Bluestone Road
30 November 2024

On Saturday 30 November we welcomed the Bluestone Road Blues Band, led by our committee member, Howard Goy, on drums, accompanied by Michael Walker (gtr/vcl), Dave Holness (gtr), Kevin Hulme (bass gtr), and Si Vix ( vcl/harmonica). It drew an attendance of 48 and, although many of these were guests, it was interesting to see that there were quite a few members, whose attendance would suggest that we do have some with more eclectic tastes than the die-hards who keep reminding me that we are a New Orleans club.

photo: John Banister

I must confess that my own inclination is very much towards the latter but a growing number of members seem to feel that some diversification is in our best interests if the club is to have a successful future. Given the dearth of traditional jazz bands in our area, we now rely heavily on the more expensive option of attracting them from elsewhere in the country, and unless and until attendances improve, it is not economically viable to do that for every Saturday of the year.

We are exploring a number of initiatives to encourage the formation of a new local jazz band but it will not happen overnight, so in the meantime it is likely that more of our alternate Saturdays will feature slightly different genres of jazz, without going to any extremes.

Back to the Bluestone Road band, nobody can argue that the blues were not an integral part of New Orleans jazz, courtesy of W C Handy et al, but perhaps the main difference between the way the blues were portrayed in those days and how they are now presented by groups preferring to be known as Blues Bands rather than jazz bands, is in the line-up. We purists grew up on a front line of clarinet, trumpet and trombone. Contrast that with Saturday’s three electronic guitars, a harmonica and drums.

Whatever the line-up, there is no denying that it is a genre that is played from the heart, and that was never more evident than on Saturday, especially in the case of young Michael Walker. Having just reached his 18th birthday, he is a very talented musician and he played like a true veteran, whilst his older colleagues generously gave him every chance to shine.

I was accompanied by relatives from Pembrokeshire, who thought it was a fantastic evening in terms of both the club atmosphere and the music. We were also joined by Cavan Collins from Lincolnshire Community Foundation, from whom we were last week awarded a £2,000 grant to help us make the club known to a wider audience.

Such has been the success of the last two Bluestone visits, that we have agreed to them using the club again on 4 occasions in the next year; dates to be announced in due course.

Next Saturday, 7 December, we have the ever-popular Golden Eagle Jazz Band, for which we have had several advance bookings, so if you plan to attend it may be advisable to contact Club Secretary, John Banister, to pre-book and ensure that you get a seat. Also, if you have not already done so, you can pick up your tickets for the Tad Newton gig at the Town Hall next April.

Happy listening

ND

Easy Riders
23 November 2024

On Saturday 30 November our old faithfuls, The Easy Riders, provided the entertainment, making it a fitting end to a week in which there were several exciting developments in the club.

We launched our new Events Diary page on our website, had another press release in the Louth Leader, and were offered space in the Louth Wind Orchestra newsletter to explain our current ambitions and see if any of their musicians would be interested in forming a much-needed additional trad jazz band in the local area.

We also purchased a Christmas tree which has been beautifully decorated in a jazz theme by Jill Stainton and Lyn Quigley for display at the St James’ Church Xmas Tree Festival which runs from 6th-11th December. Entry is free so do go and see it.

The highlight of the week though was news of a £2,000 grant made to the Jazz Club from the Ideas and Innovation Fund, administered through Lincolnshire Community Foundation. The grant is to help the Club to increase awareness of live jazz in Louth to a wider range of people. As part of this, we will stage 3 free jazz events at the club in 2025, as well as carrying out more marketing. Details to be announced shortly. Many thanks and congratulations to Louise Niekirk, who prepared the bid, which was submitted and approved in less than a week.

Our next gig will be a Blues Night with Bluestone Road on 30 November, followed by The Golden Eagle Jazz Band on 7 December (pre-booking applies), and by our Christmas event on 14 December, for which the £5 admission charge (non-members welcome at £8) will include a free drinks voucher that can be exchanged at the bar for any drink costing up to £3.50. Mince pies will also be served at the interval, and the music will be provided by The Easy Riders, making their last appearance of the year.

From January 2025 we aim to feature a wider range of bands on the weeks between the visiting band gigs, which means that we shall not see the Easy Riders quite so often – probably around 6 times during the year. It is not so much “goodbye” as “au revoir” to them, so please come along for this rather special evening to show our appreciation for the many years over which we have enjoyed our association with our amazing resident band.

Happy listening ND

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Washington Whirligig
16 November 2024

photo: John Banister

Saturday 16 November saw the return of the Barnsley group, Washington Whirligig, with David Hepworth on reeds, Liz Hepworth (bass and vocals), Andy Bramall (guitar, banjo and vocals), Rob Cotterill (drums), and Simon James guesting on trumpet.

With very little change to the line-up, these musicians have also played for us previously as The Roaring Twenties Jazz band. The difference is evident in the set list, with the Roaring Twenties group (as the name suggests) sticking more faithfully to the traditional New Orleans numbers, whilst the Whirligig also caters for those with more mainstream tastes.

video: John Stainton

48 attendees enjoyed a superb evening in which, for me, the highlight was That’s a Plenty at the end of the first set. It was also good to hear a few less familiar numbers, and the applause at the end of the evening suggested that we shall be pleased to invite them back in the not too distant future.

Ticket sales are already going well for the Tad Newton concert at the Town Hall on 5 April 2025, with a roughly equal split between existing members and people who have simply seen the publicity, so don’t delay and risk disappointment. Should you plan to buy your tickets at the club, our next three Saturday events are as follows:

23 November The Easy Riders Jazz Band.
30 November Blues Night with Bluestone Road
7 December The Golden Eagle Jazz Band (pre-booking advisable)

Happy listening!

ND (Chair)

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