The BoningtonThe Bonington
This month Jazz in the Bar goes continental with a programme of French influenced jazz.
We welcome back jazz violin virtuoso Jim Walker who impressed everyone on his previous appearance.
Jim’s playing is influenced by Stephane Grappelli and he has a wide repertoire of French inspired jazz.
He will be accompanied by the incomparable Bob Hudson Trio who will also perform their own feature numbers.
Expect a night of finger snapping toe tapping jazz…
Nicholas Martin first started playing the piano at age eight. Even at this tender age he knew music was to be the foremost interest in his life! His career in music began in 1981 when he became one of the youngest resident organists, at seventeen years old, to play the Wurlitzer at the famous Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.
During the 1982 Blackpool season he was overheard playing the Wurlitzer by Nigel Turner (a Northamptonshire entrepreneur). So, through Blackpool, the “seeds were sown” for his musical future, as in 1983 he became the resident Wurlitzer organist at “Turner’s Musical Merry-Go-Round” a new entertainments centre at Northampton. He remained there for the next twenty-one years playing on the former Paramount Newcastle Wurlitzer organ.
As the “Turner’s” resident organist he recorded several best-selling albums. Following the closure of “Turner’s” in 2004 Nick became the Musical Director at Wicksteed Park (Kettering, Northants.), where he remained for four years until Dec. 2008.
Since then Nick has been a touring musician performing to the many organ and keyboard societies and clubs that are situated around the country.
Presented by the Nottingham Organ Society
Get Carter | Re-imagined is a fast-paced, new interpretation of Roy Budd’s classic jazz score for this classic gangster movie starring Michael Caine!
These new arrangements, along with some original compositions in the same genre, take us into the film-noir thriller atmosphere of the ’50s British underworld.
Commissioned by the Ted Lewis Society in honour of the namesake novelist behind the cult film Get Carter Re-imagined had its premiere at the 2021 Hull Jazz Festival, the 50th anniversary of the film. Budd’s soundtrack has some instantly recognisable pieces. New arrangements and original compositions are by Kirkland and Sprakes.
Enjoy an evening of moody noir-music linked with this cult film classic!
Wendy Kirkland – Hammond-influenced keyboards | Dennis Rollins |Pat Sprakes – guitar | Steve Wyndham – drums
Jazz in the Bar’s guest this month is jazz vocalist Mandy Tatton who sings beautiful swinging jazz steeped in the influences of Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.
A regular vocalist with the Nottingham Jazz Orchestra she performs with a number of bands and has worked with famed British jazz singer Lee Gibson.
She will be backed up by the superb Bob Hudson trio who will also perform their own feature numbers to deliver a night of toe tapping finger snapping jazz.
Many regard the late Stan Tracey as part of the UK’s ‘jazz royalty’, a jazz pianist and composer whose career spanned decades as soloist, band leader and pianist for the house band at Ronnie Scott’s backing a galaxy of international jazz stars.
Stan struck up a lasting friendship with fellow pianist / composer Maltese national Sammy Galea, starting in the 1950s. A generation on, their musician sons – drummer Clark Tracey and pianist Dominic Galea – are good friends and work together, latterly producing their Legacy Quintet album.
We’re delighted to welcome the Tracey/Galea Legacy Quintet in a musical tribute to their late fathers. Great melodies, of course, with lots of swing and passion from a taut line-up. In addition to piano and drums, the Quintet features two horns – alto & baritone saxes from maestro Alan Barnes and trumpet and flugelhorn from Mark Armstrong, as well as the vibrant double bass of Arnie Somogyi. Sadly, Dominic is not available for this gig and his place is ably ‘depped’ by pianist Gareth Williams.
Expect an uplifting tribute to the music of their late fathers and the rich legacy they handed down to their sons.
Watch a video of the Tracey/Galea Legacy Quintet perform at the 2022 Malta Jazz Festival
The compositions [written by Galea and Tracey Snr] are all exceptional and delivered with an authority that is immediately attention grabbing and does not let up until the last note fades. – Jazz Views
Clark Tracey…one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today – The Times
PS – It’s worth mentioning that many in our Jazz Steps audience hold a special fondness for Stan Tracey who performed with his band de jour at our inaugural gig at the Bonington in 1997. We chose to feature Stan on the cover of our book The Jazz Steps Story, available to buy at our gigs!
Clark Tracey – drums | Alan Barnes – alto & baritone saxes | Gareth Williams – piano | Mark Armstrong – trumpet & flugelhorn | Arnie Somogyi – bass
Scroll down on Yolanda’s website and you see: Mum, bassist, session musician, songwriter, band member, occasional producer, poet, nature lover and novice gardener. Refreshingly lovely!
Project pH features a diverse range of musical styles, including beautiful ballads, heavy funk-fusion instrumentals, and modern R&B-influenced soulful tunes. Their musical variety has drawn comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, Prince, Yes, and Return to Forever – as well as Don Blackman, John Scofield, and even the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Yolanda is well-known to music fans and industry professionals worldwide. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music. She has spent her career performing live with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, and Paul Weller, as well as recording with BB King, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, and Queen, to mention a few.
Yolanda’s new band Project pH has the dynamic and versatile Laurie Lowe on drums, known for his work as part of the Preston, Glasgow & Lowe trio as well as a myriad of names in the UK jazz scene. Pianist Hamish Balfour brings a wide range of experience as a composer and arranger. His training in both classical & jazz and as a dance music producer, gives him the perfect mix of skills for the band sound. Guitarist Nick Linnik provides a stunning display of highly compelling soloing as the newest member of the band.
The band presents its music with intricately arranged elements that allow unprepared moments to emerge, with a nod or glance signalling accents or arrangement changes. The interplay and rhythmic possibilities are numerous, which allows the musicians to enjoy a highly creative experience.
Yolanda Charles – bass | Laurie Lowe – drums | Hamish Balfour – keyboard | Nick Linnik – guitar
Popular organist Robert Davies will play a new and varied concert programme featuring music from great musicals, light classics, ballads and stirring marches, along with music from the 60’s and 70’s. An eclectic collection from Bach to the present day.
Presented by the Nottingham Organ Society
Jazz in the Bar’s guests this month are John Sanderson and Sue Benson. John plays fluently on all the saxes and flute with a silky smooth swinging sound on ballads and jazz standards. Sue adds her expressive vocals to the mix, and joins Bob for a couple of vocal duets.
With the fab Bob Hudson Trio accompanying and doing their own feature numbers it will be a night of toe tapping finger snapping jazz!
In January 1959 Buddy Holly began a string of dates in the American Mid-West ‘The Winter Dance Party Tour’, this tour included Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, Dion & The Belmont’s and of course Buddy Holly himself. Sixty-four years on from what would prove to be Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & Big Boppers last tour – ‘Buddy Holly’s’ Winter Dance Party Show will celebrate the music of the three Icons of Rock n Roll along with Dion & The Belmont’s hits too.
Hit after Hit from Buddy’s earlier songs ‘Blue Days Black Nights’ and ‘Rock Around with Ollie Vee’, to ‘True Love Ways’ and ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’. Big Bopper, ‘Chantilly Lace’ & ‘Running Bear’, Ritchie Valens, ‘La Bamba’ & ‘Let’s Go’. Dion, ‘The Wanderer’ & ‘Run Around Sue’ hit after hit they just keep coming.
From authentic attire along with Buddy’s Stratocaster Guitar, the attention to detail will have you believing you are back in 1959, a show not to be missed!
All driven by the fabulous Counterfeit Crickets Rock n Roll Band
Will Rock n Roll in Arnold ever Die? That’ll be the Day!
Nottingham’s very own Brett Wales takes to the stage for the Nottingham Organ Society’s January show!