I'm just booking in the musicians for the next programme and getting quite excited about the incredible players we have coming up!
It's a fantastic thing about jazz musicians, in that they will play on a world stage one week and then at the East Side Jazz Club, Leytonstone the next. As Dennis Rollins (Maceo Parker, Courtney Pine and Badbone) said "I love playing here, it's great to get the chance to play some jazz" and the musicians know that they will get a good listening audience to play to.
Fortunately the jazz attitude of playing at the grass roots also extends to the younger players, so on 1st February we have two of the busiest young session players on the scene: Barnaby Dickinson (trombone) and Graeme Flowers (trumpet). You will more usually see them touring and recording with the likes of Kylie Minogue and Take That, but they are looking forward to playing for us on their night off (I'm afraid neither the money or my bum in hot pants will be up to the standard they are accustomed to).
I am really proud of the great mix of musical styles and generations we have on the coming programme, also included are guitarist Deirdre Cartwright, hard-blowing saxophonist Ed Jones and two classic top-draw trumpet and sax led bands of Alan Barnes with Bruce Adams and Steve Fishwick with Sam Mayne. As well as these great headliners the bands feature some of the countries top pianists, all of whom are worth seeing in their own right: Jim Watson, Tom Cawley, Robin Aspland, Steve Lodder and Kit Downes.
I think it is so important for the future of our club that we have such a varied musical base and not get stuck in a particular style or period. I really don't think there is another club like ours which offers such a wide appeal and great standard of musicianship.
Come along when you can - you won't be disappointed.
Thanks to all of you who have supported us over the years, I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Clive Fenner
