April 2022 News letter
Welcome to the NJ news,
Firstly the ‘back office’ activity, which is nevertheless important to tell you. Our chair has modified our constitution to conform to charity rules and we can now announce that we are now officially A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION. It does not change the way we work, but it does protect our trustees from personal liability, and more importantly it opens the way for us to obtain funding to do the unprofitable side of our work. (youth band and jazz in care homes etc.) As soon as our status was confirmed, an application for funding was completed so that, if successful we will be able to carry out our plans. This has meant a busy time for our chair, so big thanks to Ben!
Our overworked treasurer, Gordon has now got help to simplify the ticket booking system and overcome the current problem dealing with iphone bookings and we are looking at ways to help you get what you want from your membership of Narberth Jazz. If you have yet to become a member, I urge you to do so now, as it is important for us to show we have a demand for jazz in Pembrokeshire – and your £15 will not only support live jazz but contribute towards our Care Homes Project and the setting up a Narberth Youth Band
We intend to join the Jazz Promotion Network soon to improve the opportunities for top class artists to tour in Wales, and hopefully come and play for us.
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Our March event with The Coltrane Dedication Quintet turned out to be one of the best evenings that we have held so far. They brought highly skilled minds to bear on Coltrane’s tunes with great skill and imagination. The large audience gave them a heroes send off and we will ask them to come again.
On Thursday 21st. April we are pleased to have one of Wales greatest entertainers, the singer JEFF HOOPER who has gained a huge reputation singing the great American classic songbook with his own groups and has featured with the BBC Big Band on many occasions. Jeff developed his talent as a singer with the famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Jeff likes to give really well presented shows with entertaining dialogue, and combined with his magnificent singing this has made him a popular figure on the music scene. Not just lists of songs, but fully developed shows. His work is prolific, with overseas concert tours, weekly radio shows, luxury cruises and regular performances across Britain and beyond in some of the world’s top jazz clubs, concert halls and cabaret spots. For us, on 21st April he will present an intimate take on the songs with The John Gibbon Trio.
Tickets from the website www.narberthjazz.wales/events
If you would like to book a meal, please call the Plas Hotel on 01834 869006
The following week Thursday 28th.April we will hold our Jazz In The Afternoon at The Dingle Inn, Jesse Road Narberth with a presentation from NJ member Martyn Oughton, who also presents a monthly wide ranging jazz programme on Pure West Radio, called
Jazz Box. Which can be found here https://www.purewestradio.com/podcasts
Please come along at 2pm for music and conversation- not just music- but interesting chat about what’s on our minds. (Excluding virus and war!)
On Thursday 19th. May we welcome back the pianist KEITH LITTLE with his trio and singer Jane Williams
Keith Little – piano, Gethin Liddington – trumpet, Don ‘donnie joe’ Sweeney – double bass, and Jane Williams – vocals. Keith has recently returned from an extended stay in Munich, and we are delighted to have him back.
On Thursday 16th June The DOM NORCROSS Quartet with organist John Paul Gard and singer Elaina Hoss, which which was scheduled for January, but the virus meant we had to defer them until now.
On 14th April Aberjazz have the Transatlantic Hotclub with Ben Creighton-Griffiths in Peppers
28th April, Trish Clowes and My Iris at Rhos-Y-Gilwen www.aberjazz.com
Not jazz related but I wanted to flag up that the marvellous No Fit State Circus is back in the Shire from 8th. To 23rd.April with an unmissable treat for all ages at Withybush Showground. It really is a fantastic show. Tickets here www.notfitstate.org/sabotage
If you are a fan of the young New Orleanian Street band Tuba Skinny, you might like to know that they have a new album of self penned tunes which you can hear here:- https://tubaskinny.bandcamp.com/ Also to be found on Bandcamp are a host of good jazz albums that you can stream and buy, including Mark Kavuma’s Banger Factory and Nubia Garcia, young British artists of the moment.
Please join us on Facebook Twitter and Instagram where you could leave pictures and messages etc.
I have attached a poster for this month in case you can print it and display in your local shop /garage/ village. Thanks That’s all for now – happy Jazzing
Declan and the NJ team