Jazz Economics
Over the next few months we are planning to research a feature article on 'The Economics of Jazz' and we should like to hear from anyone visiting this site who would be prepared to send us their thoughts and experience. How much are audiences prepared to pay to listen to jazz? As a promoter, agent or musician, how difficult is it to find suitable venues? What is the most effective venue - a pub; a seated audience? As a publican, will people buy enough drinks to cover the cost of the band when people have to drive home? As a jazz musician, can you make a living from playing or like many artists, do you need to take on another paying job? How important is it for you to be able to sell your CDs at gigs? With the rising cost of fuel and the 'credit crunch' how viable is to it travel any distance to gigs? Please contact us with your thoughts on these or any related topics if you can help.
Showcas
e - Troubadour
Jazz is alive and well in Croatia. Apart from the Split Jazz Festival, bands have been playing in the country and the former Yugoslavia for years. Click here to hear the Troubadour band from Dubrovnik, made up mainly from the extraordinary Brešković family.
Contact us if you would like us to showcase your band.
BBC Jazz Awards 2008
Following last month's item on the annual awards granted by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG). Further awards took place at the Mermaid Theatre in London on the 21st July. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) presented awards to the following people:
BBC Radio 2 Artist Of The Year Award: Humphrey Lyttelton.
BBC Radio 2 Heart Of Jazz Award: Tommy Smith
BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-Up Best Ensemble Award: Tom Cawley's Curios
BBC Radio 3 Jazz On 3 Innovation Award: Fraud
Best Album Award: The Blessing's 'All Is Yes'
Rising Star Award: Kit Downes
Best Vocalist Award: Christine Tobin
Best Instrumentalist Award: Tony Kofi
Services To Jazz Award: Alan Bates
International Award: Charlie Haden
Lifetime Achievement Award: Chick Corea and Return To Forever
Gold Award: Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine
An album by nominees for this year's awards: 'Various Artists, BBC Jazz Awards 2008' (Specific Jazz) is now available.
Yamaha - Classic FM Jazz Scholarships
Awards to jazz musicians are important. On the one hand they represent recognition for talent and achievement and at the same time, whether you agree with the judges decisions or not, the awards help to publicise the profile of the people and the music. Not least of the awards are those that recognise 'rising stars', people to look out for in the years ahead. Kit Downes was named as someone to look out for in 2008 and there he was winning the BBC award for 'rising star'.
The Yamaha-Classic FM Jazz Scholarship Programme gives financial assistance, performance and recording opportunities to young jazz musicians nominated by the Heads of Jazz at six of the UK's leading conservatoires and universities. The awards for the second year of this three year programme were made at an event at the Palace of Westminster on the 7th July hosted by APPJAG in association with Jazzwise and PPL. These are six young people to keep an eye on. The scholarship winners were:
Calum Gourlay, double bassist from London's Royal Academy of Music
John Randall, drummer from Birmingham Conservatoire
Zem Audu, saxophonist from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Iestyn Jones, electric bass player from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Rick Simpson, pianist from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Ruby Wood, vocalist from Leeds College of Music
All of the winners will be featured on a promotional CD sponsored by Yamaha Music (UK), to be recorded and widely circulated later this year. Having heard these musicians play, we strongly recommend that you look out for them.
UK Afro Jazz
Mr Darren Taylor is currently playing bass with Courtney Pine. But he has another string to his bow - to document the musical journey of Afro Jazz in its myriad forms - Nu Jazz, Soul, Swing, Spoken Word, Blues, Bebop, Leftfield, Broken Beat ....... To this end, Mr Taylor has set up the website Jazzreloaded. 'Remember when bands were good enough that you didn't have to know the style before you listened to the band?' says Mr Taylor, 'Remember when the band played as tight as the DJ? Remember when they used to go hand in hand? Remember going to a show knowing you're going to like the people you meet? That's the Jazzreloaded vibe ...so here I am, passing on the UK Afro Jazz torch and schooling you about the modern day jazz historians. Welcome to Jazzreloaded'. The site is well worth a visit. (At the moment it is being updated so you may be taken to reverbnation.com where you can find out all about Jazzreloaded, listen to some of the music and register as a friend for more information and goodies). It will be a good way of keeping in touch with up and coming musicians playing Afro Jazz.
(Photograph of Courtney Pine and Mr Taylor courtesy of Jazzreloaded)
Jazz Quiz - Win a CD
Click here for this month's prize quiz - Jazz quiz No. 17 - all of the answers start with the letter 'T'.
The winner of Jazzquiz No.16 about New Orleans was Norrie Thomson from Scotland.
Trom
bone Players
Trombonist Tony Milliner who won our Quiz number 15 about trombone players has sent us his thoughts about the people featured in the questions. We have included Tony's comments on our Quiz page in Quiz 15, and they are worth reading for the snippets of information they give.
© Tony Milliner
Jazz FM
The word is that the UK digital radio station Jazz FM is to return in the late Autumn. As we reported in our Jazz On The Radio features, the original station gradually reduced its jazz playlist and increasingly played 'smooth' music so that eventually it became 'Smooth FM'. Now, The Local Radio Company has confirmed that it will be selling six loss-making FM stations and 'Their disposal enables us to significantly reduce central costs which will place the Company in a stronger position to take advantage of the opportunities that arise'. As one of those opportunities, Executive Chairman Richard Wheatly who was part of the original Jazz FM launch team, has revealed that TLRC has struck a three-year licensing agreement with the Guardian Media Group to resurrect the Jazz FM brand on digital platforms. GMG has said: 'GMG Radio believes Jazz FM is a niche listen and with the demise of theJazz, this is an opportunity to provide listeners with their own jazz station 24 hours a day'. The presenter lineup and full programme schedule is due to be announced soon. For more information, click here, and here.
That Track
We invite you to tell us about a track you enjoy and why. This month:
Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing
For me, this number was never really about Benny Goodman, but about drummer Gene Krupa. The version I have was recorded on January 16th, 1938 with Hymie Shertzer, George Konig, Babe Russin, Art Rollini (saxes); Harry James, Ziggy Elman, Chris Griffin (tpts); Vernon Brown, Red Ballard (tbns); Allan Reuss (g); Jess Stacy (p); Harry Goodman (b), and Benny on clarinet, Gene on drums.
Phillips issued it on an EP in their 'Jazz Gallery' series under the title 'Gene Krupa with Benny Goodman and His Orchestra' - it was too long for one side and so it was split into Part 1 and Part 2. They did a good job with the split as the second side picks up sympathetically with the drum solo. The sleeve notes say how for Krupa 'Sing, Sing Sing', in particular conquered the world overnight'. It is indeed a phenomenal piece of drumming to which the band clearly responds. How high Gene was on this occasion and with what I don't know, but every time I hear the piece I appreciate what a landmark it is. 'Sing, Sing, Sing' was reprised by Gene and the band in the film 'Hollywood Hotel'. It was a pale reflection of the original, but for a clip click here.
Blindfold Test
Our thanks to John Cox who told us about a web page on the Jazz Professional site which gives the text of a discussion in1963 between Sandy Brown, Harry South and Jimmy Deuchar. In a session conducted by Les Tomkins, they were presented with an unidentified recording and asked to discuss it. It is an interesting conversation. (The record they were asked to discuss and identify was 'Lulu's Back In Town' by George Wein and The Newport All-Stars: Ruby Braff (cornet), Marshall Brown (valve trombone), Pee Wee Russell (clarinet), Bud Freemen (tenor sax), George Wein (piano), Bill Takas (bass), Marquis Foster (drums). To read what they said, click here.
Jazz Professional at http://www.jazzprofessional.com
Video Clip of the Month
Sonny Stitt - Lover Man
Saxophonist Edward 'Sonny' Stitt was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 2nd, 1924. Considered the greatest disciple of Charlie Parker and inspired by Lester Young, he developed his own style which in turn influenced John Coltrane. He was especially effective playing the blues and this video clip of him playing Lover Man is a good example. The video is from a German programme called 'Bird Lives' from 1964.To see and hear Sonny Stitt click here. To read more about Sonny click here.
Disc of the Month and the Month's Top Ten
King Oliver 
- Blues Singers and Hot Bands 1924 - 1929
This disc takes us back to the very earliest days of recorded jazz and therefore to the classic New Orleans and blues styles. King Oliver - Blues Singers and Hot Bands on Okeh 1924-1929 is the latest collection from the enterprising Frog label, and picks up King Oliver's story from the year he disbanded his famous Creole Jazz Band. The great cornet player is heard accompanying blues singers such as Sippie Wallace and Victoria Spivey and playing in various hot groups led by Clarence Williams and others.
‘Disc of the Month’ is recommended by Jon Turner of Broad Street Jazz in Bath. King Oliver - Blues Singers and Hot Bands 1924-29 (Frog) - £12.99 (UK postage included) from Broad Street Jazz, 11 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LJ.
Jon also recommends his August Top Ten of recent releases on the Broad Street Jazz page: click here.
Chet Baker
One of Jon's recommendations is a recent release of the Chet Baker Quartet - the Complete 1955 Holland Concerts at £8.99 (UK postage incl.). 'Let's Get Lost', Bruce Weber's essential documentary film about Chet is still making its way round (mostly independent) cinemas and is well worth catching. Listening to Chet sing is one experience, watching him sing adds another dimension entirely. If you miss the film, it was released on DVD on the 28th July. Unfortunately, there appear to be few video clips of Chet Baker on the internet, but click here for a short preview of the September 2006 DVD The Jazz Icons: Chet Baker.
The Write Stuff
The London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3 is once again working in partnership with Jazzwise magazine to build on the huge success of The Write Stuff initiative. This scheme aims to give aspiring music writers the opportunity to work with professional journalists to improve their writing skills, receive insights into career paths and develop an understanding of jazz criticism - as well as getting into lots of concerts! Sessions on feature writing, reviewing and editing will be led by a range of leading industry figures and writers. If you are interested in participating, you must be18 years old or over and you should submit a 300 word (approx) review of a gig that you have seen recently, a paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from taking part and your CV. Applications need to be sent to 'The Write Stuff', Serious, 51 Kingsway Place, Sans Walk, London, EC1R 0LU by Monday 15th September 2008, or by email to educationATserious.org.uk (replacing the AT with the usual @ sign of course).
Forum
Father and Son
Young Boy: Daddy, I want to be a jazz musician when I grow up!
Father: You can't do both, son!
(From Ron Rubin, July 2008)
Ken Ramage and Friends
Ken has written to say that as part of the Festival Fringe, his band will be playing a New Orleans to Swing Jazz Jamboree at the Guildford Arms off the East End of Edinburgh's Princes Street from the 1st to the 13th August. Entry is free.
Alan Coop
er
Jamie Evans has written to tell us of his website about Alan Cooper, clarinet player with the Temperence Seven, and an admirer of Sandy Brown. Jamie played with Alan who died last August and Jamie would be interested to hear from anyone else who remembers Alan. Visit the site by clicking here. Photo courtesy of Alan Cooper site.
Cyril Davies
Similarly, Todd Allen in Canada has a site about 'the unsung father of the British Blues Harp', Cyril Davies and would welcome contributions from anyone who remembers or has information about Cyril. Visit 'Squirrel's Cage - A Tribute to Cyril Davies' and watch a video of Cyril by clicking here.
Walter Hanlon Jazz Photographs
Last month we gave details of Walter's book 1950s Jazz In London And Paris. Walter has written with more details - click here for Walter's letter.
Roger Bell
Roger Strong, who wrote the article Kiwi Jazz about Jazz in New Zealand has forwarded an email from Bill Hasler about Graeme Bell's brother Roger. For details click here.
Departure Lounge
The following musicians have recently passed through the Departure Lounge. Click on their names for their obituaries:
Roger Bell - Cornet player and younger brother of Australian jazz band leader Graeme Bell.
Johnny Griffin - Chicago born tenor saxophonist who played with Lionel Hampton, Bud Powell, Thelonius Monk, Art Blakey and John Coltrane.
Hiram Bullock - Jazz-rock guitarist of the avant-garde New York jazz scene. Born in Japan he played with David Sanborn and the Brecker Brothers band, Carla Bley and Gil Evans
Jo Stafford - Columbia Records vocalist who was the first woman to top the UK charts with her single 'You Belong To Me'. She sang with Tommy Dorsey's band before moving on to make popular recordings, often in duet with other singers such as Frankie Laine and Gordon MacRae.
Bobby Durham - Drummer Bobby Durham was born in Philadelphia. He was fired by Duke Ellington but worked with a string of other prominent bands including those of Oscar Peterson, Cat Anderson, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie.
Dave Carpenter - Bass player Dave Carpenter studied at Ohio State University before playing professionally with many bands including Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman. His later work was with the Peter Erskine Trio. He performed on over two hundred recordings and on dozens of television and film soundtracks.
Profiles
There are now links to a number of musicians' profiles that we have put together on this site as well as other people who are included on the Who's Who page.
Click on the person's name to read them: Mo Umansky, Bryan Corbett, Dizzy Jackson, Johnny Parker, Matana Roberts, Sue Richardson, Kit Downes, Bill Bramwell, Willie Burns, Gerry Salisbury, Bob Craig, Ron Rubin, Dave Keir, Stu Eaton, Tony Milliner, Roy Crimmins, Kit Downes.
Let us know if you would like us to add a profile.