NJ News March 2022
Spring Greetings Jazz people I hope you are enjoying the hopeful signs of life returning to the Shire with the snowdrops and daffs nodding through the rain.
The two February NJ events were both excellent fun and enjoyed by many, especially the return after 5 years of the marvellous Hot Club Gallois who blew the capacity crowd
away with their Django style music. Violinist Xenia certainly captured the hearts of many of us with her vivacious presence and thrilling playing, with the two superb guitarists evoking the gypsy jazz virtuosity of Mr. Reinhardt.
Our jazz afternoon record session was hosted by the tireless Gordon Barry and enjoyed by the attenders at the Dingle Inn.
The next afternoon for your diary is on March 24th when our host will be the indefatigable Tudor Thomas who will feature great trumpeters of the classic years.
We have to apologise for the problem our website has in processing payments from Apple devices. We are unable to resolve this until we complete the process of registering as a Community Interest Organisation which will take some time as the bureaucracy involved moves slowly. Meanwhile I suggest that if you use an Apple phone or device normally, please call our dedicated number 07778 563334 and I will take your bookings to be paid for at the door.
We are excited to have The Coltrane Dedication Quintet on Thursday 17th March, not only because this is a rare chance to enjoy the music of a great 20th. century music master, but because this band is composed of some of the very best jazzmen in Wales. Lyndon Owen – Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Caractacus Downes – Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Dave Jones – Piano, Ashley John Long- Double Bass, Ian Poole – Drums Dave Jones is the only member we have previously seen here as the leader of his own group, and we know him as a pianist and composer of extraordinary brilliance who is now recognised by the jazz world in England as well as here. Ian Poole the drummer plays in 7Steps, paying tribute to Miles Davis as well as being a renowned Drum teacher. Lyndon Owen is a composer and saxman with a vast catalogue of experience in bands and orchestras Caractucus Downes Tenor sax here but he also plays piano and bass, he has been involved in classical music for many years. His playing is of course rooted in John Coltrane’s music. Ashley John Long is an award-winning virtuoso double bassist and composer. The the band is collective, founded in 2007, when a quintet of musicians who decided to dedicate their mission to the music they loved Coltrane’s ‘later period’, from 1960 to 1967, an era that take in such landmark Coltrane albums as “Giant Steps”, “Olé”, “Ascension” and, of course, “A Love
Supreme”.“Coltrane Dedication definitely approach JC’s music in the spirit of the man himself. I recommend their skilled and passionate updating of the Coltrane legacy to adventurous jazz listeners everywhere”– Ian Mann, The Jazzman 2020 We realise that the music of John Coltrane is not everyone’s cup of tea, but we hope that you will
come and enjoy revisiting the music that inspired so many people who came after him.
Book here, (not using Apple) https://narberthjazz.wales/event/the-coltrane-dedication-quintet/
We will hold a brief AGM at 7pm if you would like to take part, please come early. —————–——————————————————————————–
We are still looking to increase our membership which is crucial to our future as Narberth Jazz, so if you have recently joined or re-joined, we thank you sincerely. If not, we hope you will consider joining now and supporting us to serve the area with a diverse range of music into the future.
Other Jazz in the Shire: Aberjazz present a night of swing with ‘Swinging Bill’s Vintage Revue’ at Letterston Hall on March 12th. https://www.aberjazz.com/
Tenby Jazz is returning with their famous jazz brunches at the Imperial hotel Tenby in July https://tenbyjazz.co.uk/I know that Haverhub want to include jazz in their future programme, so keep an eye out here https://haverhub.org.uk/
Stay well and be hopeful that peace will come
Declan and the NJ team