Welcome to our Narberth Jazz’s early September Newsletter.

Ticket Price Adjustments for 2025

For the first time since April 2023, we have to implement an increase in our ticket prices.

A significant factor in this decision is the venue’s introduction of a fee beginning in early 2025, charging us £100 for the use of the room. Additionally, the general rise in costs and services due to ongoing inflation has contributed to the need for this adjustment.

Despite these changes, we are pleased to confirm that we are not introducing any additional booking or transaction fees.

We hope that you understand the need for these increases and hope that it will not deter you from both attending and your enjoyment of our events.

Although not the official end of summer, the nights are beginning to draw in and it is definitely getting a lot chillier.

Community News & Upcoming Events

The hot summer evenings are slowly disappearing, however what a summer we’ve had  with the wonderful Brecon Jazz Festival in early August. Then towards the end of the month we had the AberJazz ‘Jazz n Blues’ Festival at Fishguard. Not forgetting our own Jazz Garden Party in July.

Between them they showcased the very best of British jazz and included many of the bands that we have been fortunate enough to present over the years at the Plas Narberth.

Tenby Jazz continue with their Sunday Brunch and jazz performances at The Clarence House Hotel. with

28th September:  The Dick Hamer Quartet feat. Jenny Jones

19th October: The Groucho Club

9th November: Ross Hicks Trio

14th December: Dom Norcross Quartet with Elaina Hoss

So what have we in store for you next?

18^th September see’s The Coltrane Dedication quintet playing for us.

This is not a tribute band, but a group of musicians who are passionate about the style and music  that John Coltrane created.

On the 16^th October we have a return visit from Khamira. This Indo-Welsh band first visited us back in 2017, Khamira’s music is real world-fusion – imagine the cinematic scope of the Pat Metheny Group and the grunge funk of Miles Davis’s 70s band inter-twinned with passages of melancholic Welsh folk music and Indian classical virtuosity.

Narberth Jazz continues to bring the vibrant pulse of world-class music to our community.

• Volunteers Needed: We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with future events. If you have a passion for jazz and community, get in touch!
• Please share Your Feedback: Loved the show? Suggestions for artists you’d like to see next?  We welcome all feedback to keep making Narberth Jazz the beating heart of live music in our town.

This August, we were transported to the soul-stirring streets of New Orleans, thanks to the extraordinary talents of Dale Storr.

Dale Storr: The Piano Voice of New Orleans in Narberth

On a warm Thursday evening 21^st August, we had an Evocative Night of Jazz and Storytelling

The Narberth Jazz audience welcomed the return of Dave Storr, a musician whose very essence seems intertwined with the spirit of the ‘Big Easy’. To experience Dale Storr live is to be swept into the swirling heart of New Orleans itself—a city whose legacy is written not only in its storied streets and vibrant festivals, but in every note that dances from the black and white keys of the piano. This was not simply a performance, but an immersion—a spirited journey through the rich sonic landscape of New Orleans, lovingly guided by an artist at the height of his powers.

Dale with his encyclopaedic knowledge and effortless technical skill, channels the deep and tangled roots of New Orleans piano tradition. The city’s music is a heady brew: rhythm-and-blues, jazz, ragtime, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll, and the irrepressible boogie-woogie, all mixed into a genre-defying elixir.

On this night, Storr’s fingers danced nimbly across the keys, spinning tales in a language both familiar and fresh, inviting the audience into the lineage of pianists who shaped the city’s musical identity. Dale conjured up the spirits of two of its musical legends and their music; Mac Rebennack (Dr John) and James  Booker (The Bayou Maharajah). Their music and influences were amply demonstrated within the presentations given to us during the evening.

The music, at once raucous then refined, evokes the bright Mardi Gras revelry, the solemn hush of a gospel service, and the smoky intimacy of a late-night jazz bar.

Dale’s selection that evening included signature pieces such as the opening standard ‘St James Infirmary’ then ‘Dorothy’ and ‘Mississippi Mud’ by Dr John, and then a hauntingly beautiful take on ‘A Taste of Honey’ and ‘Goodnight Irene’  from James Booker’s canon. There were amongst many of the classic charts.

Dale Storr is more than a pianist. He is a custodian of memory, a scholar of sound, and a generous spirit whose artistry bridges centuries and continents. In his hands, the piano becomes a portal, transporting listeners to the heart of New Orleans, where music is not just entertainment but a way of life.

See you at the next session,

The Narberth Jazz Team

A Jubilant Celebration of Jazz, Summer, and Community

held at Lampeter House on the 20th July.

Introduction

There are summer days that slip quietly by, and there are others that reverberate with the sounds of laughter, music, and a spirit of togetherness. The 5th annual Narberth Jazz Garden Party, held at the picturesque Lampeter House on Sunday, 20th July 2025, was most assuredly one of the latter—a day when the  eventual appearance of the sun and the saxophone vied for centre stage, and the lush grounds came alive with the joyous energy of jazz aficionados and newcomers alike.

Setting the Scene

The grandeur of Lampeter House, nestled in the heart of the Welsh countryside, offered the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of music and merriment. Gates opened at 2pm, welcoming guests into gardens abloom and anticipation high. A gentle breeze carried the promise of Pimm’s, and the scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the distant strains of a trumpet warming up, as attendees of all ages gathered to celebrate the enduring magic of live jazz.

The weather which had threatened to spoil our fun eventually came good just in time for the festivities.

The Performances

• The festivities kicked off with the Vic Partridge Hot Five, whose Jazz from Dixie set the tone with a spellbinding performance steeped in the golden era of jazz. Vic Partridge’s lively, toe-tapping rhythms transported listeners straight to New Orleans, where the air is thick with brass and the streets come alive after dark.
• Next, the stage belonged to the dynamic duo of James Chadwick and Liz Excell. Their interpretations of beloved standards were anything but conventional—infused with playful improvisation, unexpected harmonies, and a modern twist that delighted even the most traditional jazz devotees. Their chemistry was palpable, drawing smiles from the crowd as familiar tunes found new life.
• Dom Norcross & The Numbers Racket with Elaina Hoss –: As the afternoon waned and golden hour crept in, Dom & The Numbers Racket, joined by the effervescent Elaina Hoss, electrified the audience with their infectious high energy jump jive rendations. The set was a whirlwind of swing, swagger, and spectacle, as couples danced on the grass and applause rang out long after the final notes faded.

The Experience

The musical journey spanned from 3pm to 8pm, but the joy lingered well into the evening, for those who didn’t want the celebration to end. A well-stocked bar kept spirits high, and the addition of Pimm’s and light refreshments ensured no guest went wanting. The sense of community was tangible—strangers became friends over shared melodies, and every corner of the garden hummed with conversation and laughter.

The event was welcoming and inclusive, inviting both seasoned jazz fans and curious newcomers to experience the warmth of Narberth’s musical community.

Thanks to the generosity of the following ‘donors’ our raffle was both successful and interesting to all.

Jazz Books donated by Harriet Addyman

Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park – Gumfreston;

Folly Farm;

Manor Wildlife Park;

Heatherton World of Activities;

Top Joe’s

And of course a huge thanks you to Julian and Mami Williams for the use of their home, Lampeter House, once again.

Conclusion

This year’s garden party was not just a showcase of remarkable talent but a heartfelt celebration of what makes jazz—and the community that cherishes it—so enduringly special. As twilight settled over Lampeter House and the last guests lingered under the stars, it was clear that the spirit of Narberth Jazz remains as vibrant and inviting as ever in spite of the disappointing weather. Here’s to many more years of rhythm, revelry, and hopefully radiant summer afternoons.

JULY 2025   Newsletter

Greetings jazz lovers,

I was not able to be with you for last months live event with The Tomos Williams Trio, but reports on the night told me it was filled with the spirit of contemporary Welsh music of a high standard. Tomos (not the rugby player)is a gifted trumpeter and jazz activist who leads several fine bands (Burum, Khamira) He presents a jazz radio show on BBC Radio Cymru, and he is Chair of ‘Jazz Explorers Cymru’ – a grass roots organisation set up to promote jazz within and outside of Wales.

Tomos also leads his own jazz quartet ‘7Steps’ which focuses on the music of Miles Davis, which we have featured here at NJ.

The June performance was a feast of guitar and fiddle tunes served up by the Cardigan based crew called Llandjango. Robbie, the master fiddler of Stefan Grappelli’s trills and runs also sang the 30’s tunes associated with The Hot club of France.

This month our biggest event of the year takes place when we return to the garden of Lampeter House for our fifth

Jazz Garden Party  Sunday 20^th July

This year we feature 3 home grown Welsh acts who have a mission to entertain.

Banjo master Vic Partridge brings his stalwart crew of Dixielanders to get the party started with toe tapping tunes, followed by guitarist James Chadwick and Liz Exell. Top of the bill are the best jump jive crew in Wales,  The Numbers Racket featuring Dom Norcross on tenor sax and Elaina Hoss, dynamic singer with a powerful voice. There will be a Pimms bar and snacks but you are welcome to bring your own picnics. Please get your tickets online to avoid the queue.

Other jazz in the area includes:-

Brecon Jazz Festival 8th-10th August

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/brecon-jazz-festival-delivery-team

The 22nd Fishguard Jazz & Blues Festival 21st to 25th August 2025

https://www.aberjazz.com/

Swansea International Jazz Festival

4 – 7 September 2025  https://www.visitswanseabay.com/swansea-international-jazz-festival/

Whist not forgetting our August 21^st event with the return of the master of New Orleans piano – Dale Storr.

That’s all for now, we look forward to seeing you soon

The NJ Team

Narberth Jazz News, June 2025

Greetings Jazz Lovers,

I wonder if you were aware of the important cultural event that took place in the town last Saturday. I was vaguely aware that the high street would be closed, but not that a parade of druids, dignitaries and dandy’s  would be going round for the inauguration of this year’s national Eisteddfod.  They marched to the beat of young brass band, which reminded me of our project which is currently abandoned to create a youth band here. It proved to be beyond our capabilities last year despite an encouraging meeting of young players in Haverfordwest last March with Jazz Explorers, including guitarist James Chadwick and Tomos Williams.

Tomos is  the trumpeter who we feature at The Plas on Friday 30^th. May.

The National Youth Jazz Wales is an ambitious new partnership between Jazz Explorers Cymru, National Youth Arts Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, supported by the Arts Council of Wales and National Music Service Wales. Together, they aim to build a new talent development programme to inspire and support young jazz musicians throughout Wales.

https://www.nyaw.org.uk/jazz

I am sure Tomos will have more news on this when his trio plays for us later this month on FRIDAY 39^th May

Our June jazz night features Llandjango, a name which includes a clue that you might recognise as Manouche music played by Welsh people. In fact four talented chaps from Cardigan area with guitars, bass and a fiddle playing the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli   Find them on Facebook (1) Facebook

Your committee is currently planning for the annual Garden Party at Lampeter House, which will take place on Sunday 20^th July with 2 great bands and maybe a mystery guest spot?. If you have time to spare we could do with a hand. Please volunteer at the box office when you next come to a show. Thank you.

• The festival season is already upon us with London and Cheltenham already in the past. We can look forward to
• Brecon 8-10 August, Swanage 11th – 13th July,
• Swansea International Jazz Festival September 4th, 5th, 6th & 7^th.
• Aberjazz Fishguard 21st-25th. August.

We welcomed back the Dick Hamer quartet with singer Jenny Jones to the Plas Hotel Narberth on 17^th of April. Dick Hamer is a wonderfully fluent tenor sax soloist with a big, round, warm tone on the instrument. He names his three main tenor sax influences as Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Joe Henderson. Jenny Jones is a talented jazz vocalist who has performed with Dick Hamer many times as well as singing with the Capital City and the Morriston Big Bands, to name but a few..

We also welcome back from last month’s superb  Narberth Jazz event ‘Trunk of Funk’, Dave Jones on piano. With the foundation rhythm accompanists  of Alan Vaughn – bass and Nick Hislam – drums to complete the line up.

So to the opening set which set the pattern for the evening. Starting with Wayne Shorter’s “Yes or No”, then the “Recado Bossa Nova” Next up it was Jenny Jones’s turn with a couple of Big Band numbers “All of Me” and Hoagy Carmichaels evergreen  “Georgia” Then on to the instrumentals compositions of Lee Morgan (of “The Sidewinder” fame) with a trip to Salsa territory ‘Ceora’, with the quartet bouncing ideas and solo’s for our delight. Back to Jenny with Peggy Lee’s  “Do right” then “Smile” and “Bluesette” The Quartet got really stuck into “Star Eyes” and then the closer “Cherokee” Altogether a wonderful evening of musicianship and entertainment

As passing note we had a lot more younger people in our audience at this event. We also tried to make the Plas room more like a jazz club with subdued lighting and even table lamps!!

• We also had good reviews from the Press
• Narberth Jazz welcomed back the Dick Hamer Quartet | Western Telegraph
• Narberth Jazz welcomes back Dick Hamer Quartet | Tenby Observer

That’s all for now from —

Narberth Jazz team

Your April News.

Spring Greetings Jazz lovers,

Dave Jones must be the hardest working pianist in Wales. After last months gig for us, on the 20th March, with his ‘Trunk of Funk’ band he appeared in Newport for an afternoon event with Sarah Couch singing and the Jazzolina Trio. This Friday [4^th] he is in Hay on Wye with drummer John Gibbon.

Happily this gifted and versatile musician was welcomed back with us this month to the Plas Hotel with Dick Hamer on Thursday 17^th. April.

Dick Hamer is a wonderfully fluent tenor sax soloist with a big, round, warm tone on the instrument. He names his three main tenor sax influences as Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Joe Henderson.

He has graced our stage before but here he is with Gethin Liddington to remind you what a swinging player he is.

https://youtu.be/L8oIL-Gqm8Q?si=acTNkuq7CKtxM9om

Jenny Jones will be singing with Dick and is the talented jazz vocalist who has performed with Dick Hamer many times as well as singing with the Capital City and Morriston Big Bands. The foundation rhythm section was Alan Vaughn – bass and Nick Hislam – drums.

Please note that our May jazz night will be on FRIDAY 30^th and will feature the fabulous Tomos Williams with Aiden Thorne and Matthew Homes.

The next Aberjazz event is The Transatlantic Hot Club  in Ffwrn on Sunday 4th May at 2:30pm

Swansea Jazz is now based at the Cu club in Mumbles and has an excellent programme of jazz weekly on Wednesdays, well worth travelling for. https://www.swanseajazzland.co.uk

If you haven’t yet renewed your Membership for 2025 please do.

More news later when the weather goes back to normal and we are confined to ‘indoors!’

All the very best from the NJ Team

Review of the set played at the Plas Hotel on Thursday 20/3/25, by Dave Jones’s “Trunk of Funk”

So what is FUNK; you my ask?

Music where the rhythms are strong, clear and hypnotic and the phrasing of the melodic and chordal instruments is bluesy and very vocalised.

Well we were treated by all of the above when Dave Jones’s new “Trunk of Funk” group played for us at the Plas Hotel on Thursday 20^th March. The reverberating intense rhythmic drive of the group presenting us with many of the classic numbers from the masters of the genre.

The driving rhythm provided by Elliot Bennett (drums) and Jon Goode (Bass) provided the ideal platform for Ben Waghorn (sax), Paul Carr (guitar) and of course Dave Jones on keys, to provide a showcase of the music of ‘Funk’.  You may recognise many of the origination artists and their compositions that were presented to us during the evening.

The set comprised Cissy Strut (The Meters), Red Clay (Freddy Hubbard), Dirty Old Man (Tom Scott), In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington, but inspired by the Steps Ahead version of that tune), Elektric City (Chick Corea) … and then the 2nd set – Blue Miles (Chick Corea), Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Joe Zawinul), Cantaloupe Woman (Grant Green), Little Sunflower (Freddy Hubbard), and finally The Chicken (Jaco Pastorius).

So ended another enthralling evening of yet another variation of the music we call Jazz.

News March 2025

Greetings NJ members and friends,
I hope that your St. Davids day was full of sunshine and daffodils like mine.
Our February presentation with Keith Little Swing Four band went very well and you can read reviews in the Western Telegraph and Observer.

Gethin Liddington in full flow with Keith on keys and the rhythm kept on beat with Bill Lynn (from Bath) and Greg Evans on drums.

Jimi Hendrix once asked “Are You Experienced?” but I am now asking “Were you surveyed?”
Most of the February audience were kind enough to partake in our survey to gain your opinion on our way forward with Narberth Jazz music, and so now we know that:-
Piano is the most popular featured instrument.
(Was this because it happened on a night featuring a great pianist?)
This was followed by Blues, then Mainstream and Gypsy jazz
Surprisingly Trad/Dixie and Bop scored quite low.
Your committee will be dissecting these results and making decisions over the next couple of meetings. We may repeat the survey for a couple more months to expand the response base.
Please if you have any preferences (or hates!) please let us/me know.
This month our live session is provided by Trunk of Funk, the new band led by keyboard
maestro Dave Jones and featuring ace sax player, the perfectly named Ben Waghorn. We have enjoyed several visits from Dave’s acoustic bands but this new unit have been making waves around south Wales for the last few months and so we knew they would go down well here on Thursday 20th March.

Our future events will include
• 17/4/2025 Dick Hamer 4 with Jenny Jones
• Friday 30th May 2025 Alec Clarke; Aiden Thorne trio,

Aberjazz have The Ross Hicks Trio on March 7th in Peppers and the Patrick-Barrett-Donlon Quartet in Peppers on 21st March.
See Aberjazz Home Page
Brecon Jazz are celebrating Women in Jazz with Tammy Payne Quartet on 11th March. They also remind us that Brecon Jazz Fest is 8th – 10th August this year.
Not Jazz but worth noting, is a new multi arts festival in Tenby this month called Y Lle Da/The
Good Place from 21st to 23rd. https://www.ylledathegoodplace.co.uk
Also Tenby Jazz ‘Sunday Brunches are back again starting in April with Dave Cottle
See Tenby Jazz – The home of Tenby’s Jazz Brunches
If you enjoy classic and vintage jazz, I can recommend Old Friends Radio I found it here
https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirruscontent/ofrn
Also on BBC Sounds look out for Add to Playlist – Add to Playlist – Julian Joseph and Aoife Ní Bhriain open the new series – BBC Sounds
That’s all for now
The NJ Team

Narberth Jazz News for January 2025

Greetings  Jazz lovers,

Happy New Year, may 2025 be full of love, peace and good music for you.

Our performances started the new year with a very happy and high energy night of dance music with THE NUMBERS RACKET; with Dom Norcross and Elaina Hoss Thursday 16^th January.

This long running band six piece jump and jive band have been keeping dancers swinging for quite a few years now and led by our own Narberth sax star, DomNorcross.The bands featured singer is Elaina Hoss who has appeared with Dom on many occasions.

Next month we bring to you  KEITH LITTLE SWING FOUR on Thursday 20^th February.

The Keith Little swing four ensemble, featuring acclaimed trumpet player Gethin Liddington. Known for his virtuosic skill and dynamic performances, Liddington brings a vibrant energy to the group, elevating their performances with his masterful command of jazz and swing.

Their repertoire ranges from classic jazz standards to lively swing numbers, ensuring an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

With each performance, the Keith Little Swing Four captures the essence of the golden age of jazz, blending technical precision with infectious rhythm.

Their music is guaranteed to get toes tapping and spirits lifted.

Please renew your Membership this month to enable Jazz in Narberth to be live and thrive.

To renew for 2025 visit our website www.narberthjazz.wales

Click on “Events/Tickets and Membership Renewal” and “Get Tickets” which will allow secure Card payment.

Or if you prefer pay by BACS transfer to:- HSBC bank, Narberth Jazz,

Sort Code 40-23-21. Account Number 11620630

Note: The Payee Account Type is ‘BUSINESS’

Best wishes

The NJ Team

NEWS DECEMBER 2024

Greetings Jazz lovers,

How nice it was to welcome Vic Partridge and his merry fellows to play a set of New Orleans tunes for us at the November session. Ron King proved a strong lead on trumpet and John Scantlebury matched him on clarinet and sax, together with th ‘bone’ of Terry Williams stomping out the old songs with great gusto, reminding we old grey hairs of the time we first came to love the music we call jazz.

The audience responded to the exuberant and humour filled evening of music that resonated with them.

Our next event will be with our local favourite musician Dom Norcross with Elaina Hoss and the Numbers Racket.

This will be at the Plas Hotel on Thursday 16^th January 2025.

 Also of interest is the Event put on by the Queens Hall, Narberth on the evening of Friday 20^th December.

It will be the Cardiff Big Band known as the SIGLO SECTION and will feature Luke Andrews.

Tickets £19 BUT with a discount to £17 for Narberth Jazz Members.

Please contact Queens Hall – The Siglo Section ft. Luke Andrews or phone 01834 861212

You may have seen the BBC TV programme last week where Ursula Harrison – a bass player from Wales—became the winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024.

Photo: BBC.

You may remember her from a performance she gave at the Plas last April, with the Eddie Gripper Trio.

So from all of the hipsters that bring you Narberth Jazz may I wish you a wonderful Christmas Tide and looking forward to an interesting and enjoyable New Years programme we hope to bring to you.

Big thank you to all for your support.

Which unfortunately reminds me that your Membership Renewal [or even joining application] is now imminently due for 2025.

To renew please ‘buy’ a renewal ticket from our website:-

Membership Renewal 2025Narberth Jazz

Or if you are joining or rejoining please use the web page Membership | Narberth Jazz where your details and permissions will be recorded for your application and our records.

You may pay direct to the Bank  via BACS or just ‘buy a ticket’ from Events / Tickets & Membership Renewal from the Web site  https://narberthjazz.wales/events/

Thank you and have a great Christmas and New Year.

The Narberth Jazz Team

Jazz News and posts for October /November 2024

Hello Narberth Jazz People,

Our Autumn season has so far been an absolute classic with Dale Storr and last month the great Alan Barnes with John Gibbons merry men.

Alan remembered playing in Narberth many moons ago, and I could not recall when it was so I looked out my old Queens Hall diaries and found that it was 1996 when he played a duo set with his long time piano partner Dave Newton. At that time the hall boasted an ancient upright piano which I arranged to be tuned some time before the gig. Dave was very kind about it’s shortcomings unlike Stan Tracey who’s legendary capacity for cursing was unleashed when he played with a Welsh 9 piece a little later.

We have found it difficult to find interesting local Trad jazz players to grace our  live music nights, and so we have asked a top notch bunch of Traddies from South Wales to come and play this month. Banjo and guitar Vic Partridge brings his Hot Five to delight us this time around with toe tapping tunes that you are sure to know.

You can see him here https://youtu.be/CwJ8CTf17KI?si=yetPebRtY9gUMSI6

playing Chinatown my Chinatown.

 ‘Lovely stuff from a quartet with attitude and a commitment to swing. Trad jazz alive and kicking. Great fun in abundance.’

This will be our last presentation of the year so make sure to be there on Thursday 21^st November.

Aberjazz in Fishguard are hosting live jazz jams hosted by Nick Hislam at Peppers on the first Wednesday of each month, starts at 7.30pm.

Pianist and accordionist George Whitfield hosts sing along sessions at the piano at the Star pub Narberth also on Wednesdays.

Don’t forget that The Queens Hall will be presenting a Christmas Dance with the Siglo Section big band. To take advantage of the Queens Hall offer

they would like to extend the concession price of £16 (+£1 booking fee) to all Narberth Jazz members. If any of your members would like to purchase, please ask them to call Box Office on 01834 861212 and quote Narberth Jazz.

Our festive dance gig will start the 2025 New Year with a bang on 16^th January with the legendary Dom Norcross and the Numbers Racket with Elaina Hoss

Happy Christmas!

AND looking forward to seeing you at our ‘gig’ /events throughout 2025.

From the team at Narberth Jazz.