham residents to oppose any planning application from this evil company and to make it clear that we will never spend money in any Aldi retail outlet, anywhere, ever. We are British and will never surrender to German efforts to destroy our culture and take money from us in return.

Another aspect is the effect another supermarket would have on the local environment. The 'Green Man' roundabout cannot cope with existing traffic levels; just imagine the impact of all the shoppers driving to and from that very spot. If plans for flats above the shop were to be approved then we would have even more traffic plus the problem of resident and visitor parking. Aldi is not wanted here.

Labels: Grumpy

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for The Magna jazz band Christmas Special, with the standard line-up. The pictures show Richard Lyons (string bass) and Rex Bennett (drums). The special feature for this one evening is the sing-along of many old favourites in succession. Jazz numbers that we particularly enjoyed were:
'Misty Morning', with great cornet, trombone and keyboard solos;
'Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave to Me', at the second attempt due to Pete Towndrow playing 'Strut Miss Lizzy' the first time;
Alan Dandy's great solo feature 'Alligator Crawl' by Fats Waller. Achieving silence was difficult; Brian White asked nicely, whereas I shouted 'Shut Up'.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see John Barnes play baritone sax, alto sax and clarinet (and tell some jokes). He was accompanied by Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Don Cook (drums). We had not been to the G&D since the Dick Charlesworth days so I had forgotten the delights of Shepherd Neame's Master Brew. The jazz was good too,

especially:
'Shreveport Stomp' by Jelly Roll Morton;
'My Foolish Heart' by Victor Young with lyrics by Ned Washington;
Alan's features 'Everything But You' (Duke Ellington and Harry James with lyrics by Don George) flanked by 'Prelude to a Kiss' (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills, lyrics by Mack Gordon) and 'Night in Tunisia' (Dizzy Gillespie) then, later, 'Emily' (Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer).
Guests were John Shepherd and John Lang playing 'Riverboat Shuffle' and 'Ring Dem Bells'.
We enjoyed the evening so will return next Tuesday.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Les Dyos (trombone, pictured), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums).
Notable numbers with this line-up were:
'This Can't be Love', composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart from the 1938 musical The Boys from Syracuse;
'If I Could be With You (One Hour Tonight)' composed by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer, published in 1926;
'Round Midnight' (without Les), by Thelonious Monk (1944).
Alan Dandy's two solos were:
'When You Wish Upon a Star' (see last Thursday's post) Bracketed by 'Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas' and
'Thou Swell', again by Rodgers and Hart, this time for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (trumpet), Roy Stokes (trombone), Trevor Dockerill (clarinet) and Aileen May (string bass), playing 'After You've Gone' and 'Paper Moon';
Fred Shaw, Peter Tallent, Roland and Trevor, playing 'Black and Blue' and 'Undecided';
Peter Clancy (trombone, pictured) and Trevor, playing 'Dinah' and 'I Get The Blues When it Rains'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard during the breaks.

Labels: Jazz

This evening, there being no jazz locally and nothing of interest at the cinema, we watched a great film on BBC3. It was The Last Seduction starring Linda Fiorentino. We have seen it at least twice before but it never disappoints. The plot is extremely devious but understandable and I continue to see no flaws. The acting is dominated by the star, who plays the evil scheming woman to perfection. This film was released in at least 14 countries and in at least 11 languages so its appeal is truly international.

Labels: Film

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where the Magna jazz band performs every week. On this occasion the band comprised birthday boy Pete Towndrow (cornet, trumpet), Dave Hewett (slide trombone, baritone horn, pictured from the archive), Goff Dubber, (clarinet, soprano sax, pictured from the archive), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Richard Lyons (string bass) and Rex Bennett (drums). I noted 18 great numbers, i.e. all of them. We will mention a select few.

'But Beautiful', by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1947 but not played much in front of us;
Goff's feature 'Si tu vois ma mère' AKA 'Lonesome', by Sidney Bechet;
Dave's baritone horn feature 'When You Wish Upon a Star', by Ned Washington and Leigh Harline, introduced in the 1940 Walt Disney film Pinocchio, sung by Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike);
Goff's vocal 'Back o' Town Blues', with Pete slipping in a phrase or two from 'The Bugler's lament';
Alan's solo, the beautiful Hoagy Carmichael number 'Skylark', much modified by Alan to include a little of 'Singing in the Rain' and 'Rhapsody in Blue'.

Sylvia Hewett sat in the front row with us, suggesting once more that we should come to her jazz club; Sylvie's Place. It is such a pity that it is in Warlingham on a Wednesday. If it were closer or on a Saturday we would be sure to go.

Labels: Jazz

We received an e-mail message from Chris and Lisa Mitchell, the couple from Switzerland who we met at the Wych Elm recently. Chris plays banjo in a Swiss band The Harlem Ramblers as pictured.

Labels: Jazz

For the last few years we have been eating, drinking and enjoying jazz at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch almost every Monday evening. We spend about 2000-2500 pounds per year and we attract others to join us at our table, two of whom now eat there regularly. Yesterday evening was ruined by an excessively large party making the inevitable deafening noise, with no care for other customers or for the musicians. We cancelled the table for next week because it is clear the same will happen again and that its regulars are not the priority customers for this pub.

The pub manager's business plan (if there is one) is deeply flawed. He can fill the side area every Monday with jazz fans so it is counter-productive to put large one-off parties there. He has the front area and the snug empty on Mondays so that is where the extra customers should be seated. If he has to split them between tables then that is all to the good, as the two end groups on a long table cannot communicate and it is very difficult for the middle back customers to get up to relieve themselves.

The band was the 'Famous Four' comprising Chris Lowe (trombone), Richard White (bass sax), Martin Wheatley (acoustic guitar) and, new to us, young Ben Cummings (trumpet, vocal). We would have liked to hear Ben from our table as he sounded good when we danced close to the band.

Labels: Grumpy, Jazz

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Chez Chesterman (pictured from my archives) replaced Pete Towndrow on Cornet, the remainder of the band being standard. Highlights for sheer pleasure were the Chez vocals, e.g.:
'Round the Clock Blues' AKA 'My Mama Rocks Me', about which I know little except that it was recorded by Big Joe Turner and is said to be the origin of 'Rock Around the Clock';
My request 'Trouble in Mind', the well-known 16-bar blues written by jazz pianist Richard M. Jones (1892-1945), who recorded it in 1926 with singer Bertha "Chippie" Hill and Louis Armstrong on cornet.
We were treated to two Acker Bilk numbers in succession; Brian played 'Stranger on the Shore' as his requested feature and this was followed by 'Boodle-am-Shake' as recorded on the Clarinet Jamboree album by Acker with Terry Lightfoot, Sandy Brown and Archie Semple on four clarinets.
Surprisingly, Selina forsook her complete range of miniskirts and wore a long skirt and long boots. She must have a crystal ball; it was very cold in the room tonight. This gear had the advantage of allowing stockings and suspenders to be worn.

Labels: Jazz

This evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet (picture from last time), comprising Phil Brown (trombone, vocals), Lester Brown (trumpet, flugel horn), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax, Alto Sax), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and David Clancy (drums).
Numbers we particularly liked were:
'Autumn Leaves', originally a 1945 French song 'Les feuilles mortes' (literally 'Dead Leaves') with music by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by poet Jacques Prévert, English lyrics written in 1947 by Johnny Mercer;
'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' written by Joe Zawinul in 1966 for Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley and his album Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club';
'Perdido' by Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington's valve trombonist;
Ken Ames' feature 'Winter Wonderland' by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist) leading directly into 'Exactly Like You', written by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields (1930).
At our table were Brian and Tony, who left early to be replaced by Gillan, who has not sat with us for some time now. She is always good company so it is a shame that she does not come to more gigs.

Labels: Jazz