I don't know who posted this on Youtube (maybe Nora?) but it's an excerpt from a performance at the 1920's street market event in Hondon de las Nieves, in 2012. The title here of Orquestina etc is a little fanciful. We were billed as The Jubilee Jazz Band, and had four of the six regular musicians, plus Abel on washboard/clarinet and Nora doing a guest spot singing. Curiously, the main content is my cornet solo. Thanks to René (sousaphone here) for bringing this clip to my attention.
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[Click on image to see whole photo.]
For a long time now it's been hard finding musicians on the Costa Blanca who know how to play traditional jazz. Two years ago, none of the above musicians had much experience at playing trad jazz, but that has changed. First of the new set is Alejandro Villar. An established modern jazz/funk double bass player, he had played no trad jazz till meeting NJJB, and has since learned the style well and has even joined NJJB. Then came The Costa Blanca Jazz Band. Drummer Geoff Britton, well versed in rock and swing, had little experience of playing trad jazz, He had nevertheless, investigated it thoroughly, so he had clear ideas about how a trad jazz band should sound. At the beginning of 2014 he formed the Costa Blanca Jazz Band (assisted by Mike Summers of NJJB - trumpet & music direction) and invited Grahame Shephard (clarinet & alto sax) Carlos Bou (banjo & guitar) and Xema Reig (bass) to complete the quintet. These last three are all talented musicians who (except for Grahame) had no traditional jazz experience whatsoever. Grahame had played a bit of trad at the start of his music career, so many years ago, but had to reassemble his long-abandoned clarinet. Guitarist Carlos had to find a banjo and learn to play it from scratch. They now play trad jazz convincingly. It's a kind of miracle how quickly this has all happened. Costa Blanca Jazz Band has its own gigs of course, but happily, Carlos was featured with NJJB on 6 May and Grahame on 3 June. They both did an excellent job. NJJB hopes so have the pleasure of performing with Geoff and Xema too.. On 28th January, NJJB played its first performance under its new name. It was a good night at Monroe's Carvery in Pedreguer, well attended and with a happy band. A few days later the band met up for a beer and photo shoot in Moraira. This photo features the full current line-up, with Gerry Haim (new band pianist) standing between trombonist Michael Kasche and drummer Christian Gibaud. Alejandro Villar (extreme right, and already performing a lot in the band) is now established as the band's main double bass player. At the front we see Mike Summers with his trumpet-cornet and Dick Crooks with his alto sax. "The Jubilee Jazz Band" played its last concert under this name on 18th January. (Since then the name has changed to New Jubilee Jazz Band or NJJB.) The concert was in Moraira for a charity event hosted by Lions Teulada-Moraira. Despite slow ticket sales (at first) the concert was a sell-out once again, and the band played one of its best performances, thanks partly to the addition of Gerry Haim on piano and René Dossin on double bass. The event helped to raise money for families in need, and of course this is an especially worthwhile cause during these difficult times in Spain. Everyone went home happy.
Pat Clancy, the last of the "The Jubilee Jazz Band's" founder members, left at the end of 2013. This left the band with an identity crisis, and so the name has changed to New Jubilee Jazz Band [NJJB]. The style will not change dramatically, but perhaps there will be a few more dixieland tunes and fewer from the strictly New Orleans repertoire. Replacing Pat is pianist Gerry Haim (see photo) and the band is very pleased to have him. He showed his worth at the charity concert on 18th January 2014 at Espai La Senieta. Sadly, bass player John Shenton is recovering from a broken arm and won't be able to participate in the band for a long while. Happily, Alejandro Villar is the band's main bass player until further notice. During the night spanning 3rd and 4th December The Costa Blanca lost one of its dearest residents. George Rutherford, husband, father, grandfather and a founder member of The Jubilee Jazz Band is with us no more. George who reached 94 years, was married for about 74 years, and lived his life with dignity, intelligence and often with great humour. The Jubilee Jazz Band had the great honour of seeing George again not long before the end, on one of his better days, perhaps. He was much loved and we shall all miss him. We believe that his dear wife Joanna Rutherford (aka Juana) is as well as can be (under the circumstances) and will remain in the vicinity. The Jubilee Jazz Band's return to Monroe's Carvery on 18th September was a big success. The band looks forward to tonight's event at the same venue. And soon the band's new CD will be on sale. On 28th December there will be an important concert at the Palau in Altea.
Marilyn, the star at Monroe's Carvery! Like many bands The Jubilee Jazz Band has had to put its main residency on hold for the time being because there are few real jazz fans still on the coast during the summer. The last session at Monroe's Carvery in Pedreguer was on Tuesday 10th July. The band will return there on 18th September 2012, with a view to performing every second Tuesday, from 8pm until 10:30pm. Meanwhile the band does have a few other gigs to offer in July, and maybe in August. Please see the CALENDAR. |
Author: Mike Summers
Webmaster, trumpeter and leader-manager of New Jubilee Jazz Band, northern Costa Blanca, Spain. Mike will be replaced by trumpeter David Gorodi for at least some performances in 2022. Archives
June 2014
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