Stafford Jazz Society Profile

At the last A.G.M. the Committe proposed that the entrance fees would have to be increased due to rising costs and less grant aid being available. The meeting passed the proposal and therefore from the start of next season (September 2010) the regular concerts will be:

A new season of jazz starts in September and to herald it here is a new Stafford Jazz Society website designed to update and improve our profile and to keep our members and followers alike better informed of our activities. Dave Griffin earns our thanks for all the hard work he has put in to create this new communications tool and no doubt he will welcome your feedback and suggestions for the future.

Sadly I must start with some bad news. During the summer break we have lost one long-standing member in Stan Robinson and one very popular musician, vibes player Harry Walton. Stan (83) was the keenest of members going back to our Gatehouse Theatre days and he was quick to follow us here to the Stafford Rangers Social Club. Deteriorating health in more recent times seriously threatened his attendance but due to the great kindness and generosity of Dave and Jean Griffin he was transported weekly from his hospice and was a very welcome sight at the back of the room dressed always in his distinctive hat. We will miss him greatly and are thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends especially his devoted sisters Joan and Dolly.

Harry Walton was a highly accomplished player of that seldom seen instrument - the vibraphone. In full flow he was a real spectacle and hugely popular with both musicians and audiences alike. His partnership in recent years with clarinettist Joe Lees beautifully revived the Benny Goodman Quartet sound for our concert programme and he will be very difficult if not impossible to replace. It was perhaps not widely known among jazz audiences but Harry was also an accomplished artist with numerous exhibitions of his work to his credit. He too will be greatly missed.

As those who attended our last concert will already know our annual Band and Musician of the Year awards for the 2008 -2009 season went to SWINGIN’ JIM’S DANCE BAND and reedsman MATT PALMER respectively. Congratulations to all concerned. We look forward to presenting the trophies at forthcoming concerts with Matt bringing his Millennium Eagle Jazz Band on 6^th December 2009 and Swingin’ Jim following the next week (13^th December) for our Christmas Concert.

There are two changes to our September to December 2009 concert programme that we all need to be aware of:

SEPTEMBER 27^th: THE LIMEHOUSE JAZZ-BAND. This popular Dutch band have an evening concert booked on the same day and have asked that our own concert times be brought forward a little to allow them a more comfortable travelling time. Naturally we have obliged. Please note therefore that for this concert only we will start at 12 o’clock and finish at 2-00 pm.

NOVEMBER 15^th: THE OLD FASHIONED LOVE BAND. This Concert has been changed to a Special at the request of the Band and for a very good reason. We were all greatly shocked and saddened at the death in April of their reedsman Mike Turner. Thoughts quickly turned to a Memorial Concert to pay fitting tribute to one of the best musicians and one of the nicest men on the jazz circuit. I have never witnessed such a well-attended funeral! Everybody in the world of jazz and far beyond it seemed, wanting to say a last “goodbye”. With Mike’s long association with Stafford Jazz Society it was seen by both Band and ourselves to be fitting that this Memorial Concert be held with us. As the Old Fashioned Love Band was already booked for the 15th November 2009, the Committee readily agreed with a request from trombonist Mike Pembroke that this Concert be upgraded to that of a Special thereby to raise as much money as possible to support a Charity to be nominated by Mike’s widow Monika. The Band themselves are taking a lead in this by donating their fees less expenses to this cause. Please note therefore that this Mike Turner Memorial Concert will be from 12-30pm to 3-30pm and the Admission Charge will be £7 (£5 SJS Members).Please give this very special concert for a very special person your full and generous support.

Please note that our annual Anniversary Concert this year (our 28^th!) on 25^th October 2009 will feature the hugely popular J B JAZZ & BLUES BAND. In line with your Committee’s decision not to have evening concerts (for they have been very poorly attended in recent years) this will follow the new Special afternoon format of a 12-30pm start and an extended 3-30pm finish with Admission Charges rising to £7 and £5 (SJS Members) respectively. And this year we are making our Anniversary Concert a Benefit Concert for our venue hosts Stafford Rangers F.C, so again, please give this event your support.

The SJS Award that acknowledges "Long and Distinguished Service to Stafford Jazz Society" will again be balloted for in November. The current holder of course is John Ollier a most worthy and very popular first recipient!

It is now time to start considering which SJS member should be the next holder of this Award. Ballot Forms will be on the information table throughout November - make sure you use your vote.