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25th Jazz Festival: 25th, 26th, 27th June 2010
FRIENDS OF THE UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Chairman: Harry Hadden
Secretary / Treasurer: Paul Lawrence
Court Cottage, Lockeridge Lane, Upton-Upon-Sevem Worcs. WRS 0RP
Tel. Upton-Upon-Sevem (01684) 593794
Email
(Founded November 1986)
Join Worcestershire's Premier Jazz Society
for the best live jazz in the area featuring
top musicians from Britain and abroad.
CONCERTS JULY - DECEMBER 2010 AT HANLEY
CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL
(unless otherwise stated)
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FRIDAY JULY 16th
MICHAEL McQUAID'S LATE HOUR BOYS (Australia)
N.B At 8pm At THE MEMORIAL HALL, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN
Tickets £10 (Members £8)
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band perform hot jazz with a distinctly Australian twist. Inspired
by Aussie jazz pioneers Ade Monsborough and Graeme Bell they play
Australian original tunes as well as the classics of the 1920's
and 1930's. The Late Hour Boys line up creates the essentials
of good jazz. Liam O'Connell's swinging banjo lays down an irresistible
pulse, while Mark Elton's bass provides a rock solid foundation.
Reedsman Jason Downes is one of the hottest young clarinettists
in Australia, while impressive multi-instrumentalist Michael McQuaid
is reminiscent of Aussie jazz greats such as Tom Baker. Ian Smith
is renowned as one of the greatest washboard players and his driving
drumming and sweet vocals always entertain. Regular attenders
at 'friends' concerts will remember outstanding performances from
Michael McQuaid and Jason Downes as members of The Red Hot Rhythmakers
from Australia who visited us in July 2008.
Personnel:
Michael McQuaid, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, leader of the
band and an expert on the jazz of the 20's/30's. Falling in love
with the music while still young he has been leading bands since
the age of fifteen. A highly sought after musician he has a polished
stage presence and leads the band with flair. He is a mad collector
of vintage instruments and recordings, but claims he can stop
anytime he wants!
Jason Downes, clarinet, saxophone, started playing in Australia
but really made a name for himself during his stay in London where
he played in Allen Beechey's Bright Stars Of Jazz. Since returning
to Melbourne in 2003 he continues to ignite performances with
his energetic playing. Also blessed with the gift of the gab,
a talent developed during his career as a teacher and recruitment
consultant.
Liam O'Connell, guitar,banjo. Mark Elton, double bass, tuba.
Ian Smith, drums, washboard, vocals.
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FRIDAY AUGUST 13th
ROSSANO SPORTIELLO TRIO
At 8pm
Tickets £13 (Members £11) |
 Personnel:
Rossano Sportiello, piano; born in Vigevano, Italy on 1st June
1974 and started performing professionally at the age of sixteen
at venues in the Milan area. In 1992 he joined one of Europe's historic
jazz bands, the 'Milano Jazz Gang' touring with the group throughout
Italy and West Europe until the end of 2000. In the same year Rossano
met legendary jazz pianist and educator, Barry Harris, who became
a mentor and good friend, Barry has touted Rossano as 'the best
stride piano player' he has ever heard and on several occasions
has invited Rossano to play during his own performances. Stylistically,
although international critics consider Rossano a follower of Ralph
Sutton, Dave McKenna and Barry Harris, the influence of other great
masters can be heard in his playing, such as Fats Waller, Teddy
Wilson, Art Tatum, Earl Hines to name a few. Rossano was introduced
as a soloist by trombonist/arranger Dan Barrett and drew international
acclaim at the 2002 Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland while performing
with the eight piece band led by Barrett. After further appearances
at Ascona he received in 2009 the Ascona Jazz Award in recognition
of his expertise and mastery of jazz piano, in particular stride
piano. He made his first visit to the USA to perform at the 2003
'March of Jazz' party in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Following his
marriage to American writer Lala Moore in 2007 he established himself
in New York City and has performed with the finest jazz luminaries
at many of the most prestigious festivals and jazz parties throughout
America. In UK he has starred at festivals in Edinburgh and Nairn
and at the Blackpool and Norwich jazz parties. He has recorded four
solo piano CD's and two duet CD's with bassist/singer Nicki Parrott.
Pic: Paul Dunleavy |
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 Dave
Green, bass; born London 1942, started on tea chest bass in
local skiffle group before buying his first double bass at age fifteen.
After performing at local gigs he turned professional in 1963 and
worked with the Don Rendall Quintet until 1969. In 1965 he joined
the Humphrey Lyttelton Band for a stay of eighteen years whilst
also managing to play with Stan Tracey and visiting American musicians
including more recently as part of the Scott Hamilton Quartet. He
has worked in all styles of jazz and more recently spent time in
the Big Chris Barber Band, a frequent and always welcome participant
at Hanley Castle High School concerts.
Pic: Bruce Lindsay
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Steve Brown, drums;
born Manchester 1968, started drums at age fifteen and has become
one of the most sought after drummers in the country. In the early
nineties he studied in New York with Carl Allen and John Riley. Moved
to London in 1996, made his first recording that year and now has
accompanied many visiting American musicians including Kenny Davern,
George Masso and Warren Vache. Also part of Scott Hamilton's Quartet
since 2000 and can be heard on recordings by Stacey Kent, Dave Newton
and Alan Barnes. Another regular at 'Friends' concerts.
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17th
'Ken Colyer Lives' with THE SPIRIT OF COLYER and special guest THOMAS
'SPATS LANGHAM'
At 8pm Tickets
£13 (Members £11)
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| What do international jazz
stars Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, Monty Sunshine and Sammy Rimington,
not forgetting skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan, have in common? All
five, and many more besides, played for the same inspirational bandleader
at the start of their careers. That bandleader was British trumpeter
Ken Colyer, born in 1928, who did more than anyone else to bring New
Orleans jazz to Europe. By 1988, the year of his untimely death, Ken
Colyer was hailed by followers of New Orleans music all over the world
as 'The Guvnor'. The Spirit of Colyer is a recent band brought together
to celebrate Ken Colyer's music, rekindling the excitement of the
bands he led in his prime. Ray Smith and Bill Cole are two members
of the band who played regularly with Ken Colyer. The band is led
by Norman Thatcher, Ken's longstanding disciple and friend, who spent
ten years after Ken's death leading the Ken Colyer Trust New Orleans
Jazz Band. Joining the band as special guest for this concert is the
brilliant instrumentalist and entertainer, Thomas 'Spats' Langham.
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Personnel:
Norman Thatcher, trumpet; Brian Carrick, clarinet, saxophone; Tom
Whittingham, trombone; Ray Smith, piano; Bill Cole, bass; Pete Winterhart,
drums; Sarah Thatcher, banjo; Thomas 'Spats' Langham, banjo, guitar,
ukelele, vocals. |
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FRIDAY OCTOBER 8th
KEN PEPLOWSKI QUARTET
At 8pm
Tickets £14 (Members £12) |
Pic: Paul Dunleavy |
Personnel:
Ken Peplowski, clarinet, tenor saxophone; born Cleveland, Ohio
in 1959. 'When you grow up in Cleveland playing in a Polish polka
band you learn to think fast on your feet' says Ken, who played his
first pro engagement when still in elementary school. Ken and his
trumpet playing brother, Ted, made many local radio and TV appearances
and played for Polish dances and weddings virtually every weekend
through high school. By the time he was in his early teens he was
experimenting with jazz by playing in school 'stage' bands and also
jamming with local musicians. After a year at college, Ken Joined
the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Tommy Morrow, learning
the discipline that goes with playing one-nighters every day for 48
weeks of the year. |
| He also met Sonny Stitt during
this time, studied with him and described him as an inspiration to
all who make a living on the road. In 1980 Ken moved to New York and
was soon playing in all kinds of settings from Dixieland to avant-garde
jazz. In 1984 Benny Goodman came out of retirement with a new band
hiring Ken to play tenor sax. He says 'I love all kinds of music,
if something interests me I try to put my own spin on it without thinking
or worrying about playing in any particular style. Basically I like
a challenge, I'm a sucker for a good melody and I love playing for
audiences big or small'. And he has certainly achieved these goals,
be it small clubs, the Hollywood Bowl, headlining in Las Vegas, the
Newport Jazz Festival, European festivals or at home in NYC doing
everything from playing on the soundtracks to Woody Allen movies to
taking the role of music director for interactive French and Italian
cookbooks ('Menus and Music'). |
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Pic: Bruce Lindsay
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Pic: Bruce Lindsay
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John Pearce, piano; born Essex 1941. Had classical piano
lessons from the age of eight until fifteen and became interested
in jazz as a twelve year old. He played his first gigs locally in
Essex before turning professional in 1968 working in Geraldo's Navy
aboard the Carmania and then joined the QE2 for her maiden voyage
to New York in 1969. He had a long association with the liner and
accompanied an array of cabaret artistes. From 1975 to 1985 John
was a member of the Ray Ellington Quartet and during the same period
became a regular session player working with the BBC Radio Orchestra,
Jack Parnell's Orchestra, Robert Farnon, Billy May as well as touring
with the James Last Orchestra. His jazz work has taken him all over
the world and he has accompanied a multitude of instrumentalists
and singers including Kenny Davern, Warren Vache, Anita O'Day and
Peggy Lee. He has been a member of Scott Hamilton's Quartet since
2000 and is one of the UK's most respected and versatile musicians.
Dave Green, bass; born London 1942, started on tea chest
bass in local skiffle group before buying his first double bass
at age fifteen. After performing at local gigs he turned professional
in 1963 and worked with the Don Rendall Quintet until 1969. In 1965
he joined the Humphrey Lyttelton Band for a stay of eighteen years
whilst also managing to play with Stan Tracey and visiting American
musicians including more recently as part of the Scott Hamilton
Quartet. He has worked in all styles of jazz and more recently spent
time in the Big Chris Barber Band, a frequent and always welcome
participant at Hanley Castle High School concerts.
Steve Brown, drums; born Manchester 1968, started drums
at age fifteen and has become one of the most sought after drummers
in the country. In the early nineties he studied in New York with
Carl Allen and John Riley. Moved to London in 1996, made his first
recording that year and now has accompanied many visiting American
musicians including Kenny Davern, George Masso and Warren Vache.
Also part of Scott Hamilton's Quartet since 2000 and can be heard
on recordings by Stacey Kent, Dave Newton and Alan Barnes. Another
regular at 'Friends' concerts.
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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12th
HOOTIE and the GANG
At 8pm
Tickets £14 (Members £12) |
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This new eight piece band assembled and arranged by trombonist
Paul Munnery features the music of 1920's/30's Kansas City made
famous by the territory bands of the American south west including
the bands of Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Jay McShann (whose nickname
'Hootie' the band has borrowed) and Jimmy Witherspoon amongst others.
Along with the blues based and riff driven rhythmic swing trademark
sounds from this important place in American jazz history, there
will be snippetts of information on the players and the places that
helped create the music, including such star soloists as Lester
Young, Hot Lips Page and the young Charlie Parker. Joining the line-up
will be special guest Matthias Seuffert from Germany, one of the
most talented clarinet and saxophone players in Europe today and
now well known in the UK from his festival appearances at Bude and
Keswick.
Personnel:
Paul Munnery, trombone, slide guitar; Ceri Williams, trumpet; Matthias
Seuffert, reeds; Mike Wills, reeds; Martin Litton, piano; Rachel
Hayward, guitar, trombone, vibraphone; Tony Sharp, bass; Rod McNamara,
drums.
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 11th
GEORGE HUXLEY'S ALL STAR JAZZ BAND with CAZ SHENNINGTON - CHRISTMAS
PARTY
At 8pm inc. buffet supper served 8.50pm
Tickets £16 (Members £14) |
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George Huxley's All Star Jazz Band is acclaimed as one of our finest
traditional jazz bands, headlining at festivals and events throughout
the UK. George excels on clarinet and soprano saxophone with the
latter frequently compared to the legendary Sidney Bechet.
Caz Shennington has been singing with the band for over twenty
years and has gained many fans with her charismatic interpretation
of jazz standards and blues.
Joining the band for this evening is guest trumpeter Andy Woon
(regular trumpeter Gordon Whitworth is unavailable). Andy's mastery
of trumpet and cornet owes much to a stint in the Royal Artillery
Band and he worked for the Bernard Delfont Organisation for a few
years in the pit band accompanying Danny La Rue, Jimmy Tarbuck,
and Little and Large to name a few. However his first love is jazz
and he is much in demand on the festival circuit including with
his own band Andy Woon's Vintage Five.
Personnel:
George Huxley, clarinet, soprano and alto saxophone; Andy Woon,
trumpet, cornet; Ron Hills, trombone; Jon Penn, piano; Barry Norman,
drums; John Fellows, bass; John Noddings, banjo; Caz Shennington,
vocals.
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Facilities at concerts include licensed bar, tea/coffee
free of charge, club style & tiered seating
(except Christmas Party – all at tables).
Easy parking and level access to all facilities. Seats unreserved
(except large parties by arrangement), doors open 1 hour before
start of concerts.
Hanley Castle High School (WR8 0BL)
is in Church End (cul-de-sac) off B4211 approximately 1 mile north
of Upton-upon-Severn.
For membership details, tickets
or advance reservations contact Paul Lawrence (Sec.)
Court Cottage, Lockeridge Lane, Upton-Upon-Severn, Worcester, WR8
0RP
TEL. 01684 593794
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