Park SPEAKEASY items
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Mike Denham solo
Fri 2 Dec - Ilminster Arts Centre
Mike is one of the few British pianists who embrace all four early 20th century solo styles: ragtime, stride, blues and boogie-woogie. On this occasion Mike plays a programme which gives full rein to each one. It's inspired by the many jazz-age pianists (and other musicians) who shared the name Johnson. People like Chas L (composer of Dill Pickles Rag), Jaycee (Empty Bed Blues), James P (The Charleston), and Pete (Death Ray Boogie).
Spats Langham
1 June - Cheap Street Church, Sherborne
Tom "Spats" Langham is arguably the UK's leading jazz entertainer. He has performed 1920s and ‘30s jazz all over the world, as a soloist and with top bands including The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Chris Barber. He is renowned as one of the world’s finest banjo and guitar players, and his superb vocals are delivered in a style reminiscent of Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly.
Spats is an entertaining raconteur and his love for vintage jazz shines out in every performance.
Mike and Spats have duetted together on several occasions (notably whilst entertaining guests on a hotel barge floating down the River Seine).
A large audience enjoyed their last appearance at this venue. And there's a fine Steinway grand for Mike to enjoy.
Sunset Cafe Stompers - SpeakEasy Special!
13 Feb - Dorchester Arts Centre
A departure from the established SpeakEasy duet format, this special night at Dorchester will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mike’s band, the Sunset Café Stompers, a seven-piece band plus celebrated vocalist Hamish Maxwell which contains some of the UK’s top vintage jazz musicians!
Mike will duet with band members and you can expect the whole band to dip into their acclaimed repertoire of Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong and others.
"They must be one of the best territory bands in the country" - Just Jazz magazine
Trevor Whiting
Wed 19 Feb - Dorchester Arts
Trevor is one of the most in demand reed players on the British Jazz scene. He combines masterful, spontaneous improvisation with a rich sound that makes his lyrical playing both exciting and beautiful. He is equally secure playing classic jazz, blues, mainstream jazz and ballads. He is a self-taught musician who switched to the clarinet from the tenor horn on hearing the distinctive sound of Sidney Bechet as a teenager.
Trevor has toured the UK and Europe with the Chris Barber band. He was in Clare Teal’s band and featured on her early recordings. He also works with the Bateman Brothers band, whose recent album won the British Jazz Album of the Year award, and has enjoyed working and recording with visiting Americans including Al Casey, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Scott Hamilton, George Masso, Rande Sandke, Marty Gross, Greg Abate and Duke Heitger.
Tonight the duo will play the music of Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman and their contemporaries.
John Maddocks, Graham Smith
7 June - Ilminster Arts Centre (re-arranged from 1 Feb)
John Maddocks is one of the most popular clarinettists on the British traditional jazz scene. Initially inspired by New Orleans clarinettists George Lewis and Johnny Dodds, he developed his own unique style. His Black Bottom Stompers enjoyed huge success in London and since then he has led his south coast based Jazzmen to great acclaim.
Mike and John will be joined by the sensitive and dynamic vintage jazz drummer, Graham Smith - affording the not-to-be missed opportunity to revisit some of the Trio recordings of one of Mike's heroes, Jelly Roll Morton
Emma Fisk
Fri 5 May - Cheap Street Church, Sherborne
Very popular here after her last visit to Sherborne, Emma Fisk is a UK based jazz violinist, specialising in Hot Club/ Gypsy Jazz, Classic Jazz and Swing styles. She has received critical acclaim both for her spirited gypsy jazz performances, and her interpretations of early jazz violin master, Joe Venuti's music.
Emma's current projects include her Gypsy Jazz quartet 'Hot Club du Nord'; a Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang inspired duo with guitarist James Birkett; The Ushaw Ensemble led by Paul Edis and a violin/ piano duo with Paul Edis. She also appears as a guest soloist at jazz festivals and clubs and was a longstanding member of Gypsy Jazz quartet Djangologie with whom she toured and recorded c.2000-2015.
"a violinist with a dark rich tone, a love for melody, and a way of swinging without being syrupy"
Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives
Michael McQuaid
21 Nov - Dorchester Arts Centre
Michael McQuaid is one of a younger generation of musicians enthusiastically devoted to jazz and swing from the 1920s and 30s. He plays with remarkable energy, skill and originality. He performs on clarinet, saxophones, trumpet and even occasionally piano. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has established an international reputation.
McQuaid has toured the world as a featured artist and bandleader. He has performed with the contemporary greats of 1920s and 1930s jazz – Keith Nichols, Vince Giordano, Bob Wilber, Spats Langham, Andy Schumm, Bob Barnard, Jon-Erik Kellso, Martin Litton, Bent Persson, Duke Heitger, Geoff Bull, Josh Duffee and many more.
‘A rare talent!’ (Kevin Jones, Australian jazz writer)
‘A first-class jazz improviser…’ (Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives, New York, US)
Mike Denham solo
Fri 8 May - Ilminster Arts Centre
Responding to requests for another solo performance at Ilminster, Mike will play a programme celebrating the unlikely but hugely influential role of the Rent Party in 20th century jazz piano.
The 1920s rent party was a hot bed for the development of solo piano styles including blues, stride and boogie woogie. Hundreds of long-forgotten pianists competed for engagements (and public recognition) at these informal events. A few of them made the big time. Fats Waller, Earl Hines and Jimmy Yancey cut their teeth at rent parties in New York and Chicago.
Mike will play some of their well-known solo pieces, and some more obscure (but fascinating!) items in the style of Cripple Clarence Lofton, Art Hodes and others. It was, of course, the era of prohibition and high-profile gangsters, which will no doubt provide a wealth of material for Mike's acclaimed anecdotes!
Julia Titus
9 Feb'22 - Dorchester Arts
(This event was previously to be on 24 Nov)
Julia Titus is an actress, poet, singer and songwriter. Among her talents is the ability to convicingly put over the songs of that great blues & vaudeville singer of the 1920s, Bessie Smith.
Building on her passion for the 'Empress of the Blues', Julia started to perform as Ma Bessie in 2015, sharing the music of Ms Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation of listeners. Expect to hear classics including 'Careless Love', ‘Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out’, ‘Gimme A Pig Foot (And A Bottle Of Beer)’, and of course 'Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight', all delivered with verve and style.
Bessie Smith recorded many titles accompanied by pianists James P Johnson & Clarence Williams with trumpeters Joe Smith & Louis Armstrong. On this occasion Mike, at the grand piano, will be joined on trumpet by long-time colleage, Steve Graham.
This combination was a great hit at Ilminster Arts in 2019 - clips on YouTube.
Mike Denham solo
Sun 24 Oct - Ilminster
Dillington House
“RAGTIME PRODUCES HYSTERIA, INSANITY – ragtime is not music, it is a disease” claims doctor.
This ragtime-era headline celebrated the world’s first pop music craze, 100 years ago. Scott Joplin, the son of a slave, became the greatest of ragtime composers.
Great melodies, great stories about the musicians and the lives they led and, of course, that seductive ragtime rhythm.
Dillington present their 2nd Coffee Concert:
Piano Recital with Mike Denham, Scott Joplin & the Ragtime Professors.
Coffee from 10.45am
Concert 11.30am to 12.30pm
Optional lunch to follow
Info: www.dillington.com/learn/programme
Tel: 01460 258648
Mike Denham solo
Fri 17 March - Tincleton Gallery near Dorchester
Mike is one of the few British pianists who embrace the four early 20th C styles: ragtime, stride, blues and boogie-woogie. On this occasion Mike plays a programme which gives full rein to each one. It's inspired by the many jazz-age pianists (and other musicians) who shared the name Johnson. People like Chas L (composer of Dill Pickles Rag), Jaycee (Empty Bed Blues), James P (The Charleston), and Pete (Death Ray Boogie).
David Horniblow
Fri 28 July - Sherborne
David Horniblow is one of London’s top jazz clarinet and saxophone players. He has performed and recorded with all of the top British jazz names, from Chris Barber to Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum, as well as playing in West End shows such as Jersey Boys and Matilda. He is committed to the styles of the early jazz clarinet pioneers, including Johnny Dodds, Omer Simeon and Sidney Bechet, drawing on the energy, fluency and drive of that most exciting period of Jazz.
“Nothing short of spectacular” - MICHAEL STEINMAN – JAZZ LIVES. USA
Ben Cummings
Thu 5 Oct - Dorchester Arts Centre
World-class trumpet
Ben Cummings has played and recorded at top level in almost every genre from New Orleans and vintage jazz to soul, salsa and pop.
The evening's theme: Jazz Age Chicago, revisiting the music of the youngsters of the day: Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Earl Hines, Jimmy Yancey
John Maddocks, Nick Ward
Wed 25 Oct - Cheap Street Church, Sherborne
John Maddocks is one of the most popular clarinettists on the British traditional jazz scene. Initially inspired by New Orleans men George Lewis and Johnny Dodds, he developed his own unique style. His Black Bottom Stompers enjoyed huge success in London and since then he has led his south coast based Jazzmen to great acclaim.
Mike and John will be joined by the UK's leading exponent of vintage jazz drumming, Nick Ward - affording the not-to-be missed opportunity to revisit some of the Trio recordings of one of Mike's heroes, Jelly Roll Morton
Mike Piggott, Spats Langham
Wed 14 Dec - Corn Exchange, Dorchester
Mike welcomes two guests from the top of the jazz tree, both of whom revel in the jazz of the 1920s and 30s.
Piggott plays hot swing violin and guitar, Langham shines on vocals, guitar, banjo,
