Column
THE SNOWBOY JAZZ COLUMN (JUNE)
IN THIS MONTHS SNOWBOY COLUMN... THE GOOD FOOT STARTS, VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL UPDATE, ‘THE HIDEAWAY CLUB’ STREATHAM, SNOWBOY GIGS, JAZZ FM'S MIKE CHADWICK WINS AWARD, TOUR DATES & REVIEWS...
Frankly, I’ve had a fantastic month readers. It’s such an uncertain life I chose 30 years ago as a musician and a DJ – I could be touring the world for three months and then not have anything for six weeks after. It doesn’t hardly ever happen, but it HAS happened, and to hundreds and thousands of us around the world who’ve chosen the same path. So, I’m glad to say that a tour is already being organised for me next year with one of the world’s greatest Salsa singers guesting. I can’t say who yet but watch this space. As you may know, I’m the curator for the 40’s area at Vintage At Goodwood this August, there are two Jazz festivals in 2012 that I’m going to be programming, programming for a local arts centre and theatre, I have a new DJ residency (see below) and playing at some great festivals this year so I can’t complain. I need to get back in the studio and record some new material but the industry is in such a bad way I’m sort of sitting it out at the moment. I’ll see.
The editor, Lee, kindly tagged on a ton of Jazz festivals at the end of last months column. I have no idea where he found them as YOU festival organisers never inform me. If you want your jazz stuff plugged I’m here waiting!
‘THE GOOD FOOT’ STARTS JUNE 4th
As I mentioned last month: I’m very excited about my new residency every Friday night at Madame Jo Jo’s, Brewer Street, Soho, London and I’m counting the moments until we begin on June the 4th. It’s an honour to get into one of London’s most famous venues – and on a peak night too! The night is called The Good Foot and the music policy is floor-shaking 60’s and 70’s Deep Funk, Soul, Rare Groove, Boogaloo, Mambo and R&B. My DJ partner is the famous Healer Selecta – of Raison D’Etre fame. He’s known for his huge record collection and diverse taste, so it should be a lot of fun! The night runs from 10pm-3am. The admission is £8. This is the residency I’ve dreamt of so I hope you’ll come down and check it out. Actually, as the magazine gets an average of 650,000 readers a month we can’t fit you in. The club only holds 250. Where would we put you all?!
www.madamejojos.com
‘VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD’ UPDATE
Although not Black music, it’s exciting to see that The Faces are reforming especially to headline at this unique festival. This time they have..wait for it…Mick Hucknall on lead vocals! That’s one incredible scoop. Although I’m so proud to be curating the 40’s area The Torch, I’m frustrated that I can’t get to the Soul Casino – curated by Acid Jazz Records owner Eddie Piller. He has lined up one of the greatest bills of classic Jazz Funk DJ’s ever. Where else could you see Chris Hill, Colin Curtis, Ian Dewhirst, Norman Jay and Bob Jones all in one room in the same night? (and many, many more!). The content for the entire festival is actually quite overwhelming. It’s August the 13th to the 15th if you want to see history taking place. Unmissable.
vintageatgoodwood.com
‘THE HIDEAWAY CLUB’ STREATHAM
I had the pleasure of performing with my band at this new south London Jazz club this month, and WHAT a beautiful venue. The interior looks 1950’s jazz Club but it’s very contemporary at the same time. Steve Rubie – the owner of the famous London Jazz club The 606 in Chelsea books the bands so you know it’s going to be a winner. I really hope the venue being there is going to change the Jazz oasis in south London. It is much needed. Give this wonderful club your support.
hideawaylive.co.uk
SNOWBOY GIGS
Lot’s going on. As I type I am on the eve of the Greenwich Jazz Festival and am anticipating a great one. The focus for me in June, musician-wise, is playing at Glastonbury as a member of The Fantasy Funk Band. It’s a band that’s made up of musicians voted for by the listeners of Craig Charles incredible BBC Radio 6 Funk And Soul show Saturday's (7-10pm). I’m honoured to be in the band and they sound fantastic! For latest up-dates on the TFFB please go to...
myspace.com/snowboyandthelatinsection
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LATE NEWS...
JAZZ FM’s MIKE CHADWICK WINS AWARD
I am very proud to report that one of the nicest guys in the music industry, Jazz FM DJ and Presenter Mike Chadwick has received the silver Sony Radio Academy Award for the Southern Comfort Big Easy Show - a show dedicated to the music and the culture of New Orleans. Not only is Mike a long-time broadcaster dedicated to Jazz, but he‘s the booker for Manchester’s legendary venue The Band On The Wall and The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, Cumbria – two of the most important live venues in the north of England.
The show is saturdays at 8pm and available to listen again at www.jazzfm.com
MICHAEL ROSEN TOUR DATES
Michael Rosen and The Homemade Orchestra perform their collaborative project Nonsense. Former Children’s Laureate and post-modern classical/jazz ensemble unite in a playfully surreal show of music and words.
Sunday 13 June: Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, Surrey
Box Office: 0871 230 1552; Tickets: £10/£8 concs; Time: 4pm
Friday 2 July: Cleethorpes Jazz Festival, Memorial Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, South Humberside (TBC)
Box Office: 01472 873 730 / 01472 753 861; Tickets: Early Bird Weekend Tickets: advance £55 / door: £65; Day tickets: £28; Time: 2pm
michaelrosen.co.uk
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FESTIVAL'S IN JUNE
Here is a list of few of U.K festivals worth checking out over the Month of June...
Jazz Plus on the Embankment - Wednesday, June 02, 2010 alternativearts.co.uk/events
Spitalfields Festival - Friday, June 11, 2010
spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk
Aldeburgh Jazz Festival (Suffolk) - Friday, June 11, 2010 (4 days)
aldeburgh.co.uk
Lynton & Lynmouth Music Festival (Devon) - Friday, June 11, 2010 (3 days)
aldeburgh.co.uk
Thaxted Festival (Essex) - Friday, June 18, 2010 (4 weekends)
www.thaxtedfestival.org.uk
Glasgow International Jazz Festival - Friday, June 18, 2010 (10 days)
www.jazzfest.co.uk
Riverboat Jazz Festival (Denmark) - Thursday, June 24 (4 days)
riverboat.dk
Lichfield Jazz & Blues Festival (Staffordshire) - Thurs, June 24 (4 days)
riverboat.dk
Oliver Cromwell International Jazz Festival (Worcs) - Fri, June 25, (3 days)
www.uptonjazz.co.uk
Exeter Summer Festival - Friday, June 25, 2010
www.exeter.gov.uk
REVIEWS
Saravah Soul – Cultura Impura (Tru Thoughts)
What an incredible new direction this band have gone. This half Brasilian/half British group have made a unique album that would surely make a musical difference if they get noticed in Brasil (and I hope they do). It’s that strong. The group have crossed Fela Kuti’s Afro Beat from Nigeria with authentic Samba and lesser-known and folkloric Brasilian rhythms and instrumentation with a little 60’s big city Funk and it’s just seamless. Instead of the Afro-side of things being sung in Nigerian it is in the Portuguese Brasilian and it suits it perfectly. I liked their debut album a lot but was still not totally convinced with the authenticity of the Funk, but they are now already into a golden era with this second record. I haven’t heard anything like it before. They’ve got a perfect album on their hands. I will be surprised if anything betters this this year.
Diesler – Tie Breakers (Social Beats)
What is it this month? Yet another winner – emphatically so! I’ve always been a fan of Dieslers productions but on this new album he’s just gone on to another level. Really. From the opening Samba Funk of Samba Magic (with the wonderful Laura Vane) to Afro Beat and Broken Beat it all works so well together. It’s simply a journey through the left-field side of contemporary Black music. I wish I’d have had this for the recent Southport Dance Weekender. I could’ve played virtually every track. An instant DJ set for the lazy DJ’s out there. A complete winner from beginning to end.
The Ipanemas – Que Beleza (Far Out)
Here’s a group really that are almost beyond ctiticism. What would be the point? There is no one to compare them to. Although they’ve only made five albums in 48 years, this legendary band from Brasil (that crosses three generations) just deliver the most unique and sublime blend of Afro-tinged Samba that one could imagine. There are actually no imitators. Who would dare try and compete? Such an institution, Wilson Das Neves’ voice has gotten a little shaky in recent years but is still delivering with pure soul. The Afro element to their 'Afro Bossa' - style music is to the fore throughout, really giving the listener a unique and exciting experience.
Nat Birchall – Guiding Spirit (Gondwana)
In a way this CD is on oddity in this day and age. Understandably, given the current climate regarding the state of the music industry, most independent Jazz labels like this (owned by jazz trumpeter Matthew Halsall) are putting out commercial output to compete with the majors, but Gondwana have gone for brave content. This CD of six originals by the amazing British tenor Saxophonist Nat Birchall very much goes down the route of John Coltrane at his most experimental. Musically, it’s honest and soulful and swings when need be, and ultimately it’s fad-free. As always with the music of the Coltrane school there is no middle ground for the listener: you either love it or hate it. Either way, this music is the real reason that independent labels exist and always will do.
Til next time,
Snowboy
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Please feel free to contact me any jazz news that you feel would benefit others snowboy@bluesandsoul.com Thank you.
