Some idle moments surfing YouTube proved to be not so idle when I came across this wonderful performance from Oscar Peterson and Clark Terry… The unbridled joy of this playing provoked a deep response… All this talk about the death of jazz, oh dear. It’s time for a reality check and an appointment with ourContinue reading “Jazz isn’t dead and it doesn’t smell funny either!”
Category Archives: Bebop
They Think It’s All Over – not quite…. Geoff Simkins (and Dave Cliff) at Oliver’s tonight – plus sitting in
Last night of “Not the Olympics” at Oliver’s featuring Geoff Simkins Don’t let appearances deceive you. This one time drummer may have made early appearances with Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra and the Temperance Seven and his principal stylistic influences have been the American alto player Lee Konitz and tenor player Warne Marsh. However, according to the great British freeContinue reading “They Think It’s All Over – not quite…. Geoff Simkins (and Dave Cliff) at Oliver’s tonight – plus sitting in”
Lennie Tristano’s legacy is at Oliver’s tonight
Tonight’s featured artists are Martin Speake and Pete Hurt. In some folks’ minds, Lennie Tristano is arguably the most under-rated and unappreciated artists and innovators in the history of jazz. Tonight, the unsung genius is celebrated by two similarly undervalued British musicians – Pete Hurt and Martin Speake.Although Martin Speake is (unusually) visible in thisContinue reading “Lennie Tristano’s legacy is at Oliver’s tonight”
Women took the Bastille – now get into Greenwich and to Oliver’s
Tonight’s featured artist is Mark Lockheart. Mark Lockheart is not only a very old friend and co-consiprator in a number of musical settings dating back to 1979, but clearly one of the most distinctive and creative musicians on the current British music scene. As a saxophonist and composer, his work often defies categorisation andContinue reading “Women took the Bastille – now get into Greenwich and to Oliver’s”
Chick Corea and Gary Burton turn to Greenwich for Fashion, Jazz… and Nadatar
Tonight’s featured band is Simon Purcell’s “Nadatar”. Tonight’s band “Nadatar” is a reformation of a group from some time ago (a quartet with the alto saxophonist Mike Williams, bassist Ricardo Dos Santos and drummers Dave Wickins or Tom Gordon as well as the reclusive but brilliant trumpeter Paul Edmond). Now regrouped with Julian Siegel (saxophones),Continue reading “Chick Corea and Gary Burton turn to Greenwich for Fashion, Jazz… and Nadatar”
Simon Purcell 