Magazine: JAZZ RIFF - February 2012

Welcome back. February always strikes me as a month of questions: mostly about how long the month of January has been, whether the New Year Resolutions are being stuck to, and successful, and if that get fit regime as slipped from a daily work out to simply daily work!  The jazz scene locally looks set to continue with the high calibre of music on offer, and our support for the local clubs, pubs, and venues is even more crucial at this time of year. If you would like a special mention, then email me the details c/o Grapevine. 2012 looks set to be a “big news” year, and including live jazz for the world to see and hear will be a great opportunity.

Something new to listen to, if you don`t know their sound are Led Bib, the 2009 Mercury Prize nominated 5 piece Jazz orientated, but also sometimes Rock Fusion combo and colourfully creative group, led by Mark Holub on drums. In 2003. whilst in the UK studying for a masters degree in Music, he met his co-LedBibbers ( yes, it is connected to teeth and dentists chairs!), Pete Grogan and Chris Williams, saxophonists, Toby McLaren on piano and Liran Donin on Bass. Playing and creating the art form that is jazz, the group sets out to challenge the sometimes  conventional notions the public may have. Mark enthuses about the vibrancy of jazz, and its capacity to change and adapt. This is what you hear in the groups work. They are collaborating currently with Aldeburgh Music’s Young Musician programme (AYM), and have a forthcoming residency in  the suitably inspiring surroundings of Snape Maltings,13th to 17th February. On meeting with16 young musicians from all different musical backgrounds, at the tail end of 2011, the sessions focussed on improvisation and supporting the creative process, and capturing musical ideas, before presenting the ideas in groups. On the gig February 17th in the Britten Studio at Snape Maltings, you can hear the fruits of their creative juices at 6pm, titled Instant Composition. Check out their www.ledbib.co.uk. website, which has tour dates this year, and are highly recommended. Mark and I spoke at length about the advertising and promotion of jazz, and  his take is mainstream Europe may have a better understanding of getting the music out to the public in a more proactive way. Having worked in Europe, and still with string connections there, I tend to agree. So can we do more here in the UK? Or even locally? Answers please on your forthcoming mid-February postcard to me at Grapevine….

Now there`s a challenge! Postcards from famous Jazz venues around the world! On your marks get set, go…….! Here`s another recommendation coming up very soon. The first of the month Milestones Jazz Club open their  doors at 8pm, February 5th, and features two excellent sets with Centre-Line, a talented quartet. Expect an exciting vibe from a group of the current edition of British Jazz stars. The tour is supported by Jazz Services UK, which aims to promote great jazz for us more provincial bods.

One final promotion which if you can, pass on to the up and coming generation of jazz stars. The National Youth Jazz Collective are advertising their forthcoming Summer School 2012, on their website. www.nyjc.org.uk This is a week-long residential school to be held at UEA in Norwich in August, and auditions young people between the ages of 14 to 18. Only thirty places are available, so it is competitive, but the opportunity to study, groove and jam with the likes of Mike Walker, Martin Speake, Nick France and Nick Smart ( and many more) cannot be missed! The closing date to apply is the end of February with auditions up and down the country end of March into April. Contact the Collective, headed up by Issie Barrett, for more details.

So back to the top, and with a nifty step-ball-change in my feet, as a few more minutes of daylight appear either end of the day now, I`m beginning to whistle as many “heads” as I can remember with the word Spring   in…….! Do join me….

Gill Burgoyne