Music might be the food of love . . .
. . . but its the staple diet of big bands. When a big band or the Doré/Martin Octet play for us, their sheet music is always refered to as the “pad’. For each arrangement there has to be different pad for each musician. So the band needs a set of ‘charts’ as they are known for every number they play. I am told that a set of big band charts can cost as much as £65. However there is a less expensive source of very fine arrangements at a lower cost. Stanza Music run by Bill Ashton can supply a set of big band charts for about £17 plus postage. A set of charts for an octet costs as little as £6 plus postage. Anyone wishing to support their favourite band can make them a present of some new numbers very economically. If you are tempted to help a band in this way please talk to the bandleader before you order. Lists of the music available with prices and contact details can be found on the Stanza Music web site at www.printed-music.com or ring Bill Ashton on 020 8863 2717. The big band charts from Stanza are from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, pad so you are bound to be buying great tunes; standards of the future. Some of the music that the Doré/Martin Octet play is from this source and it makes very enjoyable listening. If you need any further information speak to Fred. The Doré/Martin Octet play for us on 21 January 2009.
Jazz on local radio
There is a local, community, radio station based in the Earlham district of Norwich called Future Radio. It broadcasts an hour of jazz from 1pm to 2pm on Sundays. The presenter is Tony Cleary. A few weeks ago Richard and Fred were interviewed by Tony. We talked about what we do at Lakeside and played a few tracks from the albums of current artists appearing at our club, or associated with us. There is a possibility, not yet confirmed, that the first set of the Barry Palser gig on 3 December will be recorded for ‘Future future broadcast’. The coverage is not vast but reaches out as far as Dereham. You can tune in across Norwich on 96.9 FM or listen online at:
www.futureradio.co.uk
Contributions welcome
As you can see in the programme for December, our Party Night and Jam Session takes place on the 17 December. If you wish to contribute a bottle for the raffle, or perhaps a CD or box of chocs, all donations will be gratefully received.
Send us your photographs
Most Wednesdays someone is clicking away with a digital camera. We could make good use of any pictures that you are proud of. The Dereham Jazz Society website (www.lakeside-jazz-club.co.uk) displays a few shots of visiting musicians associated with the latest programme, but we can always use more. It would be good to create a new page full of library shots which would really give a feel to what DJS has on offer. If you want to share your David Bailey moments, please e-mail them to Richard Nelson at rvnelson@freedom255.com.
Finally
We have successfully got to the end of another year. The music has all been of a high quality and there have been some outstanding sessions across many styles of Jazz. Eleven years and three venues into this adventure, Dereham Jazz Society is in fairly healthy shape. The intention of the current custodians is to carry on in the same vein. If we can achieve average audience numbers of 40-50 people through the door each Wednesday we will be well set for many years to come. Jean, Fred, Richard and John want to say thank you for supporting the Club, have a great Christmas holiday and we look forward to seeing you in 2009.
Detour ahead
Two road improvement schemes taking place during the rest of 2008 may interfere with your route to Lakeside, but they can be easily overcome.
A roundabout will be constructed on the A47 at the junction with the road to Mattishall to the east of Honingham. Most of the work will take place at night between 8pm and 6.30am. This should not affect journeys from Dereham and Swaffham if you leave the A47 at the North Tuddenham junction and follow the signs to Lyng. In Lyng that road is opposite Quarry Lane and Lakeside. Neither will it affect those using the A1067 Fakenham Road.
It may cause problems for those using the A47 from South Norwich to get to the North Tud-denham junction or using Wood Lane to cut across to Lenwade. Alternative routes are to use the Norwich outer ring road and join the Fakenham road near ASDA. If you don’t mind using the lanes turn off the A47 on the first right after the roundabout at the end of the dual carriageway signed Ringland. In Ringland turn left at the church passing it on your left, follow the road and turn right near Weston Longville joining the A1067 at Morton where you turn left.
The other project involves more minor work on the slip roads near Dereham. We have few details as it is not listed on the Highways Agency web site. If it interferes with your route to Lakeside please remember that the B1110 to Lyng starts on the Norwich Road, Dereham just beyond Aldiss Park signed Bawdswell and Swanton Morley. Ignore the next sign to Bawdswell and Swanton Morley and go straight on through North Tuddenham.
The highways Agency web site is www.highways.gov.uk.
A key improvement
Those who have been to Lakeside during August will have seen and heard a Baby Grand piano instead of the usual electronic keyboard. The ‘real piano’ has been made available by the generosity of Ivars Galenieks who has kindly loaned it to Lakeside. We are fortunate to have the use of it. Ivars is not only a master bass player but he is also an accomplished pianist and expert piano restorer and tuner. If you have a piano that needs attention or you are looking for one to purchase, Ivars can be contacted on 0777 047 6006.
Gold for Grown-ups
Don’t forget Paul Barnes’ great radio programme playing three hours of our kind of music. Every Saturday from 6 until 9pm on Radio Norfolk 95.1 or 104.4 FM. Also available on-line and world-wide on the BBC radio web site.
Review of the Doré/Martin Octet,
DJS 18 June
The Octet was on great form for an evening of inventive jazz, straight-ahead yet always intriguing. The fine programme provided a feast of brilliant music, featuring many unfamiliar tunes and band originals. Among many highlights were ‘Take the A Train’ (as a Samba), ‘Makin' Whoopee’, Alan's ‘Tricks of the Track’, and Derek's gem from 1952 ‘Hi! How's The Moon?’. The carefully chosen arrangements – many by Alan Martin and Derek Cubitt – showed to perfection the full range of the band’s drive, power, subtlety, and musical colour. The voicings allowed wonderful contrasts within the front line and Frank, Derek, Clive, Neil and Alan took full advantage of their solos and features. Tom Harris, Dave Holgate (depping for Ivars Galenieks) and Bob provided superb support and shone in their own solo spots. A bonus came by way of the lively banter, which is to be expected when Bob is in the vicinity! Musically, though, on this showing, the Octet could bill itself as Norfolk's Biggest Little Band.
Nodge Carnegie
The Doré/Martin Octet will be appearing again at Lakeside on
21 January, see details on the programme page