The Leinster Bar… well, we stuffed that up didn’t we?

After last week’s gallimaufrey of bass players, this week it was the piano players turn:

Ade Ish, Larry from Townsville, Rory Clark, Sam Izzo, Gentleman John Curtis (welcome back, were ya been!), the Venerable Bob and meself all got a short turn eventually. The Ageing Roue played an inordinate amount of might fine sax, and the Captain played a subordinate amount of mighty fine sax, as did Noel. Ben and Chic provided some neat guitar work, hardly anyone sang (well, Kevin smoothed things out for a while), young tyros Tom and Mike played drums and trombone,  Doug Haircut Kuhn nearly got trampled in the rush, Sebastien rattled between good and not so, and Colonel T of the Fourth Light Punjab Horse  provided a relieving role on bass.

So, why did we stuff it up? Such was the seemingly endless procession of hot jazz that a few of the less experienced jammers missed out or left early – with that much talent in the room, getting up to play after them would be an unnerving experience.

The essence of the jams is to get everyone involved as much as possible, even if this does mean that the standard of music becomes a bit, err, variable. So if you missed out, please come back and if Coltrane walks in and takes over, we will toss him out in your favour, on the grounds that (a) he needs to join in not take over, (b) he probably won’t come back next week as he is too busy reissuing dodgy compilation CD’s,  (c) he is dead and (d) we would rather you played anyway. Or any way, as long as it is fun.

Or not as the case may be…

Props to Peter Cole for getting this, waiting for his opportunity,  and blowing up a storm, to Sam Izzo who got the briefest of sessions and still got drowned out by the soloists,  and most particularly to Colonel T for his patience before finally getting up on bass and swinging. Unheard of, call a doctor. Or a vet. Or a mechanic. I give up, what does he run on?

We will try to do better next time –

TW

The Laika Bar: Angie Strickland with the CCQ

Last Friday saw a polished little Ange, accompanied by Jason Chalmers playing out of his skin on saxaphone, and Doug Kuhn (bass) and meself (piano) fill in the doofy bits and twiddly bits where needed. The Diva trotted out a coupla great new  ballads.

A good turn up of people dropping in for a listen, although not as big as the first week. Well received by the Laika folks.

No Captain Chaos Quartet this week, as the Laika had a prebooked solo singer. Next week… stay tuned!… the CCQ will be back.

 

 

Frills going Cheap in December

Jam Session goes moderately mental, need a week to recover…

Despite unreliable reports to the contrary, the Divine Miss Smith failed to make an entrance on roller skates, clutching a somewhat limp aspidistra. In fact, she stoutly maintains she doesn’t do aspidistras these days, a nugget of information for which we can all be profoundly grateful, especially, I would think,  the aspidistras.

So what happened at this week’s jam? Clearly something has gone wrong, because 25 musicians and singers turned up and boogied the Sunday Arvo away until well past my bed time.

The honours in the opening stoush probably went to the lemonade sipping ageing sheep farmer, whose name, Roger, remains anonymous. Ably supported by the Captain, the Cole, the Ben Stewart on guitar, the Hirsh on drums, Le Sebastien who ruined a perfectly good reputation for consistency by nearly playing something quietly and delicately. Mon dieu, societe is to blame… and driven along nicely by a bass section that included Doug Haircut Kuhn, Ivan the not terrible at all, and Andy Moon amongst others…

A fit looking Colonel T is back from his travels and threw in the customary Pastorius riff to remind us, whilst oscillating between bass and guitar…Nice little cameos from Kevin, Ken from Castlemaine, a bunch of new trumpeters, saxophonists and one slightly nervous rock guitarist who ended up having a ball.

Props to Mercedes for getting up and putting her partner in the shade by singing up a storm, and to  the aforementioned non aspidistra carrying Diva for a late set.

A great afternoon’s entertainment all round, and some damn good music from time to time. The Captain was well chuffed.

See ya this Sunday?

 

The Captain Chaos Quartet at the Laika Bar

Sevil Sabah’s opening session saw upwards of 50 people in the Laika Bar, and was enthusiastically received by the Management who promptly invited us back this Friday…

 

So… the impeccable Ange Strickland will be performing, with support from Doug Kuhn (bass), Jason Chalmers (Saxophone) and meself at the grand piano. Ange’s repertoire ranges from Jazz Standards to Soul/pop numbers, so it should keep us on our toes all night. You might get on down and tap a few toes yourself…

Ange Strickland at the Laika Bar, 6 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 7.30 – 9.30, Friday 21st November

Sevil Sabah with Jazz Notes in a double bill with Annie Smith and the Roger Clark Quartet

Sevil Sabah and Jazz Notes are coming back to Dizzy’s in a double bill with Annie Smith and the Roger Clark Quartet.

Jazz Notes will bring to you a wide range of music with the elegant and sultry voice of Sevil Sabah: from swing and jazz standards to some with a twist, gentle ballads, Latin, blues, soul and even some funky pop.

Then, it’ll be time for Annie Smith and the Roger Clark Quartet. We don’t know exactly what they’ll be doing but there’ll certainly be plenty of energy and antics when the Smith and Clark families get together.

And the night will finish with another set from Jazz Notes.

Who knows? We might even combine the bands for a few numbers.

Sevil Sabah with Jazz Notes
Sevil Sabah (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Tom Doublier (drums)

Annie Smith and the Roger Clark Quartet
Annie Smith (vocals)
Roger Clark (saxophone)
Rory Clark (piano)
Paige Smith (bass)
Allan Smith (drums)

$14.00/$10.00

Tue 25 November, 2014
8:00-10:30pm

Bookings recommended

Dizzy’s Jazz Club
381 Burnley Street
Richmond 3121
(03) 9428 1233

More about Jazz Notes at http://www.jazznotes.net.au .

The Ludicrous Arms Jam Session; Hortense goes on a diet. Madge doesn’t.

It may have been at last week’s debacle at the West Altona Distressed Gentlefolk’s Bide A Wee Rest Home Meet and Greet (apparently it wasn’t a barbecue after all) that Hortense announced she was going on a diet. After much and morose deliberation she settled on a Vegan. Nobody was more surprised than the Vegan.

It is Madge’s proud boast that she once went on a diet – she ate seven Chiko Rolls in a single session at the Strangled Ferret. As this had no discernible effect, she has since reverted to her more customary nine. Diets are, in her opinion a load of old rubbish.

Which brings me to the Jam Session. Come Sunday Arvo, at the Gold Street Dentistry Emporium and Gossip Shop, several musos were sinking their teeth into the nether parts of a wide variety of toons: starting with a debutant pianist on Tenor Madness, followed by Mercy Mercy Mercy, Boplicity, Equinox and a bunch of Debbie’s bouncy little numbers. All delivered with some panache and no bassist at all until Ivan turned up.

It actually started as a bit of a rough afternoon, but ended up swimmingly , with a surprising number of new faces in the crowd: Ken singing, a trumpeter whose name I forget, saxophonists aplenty, Chico on guitar and Sam on bass towards the end. And speaking of new faces I am not of course referring to Mr Hirsh although he was the pick of the drummers.

In truth, there were only two pianists all afternoon and one of them had very sore hands by the end of it, but a splendid session of ballad mangling, gossip and Carlton Daft.

Summer is upon us. See ya Sunday?

.

Sunday Arvo Jam Session, The Leinster Arms, Gold Street, Collingwood every Sunday, 4.00 until the Captain Calls it Quits, or about 7.30, whichever comes last…

Laika Bar: The Captain Chaos Quartet Tries a New Friday Night Venue

This week, we will be trying out a new venue: The Laika Bar, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

 

We have cunningly advertised this as the Sevil Sabah Trio in case our reputation precedes us, but the gorgeous Sevil Sabah will be accompanied by meself and bassist Daniel Pickard, with a surprise guest appearance by none other than… well you will have to be there to find out.

If you haven’t heard Sevil sing before, you can check out her recent trio recordings on http://www.sevilsabah.com

We are hoping to get a goodly crowd for this first session, with a view to making this a regular venue for the Jammers through the Summer season, so turn up if you can. Laika Bar is at the beach end of Fitzroy Street

Sevil sings, the Captain swings: The Laika Bar, 9 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Friday 14th November, 7.30 – 9.30 or later.

Le Bon + Le Band + Le Boxhill?

Chris Le Bon with the Si Bon Band at the Boite World Music Cafe, Box Hill Community Arts Centre 
Friday, 14 November 08:00pm 
Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station Street, Box Hill

$20/$15/$10

Enquiries 9417 1983

 

Internationally acclaimed crooner and bassist, Chris Le Bon has performed his repertoire of Jazz and R’n’B music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s around the world.

Direct from the UK, Paris and the French and Italian Riviera, his repertoire reflects his diverse musical influences and includes Jazz Standards, Pop, Soul, Big Band Swing and R’n’B. Mauritian-born, Chris is fluent in both English and French and performs beautifully in both languages.

With over 25 years of experience, exceptional charisma and a list of international performances that read like a map of the world, Chris Le Bon’s performance at The Box Hill Community Arts Centre will be an evening of exceptional music, superb showmanship and, most importantly, a whole lot of fun.

The Si Bon Band comprises Jo Abbott (accordian), Alex Yarosh (guitar), James Osborne (drums), Doug Kuhn (double bass) and John Curtis (keyboard)

Leinster jam runs on its own momentum

Spurning the earlier exhortations of Bishop Hortense, the clergy and congregation gathered for the Sunday rites.
Kevin was grateful to find that Verger Glenn had put out the chalice and plate and that the Captain had arranged the hymn books. Joshua and James (drums) arrived soon after. Then, joined by Noel (sax) and Len (trumpet) and Bruce (trombone), the service commenced, swinging until they cried for Mercy.
Joshua had set aside his trumpet in favour of keys from which he was obliged to coax bass until after 6, when George arrived to properly assume the role, thereby freeing Joshua’s hands for the rest of the night.
More reeds appeared, with Antonello playing whatever was put up and Peter putting up a lot.
Kevin was first to retire (at 5:30), being replaced briefly by Don and then by Ben. Neither Kevin nor Don wanted to follow Ben so he was forced to do penance to the end.
More drums were heard: by the end of the service, we’d had James, Sebastian, Mike and, newcomer, Alex provided some strong rhythms and long solos.
Newcomers, Alex, Bruce and Len have threatened to return, seeming to have enjoyed the kinship (certainly didn’t come from me!).
The Reverend threatened hellfire and damnation for interruptions to the rituals, after which the order of service was followed strictly until the last rites were performed.
And harmony was heightened for, throughout the service, not a word was sung.
KB

Peter Morant – Vale

Hi Jammers

An old Dizzy’s jam session regular, Peter Morant, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday 1 November after a brief illness. There will be a funeral next Friday 14 November, 10:30am, Boyd Chapel, Springvale Crematorium. It will be followed by a wake to be held at Dizzy’s Jazz Club, 381 Burnley Street Richmond from around 12:30pm – 4pm. Any friends of Peter’s are welcome to attend. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments and participate in a memorial jam session for Peter to give him the send off he deserved.

Miriam.

The Umbrella Bar

Last Friday saw Sonia Davoine singing, supported by the talented Sam Izzo (piano), and the non Captain Chaos quartet. A crowd of 30,000 turned up, but that was at the football, and so the crew spent a pleasant evening entertaining a few diners, a few drinkers, and a few raucous girls.

This week, The Divine Miss Smiff will be singing, along with the Captain,meself, and Ivan on bass. It is going to be lounge, very lounge. Do drop in for a hit and a giggle.

Ann Smith trots out her quirky little toons from 7.30, Friday 7th November at The Umbrella Bar Lounge, 338 Glenhuntly Road Elsternwick