Jazz News for September 2023

Autumnal greetings to everyone from Narberth Jazz Team

As the evenings become longer, we turn to nights out in good company and good music. This season we have a wealth events to choose from, starting with our celebration of the career of John Gibbon, the leader of our resident trio who has been bringing superb soloists to Narberth for over 20 years. John’s corny jokes, musical skills and huge list of top musician friends have brought us many great nights music.

On 21st September we celebrate his 50th year in show biz with singer Lee Nathaniel, Olly Blanchflower on acoustic bass and pianist Ross Hicks, which promises to be a night to remember.


Please read this important notice

Your organising team are going through changes and the Trustees are looking to you, our  loyal  membership, for guidance on how we are to manage our future development.

Specifically this will involve the distribution of expertise and effort to enable us to fulfil our objectives going forward into 2024.

We would like you to join us in person (or on zoom) to help us to serve you with the type of music you love, on Tuesday October 10th at Span Arts at 7pm. If this is not convenient, you could offer your thoughts via email info@narberthjazz.wales


Some of you will know the local Gypsy jazz group who go under the name The Swinging Nettles This bunch of Djangophiles have bravely organised a weekend for all lovers of gypsy jazz packed with great musicians, which should be well worth checking out.   All the info you will need at the website.

https://www.djangoatdewslake.co.uk/


Our October event will be on Thursday 19th with a special band from Bristol called Around About Dusk. We are delighted to present this unique band who  are an adventurous musical project playing original songs with influences ranging from musette, New Orleans jazz, old time, and European folk traditions with eclectic instrumentation and rich vocal harmonies.

Around About Dusk formed from a journey to New Orleans playing on the porches of Louisiana and heading through busking festivals of Europe to special venues and campfires everywhere.

Get a flavour here https://youtu.be/VMfNbcqeFPo?si=8LV4Ixb8QRHvgVOJ

“Haunting melodies, tightly laced harmonies and rich vocals weave stories about wonder and nature with echoes of cabaret, chanson, early jazz and folk shifting around like growing shadows. Could be a new favourite band for you…”
Steve Henwood, Programmer Glastonbury Festival

Other delights for you in September include:

Until we meet again at the Plas Happy Jazzing

The Narberth Jazz team

 

Jazz News for July 2023

Jazz News for July 2023

A big blooming welcome to all jazzophiles

After a flaming June we seem to have settled into a cool and windy July. Festival season is now in full swing with Manchester. Cheltenham and Swansea already behind us – did you manage to get to any of them? If you did, please let us know your reaction to the music that you heard and any recommendations for our future programme.

However 3 of our NJ team did go to Swansea jazz to see alto sax star Alan Barnes who was brilliant as always, he was playing Charlie Parker tunes with the local trio of Dave Cottle piano, Paul Smith drums and Alan Vaughan bass.

This wonderful alto and baritone player has a natural gift for presentation as well as a talent for sardonic humour and entertaining introductions. We all agreed that we will try and tempt him to come and play a gig for us soon as possible which will be in early next year if all goes well.

 

A worryingly small number of folk were tempted out last month to see a fine performance from Dick Hamer’s band with Jenny Jones. It was a very warm and bright evening so it was not so surprising so we are hoping for a cool and cloudy night on 20th July when Tomos Williams brings his tribute to Miles Davis to Narberth. This will be the trumpeter’s second time presenting this show here and I hope you will help us get a big audience for what will be a great night of entertainment.

Tomos is a leading figure in Welsh jazz who comes from Aberystwyth, is  unique in straddling both the folk and jazz worlds. He has played internationally with the widely respected and ground breaking Welsh folk band Fernhill for the past 15 years.

As well as leading 7 Steps and Khamira, he also leads the Welsh jazz/folk band ‘Burum’ which uses Welsh traditional melodies in a modern jazz context, which has played and toured in the US, India and France. Get your tickets in advance www.narberthjazz.wales/events

Next up will be the premier event of the year – The Garden Party at Lampeter House. Julian and Mami Williams have again very kindly offered us the use of their terrace and garden , this time it’s on Saturday August 5th and features The Constellation Big Band playing a selection of hits from the Duke, The Count etc from the big band era.

Jazzology will support with a feel good set of American classics.

There will be seats on the tiered part of the garden and other chairs for the lawn, but you may want to bring your own folding chair. Anti midge lotion and an umbrella might also be useful. There will be snacks and a Bar with Pimms etc available but you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

The gate is open from 3pm – live music 4pm Finishing 8.30+.


Other local events you may enjoy:-

Tenby Jazz brunch is on Sunday 13th August with Afternoon in Paris

Aberjazz have a number of pre festival events including on Friday 21st July in Ffwrn – Whiskey River. On Friday 18th August in Ffwrn Melanie O’Reilly Quartet . On Saturday 19th August in Ffwrn The pre-festival party with the Swinging Nettles followed by the Flyrites.

Swansea jazz club is on a roll at the moment with a weekly programme of good bands in a suitable venue. Check it out here https://www.swanseajazz.co.uk/

In case you missed it, BBC did a tribute to Burt Bacharach from Ronnie Scott’s in April which is still available on Sounds. http://bit.ly/3m4p3pU

We have a vacancy on our organising group if you would like to volunteer your time. It is fun and not too demanding. Please call Ben on 07551 793388

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

NJ Team.

News for June 2023

Newsletter for June 2023

Sunny June greetings to all NJ newsletter subscribers and a special welcome to new members.

The May gathering seems far away now but was a memorable performance by the Coltrane Dedication Quintet, who blew the blues away with vehement energy, recalling the passionate playing by late John Coltrane. His influence on the music still resonates with us today and this band, with the great Dave Jones on piano, brought his spirit back magnificently.

This month we present the popular combo featuring Dick Hamer’s sax, and Gethin Liddington’s trumpet with Jenny Jones singing.

This is a 7 piece group comprising Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass and Drums featuring one of our favourite singers – Jenny Jones on Thursday 22nd June at the Plas hotel Narberth. Doors 7:30 for a start at 8.

A very welcome return visit to the Plas by this excellent group.

June is a busy month for jazz in the county, here are a few that we know about:-

Thursday 8th. June at Ffwrn Fishguard Afternoon in Paris https://www.aberjazz.com/en/html/Tickets.html

The Haines-Davies Quintet play at Tenby Jazz Lunch next Sunday 11th June at The Imperial Hotel. https://tenbyjazz.co.uk/

Swansea International JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 : 15th – 18th June

If you fancy a trip to North Wales The International Eisteddfod in Llangollen features the Guy Barker Big Band on Friday 7th. July

https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/event_picker/evening-concerts/

Looking forward to our own summer and autumn offerings,

For July we have invited the trumpeter Tomos Williams to bring his tribute to Miles Davis called Seven Steps.

Tomos, from Aberystwyth, is a unique trumpeter in Wales who straddles both the folk and jazz worlds. He has played internationally with the widely respected and ground breaking Welsh folk band Fernhill for the past 15 years. Thursday 20th July.

As well as leading Seven Steps and Khamira, he also leads the Welsh jazz/folk band ‘Burum’ which uses Welsh traditional melodies in a modern jazz context, which has played and toured in the US, India and France.

A date for your diary is Saturday August 5th which is when we will take our annual trip to Lampeter House and garden for the Jazz Garden Party. Julian and Mami Williams have kindly agreed that we can bring a special treat this year – The Constellation Big Band – with their tribute to the greats of the Big Band era, Basie, Goodman and The Duke supported by the local Jazzology band.

As a little taster for your delight we have an interesting band on the 19th October ‘Around About Dusk’ please see their website for further information and music Around About Dusk – Rachel Lawrence Music

That’s All for now so Keep swinging and support live music whenever you can.

The Narberth Jazz team

Jazz News for May 2023

NEWSLETTER   MAY 2023

Hello lovely Jazzophiles,

Belated Beltane greetings from the beating heart of Narberth. We hope you have enjoyed a month of fabulous melody and sanctified soul.

The April gig with Simon Spillett was a stunner as you will know if you were there. We were treated to a torrent of saxophone improv from a master of be bop. Sharp suited Simon’s devotion to the music of Tubby Hayes was in evidence from the first number to the very end. His fleet fingered variations on all the tunes kept us all on tip toe, especially the JG Trio who had to work hard to keep up on the fast tempo’s Simon set for most numbers. John Paul Garde who was guesting on piano and Bass player Ollie Blanchflower rose magnificently to the challenge and they made a marvellous racket.

 

 

This month’s gig sees the return of the Coltrane Dedication Quintet who were very well received here last year, with many requests for a rebooking and this is it!     Thursday 18th. May.

Coltrane Dedication is co-led by the twin saxophones of Lyndon Owen and Caractacus Downes, both based around Monmouth. These two are the only constants in a pool of musicians that has included bassists Ashley John Long, Dominic Lash, Aidan Thorne, Erika Lyons, Bill Fletcher, Dane Cronenberg and Steve Tarner, pianists Dave Jones, Paul Jones, John Paul Gard, Mark Latimer, Mike Collins and Lynn Thomas and drummers Ian Poole, Iolo Whelan, Mark O’Connor, Greg Evans and Bob Duck.

Here they are on home ground https://youtu.be/30Id4IFoNL0

Always a profound evening, the intensity of the dynamic between these five players produces a single entity whose unity and trust in each other is palpable.

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Coming up at Narberth Jazz

22nd June. Dick Hamer’s Jazz Passengers with singer Jenny Jones

Narberth Jazz proudly present for your delight Dick Hamer’s Jazz Passengers with singer Jenny Jones. This is a 7 piece group comprising Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass and Drums accompanying one of our favourite singers Jenny Jones. This will be on Thursday 22nd June at the Plas hotel Narberth Doors 7:30


 

20th July . 7 Steps to Heaven, Tomos Williams pays homage to Miles.

5th August. Our famous Garden Party at Lampeter House with 2 of the best bands around.


Around About Dusk are a fascinating group of young players from Bristol area   https://youtu.be/OnQvmqOVZv4

One of the many minor names in jazz history who deserve a little more attention is trombonist Jimmy Cleveland who played with Lionel Hampton and Quincy Jones in the fifties. In 1955 he made this lovely record under his own name. https://youtu.be/0kbwFUHX8BM


Aberjazz has The Nuadha Quartet on Friday 2nd June in Peppers

On Thursday 8th June in Ffwrn Afternoon in Paris

Tenby Jazz has the Haines-Davies Quintet playing  on 11th June

That’s all until we meet again under the sign of the swinging cymbal. Good luck and good listening.

President Connolly takes a bow

President Connolly takes a bow.

After over 65 years of involvement in organising live music events Declan Connolly has now accepted the honorary title as President of Narberth Jazz..

His enormous contribution to making things happen in Narberth goes back to 1987 when he was part of the group that organised free children’s festivals on the Town Moor for ten marvellous years featuring No Fit State Circus, Benjamin Zephania, Nik Turner and countless others. Eventually he led Span Arts to promote many art events at The Queens Hall and was elected to be the first Manager after the 1992 refurbishment. Due to a huge building overspend he led the appeal to raise £80k to complete the transformation of the hall to a fully equipped multi use venue and art gallery. As Manager of Span Arts for 30 years he founded the famous Plant Sale, The Acapella festival and Spanjazz to provide first class monthly jazz concerts. These included Alan Barnes, Andy Shepard and Tim Garland. In 2021 the Jazz was separated from Span Arts and became Narberth Jazz which continues at the Plas Hotel every month.

Declan has accepted the honorary title as President of Narberth Jazz. Ben Morris, Chair of Narberth Jazz said ‘Declan has been the focus of performance art in Narberth for decades and responsible for bringing famous names to the Queens Hall through the 1980’s to 2001, as well as continuing enthusiasm for music in general’. These included storytelling, puppetry, and theatre as well as music. Folk stars Martin and Eliza Carthy along with Dave Swarbrick and Robin Williamson being featured. African and world music was a particular interest of his and during the ‘90’s  The Bhundu Boys, Quatre Etoile, Santana Mondolay and many more played on the stage.

With Todd Sharpeville he brought many famous bluesmen and women to Narberth and went on to work with Chris Osborne and Malcolm Cawley to found the Tenby Blues Festival. Later he helped found Narberth Food festival and always included a chance for performers to display their talents. Many people remember Nils Lofgren and Richie Havens were among the high light concerts he organised.

The Narberth Jazz next event featuring Simon Spillett with John Gibbon is on the 20th April at the Plas Hotel, Narberth, will likely see Declan with his usual smile to welcome to all.

Declan is proud to accept the title saying ‘What an honour! I am pleased to see Narberth Jazz going from strength to strength and will be doing everything I can to help the organisation into the future.’

It is worth adding that his partner Maggie Moss has been a continuing stalwart support by the side of the new President


 

update for early Spring 2023

Spring Greetings Jazz lovers,

We can look forward to a season of great live jazz in Narberth. We started well with the free improv of Duski in February, contrasting with the highly arranged music of Kenny Garrett with Dave Jones’ Quintet last month and now star saxman Simon Spillett with John Gibbon Trio, this month with John Paul Gard on piano.

Over his twenty-five year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it’s possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal’s Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist, Social Media commentator and latterly blogger.

However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry.

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.

We are proud to have him here to play for us on Thursday 20th April order your tickets via the website at an early date www.narberthjazz.wales/events

18 May  23       John Coltrane

22 June 23       Jazz Passengers

13 July 23        Thomas Williams Seven Steps

5 August 23      Garden Party – an afternoon/evening at Lampeter House. Music tba

Other Jazz in the Shire

Tenby Jazz brunch is on 16th April with The Keith Little Trio and Jane Williams

Aberjazz Fishguard has Huw Warren & Iain Bellamy on March 31st but you have missed the boat as it is now sold out.   Here is a nice link to a Huw Warren solo for home enjoyment  https://youtu.be/wbI-r-Up6-k

Jazz in the Village. Saturday 29th April

At Longstone Community Hall -Ludchurch (SA67 8JG)

Part of Ian Miller and Dominic Spencer’s UK tour  www.millarandspencer.co.uk

Jazz on the media

Wayne Shorter died on 2nd March and Jazz record requests on Radio 3 has a tribute edition on Sunday 26th. March https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001bs8x

In the heady days when David Attenborough was in charge at BBC2 we had Jazz 625, a weekly live jazz programme, often introduced by Humphrey Lyttleton. These days Jazz on TV is a rare thing but last Friday BBC 4 had a documentary about Ottilie Patterson who oldies will remember singing with Chris Barber in the 1950’s.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ht97

Be warned, Chris Barber comes out of it badly.

Scrolling through the suggestions on YouTube, I came across this fascinating radio programme on Art Tatum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G4wtPG33Ss from 1991.

To celebrate women’s history month, Blossom Dearie https://youtu.be/4hGjzuXchGg

We would like to expand our core group of volunteers so if you have any time to spare to keep live music going, please let us know info@narberthjazz.wales

‘That’s All Folks’

Declan on behalf of the NJ team

Jazz News for March 2023

Link

 

I think we can look forward to an interesting season of live music planned for the months ahead, and with your support build on the success of last year’s programme.

  • But first I must bring to your attention the little matter of support in the shape of our annual membership which is now due if you have yet to join or re-join. This is really important, not just for the £15 fee which helps with the expenses of marketing etc, but with a healthy number of members we can show funders that we are worth their attention.  So please help and show your support for live jazz in Pembrokeshire with a commitment of just £15. Thank You.
  • Just click here to complete the process https://narberthjazz.wales/event/membership-renewal/
  • Not only will you get at least £1 off at each live show, but also the occasional ‘members only’ event and the right to vote at the AGM which will be in March, and that will be your chance to vote us out and run NJ yourselves!

Dave Jones is a classically-trained pianist and organist who developed an interest in jazz, and studied with jazz author Lionel Grigson from the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has since released numerous critically-acclaimed jazz albums with his own ensembles and appeared on albums by other artists, with whom he tours in the UK and Ireland and overseas. He also composes and produces music for TV and Film.

Jones has long been a fan of the music of the great ex-Miles Davis saxophonist/composer Kenny Garrett. So began the process of discovering Garrett’s other music, both older and newer.

Andy Hague (Trumpet) had a great set of charts for a wide selection of Garrett’s tunes. So began the current Quintet programme. Jones now utilising Hague’s horn-playing skills adding the impressive Ben Waghorn (sax), Ashley John Long (bass), and Ryan Thrupp (drums) to complete the Quintet from great players, their collective skills, experience, and credits make this a project to watch out for…

Some background for you.

Ben Waghorn (saxes and flutes for NYJO, Tommy Chase, Slowly Rolling Camera and Keith Tippett, Goldfrapp, Kasabian and Portishead),  Ashley John Long (bass for John Law, Brandon Allen, Geoff Eales, Alan Barnes, Scott Hamilton, and London Philharmonic Orchestra), Andy Hague (trumpeter for Portishead, his own bands, and Be-Bop Club in Bristol regular), and pianist Dave Jones has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, performed internationally, and has TV composition credits including ‘The Big Bang Theory’, the US Open Golf Tournament, ‘The Today Show’, and ‘Location, Location, Location’.

A little taster for you. Dave Jones Quintet | birminghamjazz.co.uk


Friday 24th February  we presented the extraordinary DUSKI.

This band’s sound is based on the amazing guitar of Dan Messore with a killer rhythm section of Aiden Thorne (acoustic and electric Bass) and Mark O’Connor drums.

Dan uses all the pedals on his foot board to create imaginary soundscapes that are so far from what we  expect from a guitarist, they are more akin to synthesiser keyboards. The band can be heard on Bandcamp and have 3 CD’s out on the Ropeadope label.

Www.duskimusic.co.uk

Please note that this gig is at The Plas Hotel  on FRIDAY 24th. February.

In March we will welcome back the composer and pianist DAVE JONES, who is now leading an all-star 5 piece band, and are touring his ‘A hole In One’ project and CD which the band put their mark on the great music of Kenny Garrett. The band includes Bristol based trumpet and drum star Andy Hague who we have featured at the Plas in the past.

They will also be promoting their latest CD release which was recorded live at Pizza Express, London earlier this month.

Www.davejonesjazz.com

April will see the return of our ‘resident’ trio led by drummer John Gibbon. They will have  with them, Simon Spillet on tenor sax who is a lot more than a fine player in the Stan Getz to Sonny Rollins styles.    He has won every award possible for his playing and compositions, he is also an author, record producer and magazine columnist.

Www.simonspillett.com

Other jazz around the county includes Tenby jazz Sunday brunch on 12th February with Dick Hamer and Tommy Harris Quintet.

Www.tenbyjazz.co.uk

Aberjazz do not have any gigs this month but our friend Nick Hislam is leading his Jazzology Band and playing regular nights at The Royal Oak on Fishguard main square. Details if you call them on 01348 218632.

We hope you will have a great month and would welcome any feedback/comments you may have. Please keep an eye on our website where all info can be found as well as tickets to all events.

Www.narberthjazz.wales

Early January 2023

Early January News from Narberth Jazz

Greetings Jazz people,

Welcome and may we wish you a Happy New Year, one we hope will be better than 2022.

This will be a slightly abbreviated newsletter as your Event Organiser Declan is going on holiday for a well-deserved rest and recuperation break.

Our Christmas event with the Constellation Big Band at the Queens Hall really went with a swing and was enjoyed by a good crowd of participants.

Now; our first event for 2023 was Dick Hamer’s Jazz Passengers with singer Jenny Jones  on Thursday 19th January at the Plas

Saxophonist Dick Hamer has been a leading figure on the jazz scene for a number of years and leads this stellar band featuring Trumpeter Gethin Liddington, Trombonist Phil Jarvis with a rhythm section of Paul Shepherd drums Ashley John Long Double Bass, and Richard West piano. They are graced with an experienced singer in Jenny Jones.

Dick Hamer’s career to date has been mainly as a performer and teacher on sax, clarinet and flute, ranging from jazz, with his own ensembles from quartet up to big band, and appearances with various leading UK and USA players, (Bobby Shew, Stan Tracy, Loren Schonberg, Lew Tabackin) to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, as well as plenty of varied broadcasting, recording and theatre work. He has previously served as musical director of the Welsh Jazz Orchestra, and in the mid 80’s founded and directed the successful South Glamorgan youth jazz. He has always composed and arranged for his own and other ensembles, and recently decided to expand on this by writing pieces for publication. Some people will remember Ashley John long as the bass player featured recently here with the trio Yetii. A great evening’s musical entertainment is assured from this excellent band

Discography below: –
www.discogs.com/artist/642209-Richard-Hamer

Go direct here to get your tickets The Jazz PassengersNarberth Jazz

or call on our new number 07551 793388

Please put the following dates in your Diaries:

Friday 24th February 2023 the exiting DUSKI – at the Plas Hotel

Thursday 16th March 2023 – Dave Jones Quintet again at the Plas Hotel

Lots more events to follow in 2023

Thank you from the Narberth Jazz team

Please don’t forget to update your 2023 Membership at:-

Membership Renewal 2023Narberth Jazz

For new and returning Members

Please go to the website and fill in the Membership form at –

Membership | Narberth Jazz This  will allow us to contact you legally for information and updates as required.

You may then pay By visiting 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

November Update 2022

November News updates from Narberth Jazz.

Greetings Jazz people,

Welcome to the winter Newsletter, which has to start with an apology. We have been having trouble with our phone supplier and find that we have not been able to hear or respond to calls for some time – so sorry if you have been calling us. To resolve this issue we have had to change our contact number to 07551 793388. We love to hear from you on any subject so do call us. Tickets are best ordered online as usual, but if that’s not convenient for you, we can take telephone orders.

Now on to our special winter event. Which will be in the local community venue the Queens Hall on Thursday 8th December.

This will feature the premier West Wales big band, The Constellation Big Band. You may remember that in October 2021 we featured the Tribute to Humphry Lyttleton 10 piece band led by Chris Hodgkins and now we are proud to have this marvellous co-operative unit, who have been playing swing music since the 1970’s, based in Neath. They were featured at Brecon Jazz in the summer and went down a storm on the outside stage.

This party type evening is a rare chance to have a full 16-piece band of experienced players in Narberth. They will not only bring us well known swing tunes but also contemporary songs and Christmassy confections in line with the season. Please bring your family and friends to enjoy a rare treat just before Christmas.

It was a joy to hear the young trio Yetii at our last Plas gig, who kept us attentive to their beautiful original tunes and we gave them a rousing send off after they had encored with Lady Madonna. It was thanks to Ben, our chairperson, who rescued them from a broken-down car in Fishguard and took them to our venue along with their instruments in time to soundcheck.

The rest of the winter programme is now arranged and I think you will enjoy the mix of new and familiar faces we have lined up.

  • So on the 19th January sees the debut of singer Jenny Jones with an all-star 6 piece band  led by ace saxman Dick Hamer
  • February 24th a Friday night The guitar bass and drum unit DUSKI  https://duskimusic.co.uk/track/simple-song
  • Then on March  16th Dave Jones Quintet The tremendous Welsh piano star playing the music of Kenny Garrett.       https://www.davejonesjazz.com/videos

Tenby Jazz Brunches continue at The Imperial Hotel with Afternoon in Paris on 11th. December.

BBC Four The young Jazz Musician finalists. Fantastically talented young people well worth seeing if you missed it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00bb3wt/bbc-young-musician


Membership

We appreciate the support all of you have given Narberth Jazz over the past year, but we would like more people to become members and help to keep us relevant for the needs of the whole musical and community of Narberth.

Besides getting a discount on all ticketed events members have the warm feeling of supporting a voluntary group, as well as adding spice to the local music scene.

Membership numbers are also very important for our credibility when we look for funding for the projects that we have had to defer at present, so please join up. It’s only £15per year.

There will be a subtle reminder before the new year to encourage you to renew your membership.


As we said at the top, we love to hear from you on any subject so do get in touch when you feel like it.

Don’t forget your tickets for the Christmas party here https://narberthjazz.wales/event/christmas-party/

Very best Wishes for the season

Declan and the NJ team

 

 

November 2022 News

Narberth Jazz News for November 2022

Please note our Mobile phone number has changed to 07551 793388

Hello Friends,

Welcome to our November news, as we watch the leaves falling all around us and wait for the official ‘Autumn Statement’ which will tell us how our finances will be impacted by war, climate change and the pandemic, we know it will not be good news but we have the joy of creative music at our monthly gathering to look forward to and take us to a different place.

Our next live show is on the 17th of November, we have a young pianist and composer who is poised on the brink of a glittering career in music with his trio called YETII.  Alex Veitch – piano Ashley John Long – bass Alex Goodyear – drums PLEASE book your tickets now as they are going fast!

He graduated from Cambridge University in 2013 where he played regularly with the Andy Bowie Quartet and went on to study on the Jazz Piano Master’s Program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying under musicians including Gareth Lockrane, Jason Rebello and Malcolm Edmonstone.

Alex counts Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Fats Waller among his main influences. In his spare time Alex enjoys active pursuits such as running and cycling: a county champion athlete and long distance cyclist from London to Barcelona in summer 2016.The band has been playing together for 5 years, with a monthly residency at The Greenbank in Bristol. They’ve had time to hone their sound and their style is very interactive, with segues between tunes and frequent forays in and out of improvised sections.

Here is a link to an original composition by the band called ‘Summer’: https://youtu.be/v194E3DHzg8

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Inevitably at this time, thoughts turn to Christmas and this year we have an absolute corker of a party lined up at the Queens Hall.  Please book your ticket soon as places are going fast.

Constellation Big Band has been delighting audiences since1973 and was originally known as ‘Joe Berni Dance Band Neath’ Originally filled with musicians who played in bands during the war and post-war years, who came together to once again enjoy the pleasures of playing music that they loved. Over the years, the Band have toured Germany and played at various prestigious venues and have appeared on S4C’s ‘Heno’ TV programme.

Several personnel stayed with this fine Band over the years and they are very proud that a number of fine musicians remain amongst their ranks almost half a century since the beginning alongside the young players who have recently joined the ranks. The band recreates the sounds of music from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton and many more. They also take pride in having a vast array of music to play all genres of musical taste and style. They have two talented and versatile vocalists in Angharad Sanders and Chris Richards, both very experienced big band singers and presenters, under the musical direction of Phil Anthony. This will be the first time in many years that the band have played in Narberth and we can’t wait to enjoy this rare treat.

You can see more about the band here https://www.constellationbigband.co.uk/welcome

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I am still buzzing from the Jazz Promoters Network conference which I went to last week in Belfast. I made some great contacts for the future of Narberth Jazz. Plans for 2023 are well advanced, but we are always open to your recommendations, so please stay in touch.

An important word from the management

Because our only income comes from ticket sales and membership fees, we need to find other sources of income to keep ticket prices down as low as we can. We are considering some form of what is known as ‘Merch’. A tea/coffee mug is favourite among the committee, but it could be a cap or a T-shirt etc. We look to you for your choice before we invest.

We want to feature our logo and a brief, witty, relevant text following it.

Can you reply and tell us what you suggest? There will be a prize for the suggestion that becomes the one we use.  

info@narberthjazz.wales 

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Now a few interesting links for you:

Firstly, London Jazz Festival has a stunning line up and kicks off tomorrow and runs till the 17th.November https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/

Tenby Jazz features the Dom Norcross trio with Elaina Hoss next Sunday 13th at The Imperial Hotel https://tenbyjazz.co.uk/

Black Mountain jazz Wall To Wall festival in Abergavenny is coming up soon http://blackmountainjazz.co.uk/

I found a fun group called The Jazz Cannibals on YouTube, see what you think of them  https://youtu.be/rzdCxpXAFwM

The 100 year old BBC continue to cater to us on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on R3 and Jamie Cullum on R2 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dctt

I also found this on World service https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct43qq The Truth about jazz!

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Did you notice the poster images featured here? they are both the work of a talented designer friend of the club based in Preston where he runs a group called Jazzin the Park https://jazzinthepark.uk/

That’s all for now I hope to see you at an event soon

Declan and the NJ Team