sidewinder

‘Sweet Honey Bee?’

The one time I saw Pierre Dorge and his Denmark-based New Jungle Orchestra was when they were on tour through Western Canada. Very impressive - although I don’t think John Tchicai was in the lineup at that stage (mid-90s).

Bill - Simon and the Tubby Hayes Tribute Big Band were actually playing a festival in Wigan a week ago ! They are not to be missed, when you get the chance. Appearing in Scarborough in August I think. They kicked off the first half with a really storming ‘Dear Johnny B’. It was good to be attending live music without the recent restrictions again (although I missed Greg Abate due to the clash with Yazz Ahmed’s set and only caught 20 mins of an excellent sounding Alan Barnes Octet).

I caught Simon Spillett leading his Tubby Hayes Tribute Big Band last night. Original Tubby arrangements played with precision and power, sounding at least as good as the real thing ! Earlier in the day Trevor Watts ‘Eternal Triangle’ and Henry Lowther’s Group, amongst other things. The Watts group performance was superb ! Similar goodies on Saturday including Yazz Ahmed’s Quintet and Mike & Kate Westbrook with Chris Biscoe.

I’ve still to order the Tristano set so this one will go on the back burner. Will be interested to hear of opinions once people have sampled it.

Trunk reissue of the Stan Butcher LP from 1979 originally issued on Monty Babson’s ‘Hobo’ label and sunk without trace back then. Barbara Thompson prominently featured in the lineup.

Yazz Ahmed ‘Polyhymnia’ on Ropeadope (2LPs). Bought from Yazz at the weekend and she has kindly signed it. A tribute track to Barbara Thompson (RIP) included, as one of the heroes featured.

Not forgetting either that early German TV appearances by herself, Jon Hiseman, Wolfgang Dauner et al (on a youth show no less) led to the formation of the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble. I think her following in Germany might have been even bigger than the UK. Strangely no mention of this sad passing at the UK jazz festival I attended over the weekend. Don’t remember that but it might be possible. She certainly had a high profile in UK jazz in the 70s/80s in particular. We must also not forget her fantastic work on saxophones and flute with Neil Ardley’s New Jazz Orchestra. Classically trained flautist, superb technique.

Very sad news to start the day - saxophonist/composer Barbara Thompson passed away yesterday. https://www.temple-music.com/ She will be missed, such a fine legacy. RIP.

The ‘Complete Miles’ is a great set and one I frequently access. Remember when it came out that they messed up the lid and some of the CDs had glue inside the covers. Ended up being sent a replacement set. Another nice thing is that many of the CDs have bonus tracks not on the original LPs.

Have that one on vinyl. Also remember them doing tracks from the album at Ronnie Scott’s many years ago (40 ish !) just after it came out. Martin Speake is playing Swanage with his quartet next weekend. Hope to catch it.

I think Al Foster’s excellent playing is sort of like the icing on the cake of that fine album - although I wasn’t that keen on the album when it came out. Teo Macero really captures Foster’s drums well.

Interesting. Quite a few of those including the Calvin Keys and the first Blakey seem to have also been RSD issues. The John Hicks too - although I can’t say I ever saw that one for sale or in the racks.

Tempted to get that ‘Eastern Rebellion’ as the copy I have (bought in the 70s) is on Muse (Vols 2 onwards I have on Timeless). The Muse, I have to admit, sounds pretty good. My Blakey says ‘Tidalwaves Music’ in cooperation with ‘Timeless Jazz’ (whatever that means ). It was an RSD issue.

Another very interesting obscurity from 1973 on Frederiksberg by US band Compass.

The Art Blakey double LP that they have just reissued is in equally hideous purple vinyl but sounds good too.

Recent arrival on Frederiksberg. Love it !

They definitely got over here. I have several early original Three Sounds LPs with UK import stickers on the back of them.

Lots of interesting film footage and information about SABA on that ‘Jazzin’ The Black Forest’ film put out by Crippled Dick Hot Wax. Was just viewing it again recently. The book that they put out with it is good too. Don’t think it sold in significant numbers, Germany release only I think and wasn’t pressed in the UK. At least Edel have reissued it on vinyl recently in 180g. Wondering if that old SABA studio of HGBS (converted ex noodle factory I think) does guided tours? If so, I can feel a tourist visit to Villingen coming on. Per the footage on the Crippled Dick film, it is/was preserved very much intact.

Not to forget John Taylor ‘Decipher’ and Art Farmer/Jimmy Heath ‘From Vienna With Art’. Or Freddie Hubbard ‘Hub of Hubbard’. Oh - and Francy Boland ‘Flirt and Dream’ and Fats Sadi ‘Ensadinado’. Still trying to get my head round that one !

Saw him in ‘78 I think - Lyle Mays was in the band and they also did Chick stuff such as ‘La Fiesta’. Managed permission to go back stage and saw Woody close up, amazed how short he was !

My ‘local’ had 3 copies. Same with the Miles and Blakey. Unprecedented ! The Hubbard concert is available in video on YouTube but it is nice to listen to it in good sound.

Predictably good - with Junior Cook and George Cables. INA recording put out by ‘We Want Sounds’.