Wolverhampton

 



 

 A New CD
I am delighted to be the first in the country to place the music of Carole Westwood and The Archie Cotterell Trio on my web page.
This is their second CD and is even better than their first. This is number 14 of 17 tunes, and is just a taste.
The full trio are Carole, vocals. Archie Cotterell, keyboard. Derek Brown, bass and Barry Watts, drums.
To purchase the CD please contact Carole 01746 710640 or
Barry 07731 900442 price £10-00. or better still go to one of their gigs.
If you are on dialup please allow time for loading, the first download may stop briefly, but should be OK when you play the second time. Quality of music is limited by file size so please do order the CD.

Broadband users should have no problems
Note. this is a wma file and will play in windows media player.

 

As one would expect of a large town there are many places where jazz is on offer. I would expect the best known venue is The Trumpet at Bilston situated in Bilston High Street and presents jazz seven days a week.               
It has some fine Beer at very resonable prices 

  
Just pick your night and go                                                               


Start time for all Gigs 8-30pm. Get there early if you want a seat!

THE TRUMPET Bilston
01902 493723

THE TRUMPET
******************
July Bands

Tuesday 1st Vendredi13
Wednesday 2nd Casablanca 5
Thursday 3rd Style Unlimited
Friday 4th Swing Parade
Saturday 5th Andy Hamilton and The Blue Notes
Sunday 6th Bryn Venus Trombone Summit
Monday 7th Reg & Musti
Tuesday 8th Steve Pacitto Band
Wednesday 9th Patsi Fuller Band
Thursday 10th Carole Westwood with The Archie Cotterill Trio
Friday 11th Swing Parade
Saturday 12th The Blue Toones
Sunday 13th Nameless (Blues & Rhythm Blues )
Monday 14th Reg & Musti
Tuesday 15th Debbie Arthurs & Nick Gill
Wednesday 16th Mercia Jazz 5
Thursday 17th Style Unlimited
Friday 18th Swing Parade
Saturday 19th Old Comrades
Sunday 20th Fret & Fiddle
Monday 21st Reg & Musti
Tuesday 22nd Stan Davis Quartet
Wednesday 23rd Mell Hill + 4
Thursday 24th Trevor Emeny Band
Friday 25th Swing Parade
Saturday 26th Martinique Jazz Band
Sunday 27th Henry Newman Quartet
Monday 28th Reg & Musti
Tuesday 29th Dutch Lewis Quartet
Wednesday 30th Mike Turner Band
Thursday 31st Style Unlimited

 

www.trumpetjazz.org

 

 

 
The Bonded Warehouse
Canal St
Stourbridge


************************************************
Friday 18th July

SIMON DEELEY TRIO
With special guest
CHRIS GUMBLEY
(alto and baritone saxes)

 

This outstanding and highly accomplished musician is without doubt one of the Midlands' finest performers. Renowned for his brilliant and highly charged performances.

 

Admission £7 Students and under -16's £3.50

***********************

All gigs start at 7-30pm

Tel 01384 395216
 

 Halesowen Cricket Club
Dog Kennel Lane (A456/A459 Junction)
'Jazzers'
Sunday Night Jazz – 8.30 – 11.00
Admission: £4 on the night

July

13th
Summer Ball From Germany
with

The Bourbon Street Stompers

(Tickets Only)

£6-00

Tickets £4.00 on the door

8.30 to 11pm

 

Enquiries: Trevor (0121-550-6335)
Bar Car Park Dancing

  Jazz at

The Cartway

Bridgnorth

 
Lunch Time Jazz

TBA
12-30pm to 3pm

 

 

 

Sorry to say Landlord has left

No more Jazz What a pity



The Falcon Hotel
Lowtown
Bridgnorth

Bars with a selection of real ale,
Restaurant, Accomodation also available.

Have a great Saturday night

Tel 01746 763134

 


 
Click on pictures to enlarge


Carole Westwood vocals.

Annie Rees-Jones. flute.
Chris Woodley. guitar
Doug Mc Kendrick. Bass

 The Falcon Hotel
Lowtown
Bridgnorth

Jazz at The Falcon

Following the successful Bridgnorth Jazz Festival, the Landlady, with the assistance of Tim Lord the promoter of the festival, has now started a Saturday night programme of jazz Duos, Trios and Quartets.

It was pleasure to visit this very nice hotel last Saturday 12th Jan to see The Carole Westwood trio but, due to illness, a change had to be made and Carole brought her other trio Loose Endz
We were not sure what to expect as Carole stated it was not a jazz group. However, we need not have worried, as they played with quality and style. I can only put the music under the banner of modern folk. It was quite obvious from the start that the group had rehearsed as the vocals were not from the standard song book. The quality of sound produced by Chris Woodley on guitar and, so well supported by Doug Mc Kendrick bass, was excellent. However, added to this sound was the wonderful flute of Annie Rees-Jones (What a delight) I am sure Carole could not wish for better. The gig started at 8-30 and we were still there at 11pm. That's how good it was !


 

 

 

 

The Cartway

Bridgnorth

 

September 30th 2006
Charlie Wright tenor & Paul Sawtell piano.

 

Charlie Wright

 

Charlie & Paul.
Note Pauls Crown on the hook !

Paul Sawtell


click on pictures to enlarge

I am not a great fan of afternoon jazz, but Tim Lord promoter of Bridgnorth Jazz had booked a gig at the Black Boy pub that I did not wish to miss.
Paul Sawtell and Charlie Wright are two musicians whose style and true ability to produce fine jazz are a delight.
Throughout the two sets they produced a good programme of well known standards with fine interpretation
The audience were hushed when Charlie played a very slow number of Stardust. What a treat. Paul,as ever, was his usual self, never lacking style or support for Charlie.
A very good lunchtime gig indeed. I will look forward to more of the same at the Bridgnorth Festival.

 The Bridgnorth Jazz Festival
27th to 29th October
The Bridgnorth Jazz Festival has proved a considerable success with some outstanding jazz. The Liane Carroll concert on the Friday can only be described as magical. It was a near capacity audience and superb value at ten pounds a ticket. Archie Cotterell was at the gig describing Liane as 'an international level star"
This is the fourth Bridgnorth Jazz Festival and each year the weather has held fine. This certainly helps with a Jazz Trail. This year we had eight locations one of which was in Low Town at the Falcon Hotel. The trail proved popular with all our tickets being sold by 11.15 am on the day.
We had booked and planned for a final session running into an 'all star jam session' at the Crown. At the last minute the Crown cancelled due to a preferred football match on the day. We consequently had to split the jam session over two venues, The Habit and the Bassa Villa. Unfortunately these were two smaller venues which limited our ticket sales. Just one of the problems in running a festival !!.
Keith Nichols and Enrico Tomaso proved an entertaining duo at Cinnamon.
It was good to see Dave Shepherd back in Bridgnorth.
There will always be a place in Bridgnorth for locals Carole Westwood and Archie Cotterell and their performance at the Basa Villa was played to a very full house.
Bruce Adams played with his inimitable style at the Habbit, well supported by Paul Sawtell. In the second set they were joined by Roy Williams. trombone and Erica Lyon, double bass which resulted in a very good gig.
The two theatre performances were well attended producing some very good jazz.
Although it was very hard work over a long period to set up, both Tim Lord and I felt it was all worthwhile and we are already laying plans for next year.
We would like to thank the many volunteers and helpers who assisted in our success, also our sponsers

Brennan & Wiseman Ltd
Builders & Landscapers.
Also
Tanners Wines Ltd
Shrewsbury
for their help in this promotion

Malcolm Wain.

Organizer Bridgnorth Jazz Festival

 

Large Car Park

Friendly and efficient staff

The Down is three miles from Bridgnorth on the Ludlow Road
B 4364

 The Down Inn
Ludlow Road
Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth Jazz presented

Digby Fairweather. trumpet
Craig Milverton piano. Erika Lyons bass. John Gibbon drums

This was my second visit to The Down for an evening of jazz presented by Tim Lord and Bridgnorth Jazz.
Digby, of course, is well known by us all and Craig is no stranger to me as it has often been my pleasure to hear him at The Masonic. Erika and John were new to me and my friends and we enjoyed their playing very much. Digby, as ever, has his own special way of presenting himself and the band and I must compliment him for working so hard to make the audience feel at home...
A good and varied programme was presented for the first set including a vocal (Tis Autumn) , together with This Can't Be Love, Some of These Days, Yesterdays and a very nice Trio number Time after Time.
The second set opened with Struttin with some Barbecue, followed by an up tempo version of Running Wild and some great playing by Digby. He gave us another vocal and quite a laugh (Roll over Beethoven ), you had to listen carefully to the lyrics. Then back to the Trio.with Craig and Erika in full flow and such great solo work well supported by John throughout. A final number to complete the evening, I Got It Bad and that Ain't Good, which ended a delightful evening of Jazz.
I was very disappointed with the support Tim and Malcolm got for this event as they are working so hard to bring jazz to Bridgnorth and make the Down the place to be for music. I do hope their next gig will have better support

Geoff Inwood
Friday February 24th

 

Excellent Carvery
£6.95

A Good Bar with a full selection of wines

Tel 01746 762670

 

 

 

 

 
Click to enlarge

 

 

 

 
 Another good evening's jazz at the Plough. Trevor Emeny was the star with the Archie Cotterell trio. Trevor is always a treat to listen to and is never over the top with interpretation, .his style is very much Stan Getz and you cannot say better than that. A good programme was played but a little more planning would not go admiss as, so often is the case with a small group.
An extra treat for me was that Carole Westwood arrived and was invited for a couple of numbers (nice one Trevor) The Trio, as ever, produced fine support for Trevor and of course each in turn produced some very nice solos.

 

 
Derek Brown

 

Guess who is behind the cymbal
Photos by Frank Meeson

 

Archie Cotterell

 

 

 

 

 

 The Bridgnorth Jazz Festival
28th October to 30th October

 

 

 


Liane, Roger Carey bass,
Greg Leppard. drums.

 


Ian Shaw. Guest guitar

 


Craig Milverton & Julian Stringle

First I must congratulate the organiser Tim Lord, along with his dedicated helpers, for producing a first-class festival.
For many months they will have planned and then replanned for these three days, and having attended some of the gigs I can assure them it was all worthwhile and do hope that it was also a financial success.

My first gig was on the Friday night at the Down Hotel, which proved to be an ideal venue. The star was Liane Carroll, a very fine vocalist, who accompanied herself on piano along with a trio, bass guitar, drums and Ian Shaw on guest guitar. Liane, as expected, gave a fine performance throughout and was much appreciated by a very good audience.

On the Saturday I hit the Jazz Trail, starting with vocalist Dee Daley and Roy Sainsbury on guitar - a great duo, who gave a fine performance.On the move again to the Black Boy where Craig Milverton and Julian Stringle were playing. Two nights before I had seen Julian at the Masonic and Craig about a month before that. I am sorry to say they were confined to a small bar but being the fine musicians they are, we were able to enjoy their programme. They were to move to Bass Villa for their next gig so it was time for me to catch a lift and move on to the Kings pub. Here was Brenda Scott with Paul Sawtell on piano. The place was packed but I just managed to find a space. It is quite some time since I heard Brenda but she did not disappoint and with Paul in fine form, it was very worthwhile. At this point it was time for me to leave and I am quite sure the rest of the programme was a great success.

Congratulations to Tim for featuring musicians from the Midlands, long this continue. There are lots more available.

Thank you Tim for bringing jazz to life in Bridgnorth and may I ask the many who attended these gigs to please continue to support jazz throughout the year.

Click on pictures to enlarge

 

 


The Quartet

 

 


Dee Daley & Roy Sainsbury

 


Brenda Scott& Paul Sawtell

 

 


 

 

 

 
Sue Greenway

 


Kevin Harcourt

 


The Leader

 The Bryan Jones Big Band
at
The Masonic

We were delighted that Mike Powell decided to bring Bryan and the lads to the Masonic. Many of us attend the Cricket Club at St Georges and have regular contact, but this in no way resulted in a low attendance.
The band, as always, was well presented and Bryan had prepared a good and varied programme, which delighted the audience throughout the evening. Ellington, Basie, Herman etc.
It was a nice surprise to see Sue Greenway, currently with The Syd Lawrence Band, leading the sax section and also another visitor Kevin Harcourt in the trumpet line up. Members of the band throughout the evening played some fine solos, but I just have to mention Kay McIntosh who just blew us all away.(wonderful)
It was also good to note that Bryan's solo work was appreciated, as so often I feel that this can be missed when so much is going on within the band. Arthur Brown was invited outfront with a few friends and, as ever, gave us a couple of trad numbers which made this break a great pleasure.
The evening ended with a much deserverd encore.
Bryan has now had the big band for some thirty seven years he tells us. The musicians come from far and wide to play for him, this says it all for the man, and fine musician that he is. Thank you Mike for putting this gig on and I know Bryan will be returning to the Masonic again.

Bryan will be at the St Georges Cricket Club Telford the third Tuesday in the month. Please come and join us and support the local jazz scene.

 
Kay McIntosh

 


Arthur Brown.trumpet

 


The Band

 

 

 

 
Mike Powell. Promoter

Mike Powell
Jazz at The Masonic
.

I regret to report that Thursday 27th October 2005 was the last time jazz will be presented at this venue.
What a disappointment this is, but I am sorry to say it is due to lack of support and nothing else.

Mike has worked so hard over these last few years to bring us some of the best musicians around, and I am at a loss to understand the lack of support.
I do hope that he still may put a gig on just now and again as we have no other venue in the area of this quality.

Many thanks from us all Mike.

Geoff Inwood

 

Alan Barnes

Julian Mark Stringle
tenor /clarinet
with
Paul Sawtell. Tom Hill. Neil Bullock

Julian Stringle could not have been a better choice as a finale to Jazz at the Masonic.
He had made an ideal programme for the evening and kept well in touch with the audience, presenting a good mix of jazz that included some very nice Goodman pieces.
With the great trio that we have become so used to here, this really was jazz at its best once again.

 

 


 Jazz At The Masonic Sept 2005

The Craig Milverton Quartet
with
Alex Garnet reeds.
Tom Hill bass. Nick Milwood drums.

This was the start of the season for Mike Powell and, although Craig is well known to most of us, Alex was the unknown quantity so we were not quite sure what to expect.
However with the opening number 'Love for Sale', which lasted some 15 minutes, we were left in no doubt what a fine young musician he is and, on completion of the first set, it was obvious that Coltrane was an influence on his style.

I felt this showed through very much in the number 'Another You'.The trio of Craig,Tom and Nick were in great form and, I guess, Alex was delighted to play with such fine professional musicians.

Each in turn provided great solos and as a quartet were a delight to watch and hear.

Alex played the tenor for the first set and I am sorry I did not get a picture. I would also like to compliment him for his smart attire.

One small note for Craig, quite a number of the audience commented on too many drum solos, albeit how good they were.

This was a very good evening's jazz but, once again, I do have to say we need more bums on seats if it is to continue, so please find a friend to bring for the next gig in October
Geoff Inwood

Click on pictures to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 


Tom Hill

 Masonic Jazz Promoted by Mike Powell

Alan Barnes reeds
Paul Sawtell piano. Tom Hill bass. Neil Bullock drums.

It was good to have Alan back in Wolverhampton once more, we have long awaited this occasion in no small part due to the very fine rhythm section which supported him.

Alan is well known for setting the audience at ease to start the proceedings and, as he warned, it would not be a slow start to drag proceeding out and so it was to be. The alto sax was much in evidence, but for me it is always the moment he picks up the baritone, with such a wonderful tone, and technique that I do enjoy.
On this occasion we were told of his recent purchase of a tenor sax and, from it's appearance a well crafted and mature product, which in his hands
soon proved its worth and ownership.A good programme of music was played throughout the evening much enjoyed and appreciated by all.

As ever Paul, Tom and Neil gave fine individual performances which we have come to expect of them, and the excellent support given to Alan..
We still need more bums on seats if Mike is to continue presenting jazz of this quality so do please tell your friends and get them to join you
Good to see and hear Alan Barnes again, do not miss him if he is in your area.
Geoff Inwood
Alans web site is www.alan-barnes.co.uk

 

 

 

 
Paul Sawtell

 
The Band
click on pictures to enlarge.
Most pictures supplied by
Frank Meeson


Neil Bullock

 

The new tenor sax

 


 

 Mike Powell and Jazz at the Masonic

Jimmy Hastings, reeds,
Paul Sawtell, keyboard Tom Hill, bass
Malcolm Garrett, drums and Roy Sainsbury, guitar

 A Review of a great evening's Jazz

I regret to say we had little or no knowledge of Jimmy Hastings before this evening. However, Roy Sainsbury with his introduction of Jimmy gave us some idea what we could expect, and we were not to be disappointed.
The opening number, Cantaloupe Island, was an excellent choice, and we soon realised what a fine musician Jimmy is. Playing tenor sax, clarinet and flute, he had laid out a programme which, I felt, was ideal and all the guys supporting him had their music. This gave a nice balance to the evening, some slow some fast and all of high quality, Bolivia, Jitterbug Waltz, and Early Autumn. The second set started with Sister Sadie, The Four Brothers, (very nice) Sometime ago etc, and, for me, the best of all just at the end Chic Corea's La Fiesta. Tom Hill led in on bass and from thereon the guys really got it all together producing jazz of the highest quality. The result was much applause and appreciation, but this was not the end and they finished with Blues for Jimmy at 11.15pm.
One other thing was Jimmy's wonderful ability to play some very long notes, which I understand involves breathing in through the nose, and out to the instrument at the same time, remarkable!
Tom Hill throughout the evening was at his very best, What a fine bass player he is! Paul, as ever, inventive and melodic throughout with such great support to soloists, a cord her
e, a note there which just gave a nice edge. Roy supporting and laying down the all-important rhythm. Then in the second set some very nice solo work. I have not seen a lot of Malcolm Garrett, but what a fine drummer he is and Jimmy gave him a couple of very nice spots, which showed him at his finest.
This was an evening by professionals and I enjoyed every moment. Do come again Jimmy and thank you Mike for another great evening of Jazz in Wolverhampton
Click on pictures to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Hastings

Jazz at The Trumpet

   

 

 The Archie Cotterell Trio
with
Mel Hill

                                             

I was reminded, rather late in the day by my good friend Brian Manders, that Archie and Mel were to be at the Trumpet this evening.With transport laid on and to the door. No problem!

The two words on the above programme Mel & Archie cannot relate to the quality of the players or the music,
so I really must report on this evening of high quality jazz. Mel, as many folks know, is a great front man and a fine musician, he has regularly played with this Trio which gel so well together. Some fine trumpet work was played in the mainstream throughout the evening, plus some very nice vocals all much appreciated by the clientele. Then there was Archie in fine form, what a treat it is to listen to such an accomplished keyboard man. I have said before that he has such a great technique and a complete understanding of the music and the guys with whom he plays. Delightful!
Mention must be made of the rhythm section with some very fine bass playing from Mick Gilligan, and drummer Tony Calldicott, who throughout the evening maintained a steady beat and some rather interesting solos when required.
The Trumpet has jazz on every night of the week and how they do this I do not know? But our journey from Shrewsbury was well worthwhile, and with beer at £1-50 a pint what more could one ask?
Below are a few photos of the evening, just click on them to enlarge.

Dont forget. Mels Jazz Beat Wednesday nights 7pm to 9pm Radio Stoke. Shropshire.and Hereford. Always worth a listen.
Geoff Inwood.

             

     


 

 

 

The Connaught

Jazz at The Connaught

I regret to say that Cath Duffy who has promoted Jazz at The Connaught, has now left us to live in Spain.
I am sure you would wish me to thank her for all the fine presentations we have enjoyed these past years, and wish her and Terry very happy times in Spain. 26-09-04

I am leaving the details and photo's on this page just to remind us how good the sessions were at The Connaught

 

 

Ron Drake with the Paul Sawtell Trio
Ron Drake tenor/clarinet
Paul Sawtell Keyboard
Bill Colman bass. Gary Randle drums.

An evening of jazz to savour.
I have seen Ron on the three occasions he has visited Wolverhampton these past 18 months, so expectations were high and we were not to be disappointed. What a fine musician this guy is.
The opening number 'O'Baby' was an excellent choice and set a good feeling for the evening. His fluent flowing melodic tenor can only remind me of Lester Young. If only others would try to follow!
In the second set with clarinet he played 'Memories of You' and at this point the name Benny Goodman came to mind, such was the quality of his playing and interpretation.
The Paul Sawtell Trio were so right for Ron. Paul compliments the musicians who he supports and, as always, produces some fine solo work himself. Bill Colman is a very fine bass player with a nice delicate touch. His solos also were well thought out and presented. Finally Gary Randell was the man to have on drums, knowing full well when to lay back with some fine brush work but, when needed, his wood work came across so well.

Thank you Cathy for promoting jazz of this quality. I know the audience loved it
Geoff Inwood


Here are a few pictures of a great evening. Click on to enlarge
 

 
Ron ,Paul, Bill & Gary.
 
     


Click on pictures to enlarge

 

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