Dear Jazz Friends
A very happy New Year to everyone! Thanks for continuing to subscribe to this occasional newsletter, and a warm welcome to the new subscribers.
The Sunset Cafe band starts the year this Wednesday (3 Jan) at Sherborne Cheap Street church. We're premiering a special programme "1924: The Year Jazz Got Hot!". There'll be jazz standards which have lasted 100 years, and some rarities which didn't!
I'd like to remind you that you can read Pete Middleton's entertaining blog posts on the Sunset Cafe website here
Raymond Wood and I have been busy putting together another great programme of concerts at the Sherborne venue for 2024. On 28 Feb I'll be welcoming Michael McQuaid, a young Australian clarinettist who has made a massive impact on the London classic jazz scene over the last few years. He's also taken a leading role in the musical direction of the Whitley Bay festival, arguably the top event in the UK calendar for 1920s/30s jazz aficionados. Michael is a lively personality too, so a fascinating evening is ensured.
Before that, on 20 Jan, I've been invited to play again at the Brownsword Hall, Poundbury. I've really enjoyed these well-attended events (even the chilly outdoor one during the pandemic!). This time my programme is "From Jelly Roll to Rock'N'Roll" so please expect to hear numbers from Mr J-R Morton (the self-styled originator of jazz), some R&B piano from Fats Domino and a whole lot in between, with stories about the characters involved.
Here's something different on 7 February - a one-hour, late-morning concert of solo ragtime at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester. Free admission (donations invited). I played several like this a few years ago when Dorchester Museum used to hold lunchtime concerts. They were very popular and I hope this one will be too!
In March, I have two weekend dates at the delightful Tincleton Gallery, near Dorchester. On the Friday, after his great reception last year, top-class reeds player Trevor Whiting will guest; we'll have a new programme derived from Sidney Bechet, Johnny Hodges, Bennie Goodman and other fine players of that era. On the Saturday, I'll be sharing the piano with boogie-woogie maestro Julian Phillips; he's performed in Germany, France, the USA. This'll be his first visit to Tincleton!
More gigs and more details in the lists below, and also on my website
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Mike
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