Well, after almost 10 months absence from updating due to personal reasons I am now back in business and have added more pics from the 2005 Cheltenham Jazz Festival featuring Ken Vandermark and Atomic plus pics of The Free Music Ensemble also featuring Ken Vandermark.
Check back soon to see more updates!
27 May 2005
More pics from this years Cheltenham Jazz Festival featuring Christine Tobin and The Dave Liebman/Ellery Eskin Group
Check back soon to see more updates!
14 May 2005
First pics from this years Cheltenham Jazz Festival featuring Jazz Jamaica and Nois4.
This years festival was the 10th and lived up to all of my expectations. The organisation was as smooth as ever and the acts were truly outstanding.
The highlight for me wasBobby Previte with the Beta Popes 1 . I did not know what to expect and was completely blown away by the energy and musicianship of these three guys who seemed to communicate on a level that few other groups achieve.
Nois4 on the other hand were very laid back in their Brazilian Groove but none the worse for that. Ingrid Laubrocks alto playing was a revelation for me since I had only heard her on tenor before this concert.
6 MAY 2005
Pics from CHELTENHAM THEATRE 2004 Pics of Lianne Carrol from her concert at Cheltenhams Theatre in 2004.
Check back soon to see more updates!
DECEMBER 5 2004
Pics from THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 Pics of Julian Joseph Trio with Marta Sebestyen and of Jan Garbarek from his sellout performance at the Royal Festival Hall have been added to Gallery 140 of the Jazz Section.
Check back soon to see more updates!
NOVEMBER 28 2004
Pics from THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 Pics of Jack DeJohnette, Larry Goldings and Paul Scofield from their Tony Williams Celebration set and of Lizz Wright from her performance at the Purcell Room have been added to Galleries 138 and 139 of the Jazz Section.
Check back soon to see more updates!
NOVEMBER 26 2004
Pics from THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004Sponsored by music promoter SERIOUS and the BBC the 12th LJF got underway on 12 November this year. Pics of David Murrays Creole Proect have been added to Gallery 138 of the Jazz Section. Check back soon to see more updates!
NOVEMBER 16 2004
Pics from THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004Sponsored by music promoter SERIOUS and the BBC the 12th LJF got underway on 12 November this year with concerts by The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni big band, UK vocalist Gwyneth Herbert and The Future Sounds of Jazz.
I was lucky enough to catch the Festival from Sunday 13 Nov onwards and have uploaded my first pics in Gallery 137 of the Jazz section. Check back soon to see more updates!
SEPTEMBER 4 2004
Pics from READING 'PRIDE' FESTIVAL 2004Sposored by Reading Borough Council among others this was Readings first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride event, blimey what a mouthful (no dear that's a blowjob) and it was held at Kings Meadow in Reading.
I don't think I have ever seen so many people having such an open, and in some cases, outrageous good time - and it was GREAT.
The pics are in the highest numbered Miscellaneous Galleries
AUGUST 30 2004
More updates from BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 already Pics of Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock, Tony Coe & Nikki Iles, and Seb Rochfords Polar Bear featuring Pete Wareham and Ingrid Laubrock on Tenors, added in the highest numbered Jazz Gallery
Both Smith and Kellock were on fine form and covered a wide repertoire which went down well in the intimate setting of the Brecon Theatre suite on Friday night. On Saturday evening Coe and Iles provided the same lineup at the same venue where Iles sparse piano perfectly complimented Coes sinuous tenor and clarinet lines.
Also on Saturday Seb Rochford proved, yet again, that current contemporary British players are in the Premier League. Wareham and Laubrock played solos which, whilst approaching from different angles, both expanded and complimented the source material - and the audience loved it as well ! You can't get much better than that.
AUGUST 28 2004
More updates from BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 already Pics of The All Star Cuban Big Band featuring the legendary Omara Portuondo added in the highest numbered Jazz Gallery
AUGUST 25 2004
More updates from BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 already Pics of Kenny Davern All Stars and Larry Coryell with John Abercrombie and Dori Caymmi added in the highest numbered Jazz Gallery
AUGUST 22 2004
WOT - more updates from BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004 already I hear you gasp surely not
BUT YES!! - Pics of Humph, George Melly and the Kenny Baron Quintet added in the Jazz Gallery.
AUGUST 21 2004
Images from this years BRECON JAZZ FESTIVALadded in the Jazz Gallery.Always look in the highest Gallery number for the latest pics. Todays upload comprises Georgie Fame with Alan Skidmore and Gwyneth Herbert
Another great festival this year with tighter organisation, slicker presentation and something for just about everyone.
Loads more pics to be added over the following week or so.
JULY 29 2004
I've just got back after a week following the Tour de France from Villard de Lons to the final Time Trial at Besencon and what a Tour it was. Armstrong won it for an incredible sixth consecutive time and seemed to find it easier than ever. Ullrich never really got into contention although Basso put down a marker for the future. The hero of the Tour was probably Voeckler who held the Yellow Jersey longer than anyone thought he could.
I must admit to always having a soft spot for Richard Virenqe despite his problems and this year he again proved himself unbeatable in the King of the Mountains category for a record time in what will possibly be his last Tour.
JUNE 13 2004 - 2004
And now for something completely different. !!!
In the midst of Jazz let there be!CYCLING!
I have been running Reading CC's Open 50 for more years than I'll admit to and this year it was held on a new course on the A420 west of Oxford. A disapointingly low number of entries was compensated for by brilliant sunshine and a great atmosphere at HQ.
I hope everyone enjoyed their ride and have added pics in the Cycling Gallery.
JUNE 6 2004 - 2004
Added Gerard Presencer from Cheltenham Jazz Festival. See Galleries 130
JUNE 3 2004 - 2004
Added Earthworks Underground and Centripede from Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Stacey Kent from Bath Jazz Festival. See Galleries 127,128 & 129
MAY 16 2004 - 2004
Cassandra Wilson, Ben Thomas and Jazz it Up from this years Festival.
There are so many images to upload that I'll be running the updates every week or so over the next few weeks.
Don’t forget the Bath International Music Festival has a Jazz Weekend running from Thursday 27 May with Stacey Kent to Monday 31 May with Courtney Pine and a host of great acts in between.
I shall be there for the whole weekend hoping to get some great shots so come along and join in the fun.
MAY 10 2004 - 2004
This years Cheltenham Jazz Festival was one of the best I have attended. Good audiences and great jazz - shame about the weather - but that's the UK for you!
For no other reason than their file was first alphabetically in the directory this years pics start with the Ben Markland Quintet who played a great set in the Pillar Room at the Town Hall on the last day of the festival.
Other pics to follow over the next few weeks.
APRIL 25 2004 - 2004
From the The Carling Academy, Bristol l on April 21 The Future Sounds of Jazz in Gallery 124 .
Jason Yarde, Soweto Kinch, Matthew Bourne and others enthusiastically push the envelope of Jazz in all directions. A little rough in places this only adds to the atmosphere of what was an extremely entertaining evening.
APRIL 17 2004 - 2004
From the Foyer of the Royal Festival Hall on April 17 Pete Long's Gillespiana in Gallery 123
MARCH 30 2004 - 2004
At last an update!!
From the Foyer of the Royal Festival Hall on March 27 The Michael Garrick Big Band With a line up including Matt Wates, Martin Hathaway, Mark Armstrong, Paul Moylen and Alan Jackson how can you go wrong?
You can't!!
And Mike Garrett proved this on Saturday with a varied programme that fairly stomped along combining Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and modern composers with equal enthusiasm and facility. A performance truly with something for everyone which everyone seemed to appreciate.
JANUARY 25 2004
HAPPY NEW YEAR - eventually !!
After Christmas I heard from my internet host that he was no longer continuing to provide an ISP hosting service. I therefore had to find an alternative provider which I have now done. Unfortunately this took a while and whilst the transfer went relatively smoothly there have been a few teething problems ;-))
The worst of these is that my contact page does not work properly - messages either get through without any text or don't get through at all - NOT GOOD !!
This is being worked on but is taking longer than ideal due to my lack of programming knowledge and the difficulty of getting my IT department, namely my son, on the case. Please accept my apologies if you have been trying to contact me with no response, please bear with me whilst the problem is being resolved.
Never the less my first update of 2004 is now in Miscellaneous and features QUEEN MARY 2 in Southampton Water on the day of her maiden voyage on January 12, 2004. What a fantastic ship she is and the whole of Southampton seemed to have turned up to see her off.
DECEMBER 19
A few architectural shots for a change, these are from the Hoover Buildingin West London.
I love this building which has been extended and adapted into a Supermarket. The painstaking attention to detail is apparent throughout and enhances the whole shopping experience..
Loads more pics to come so check back often
DECEMBER 15
Added pics from The Nettlebed Folk Club featuring Various Artists
I must admit that attending a folk club is something I have not done for many years and this visit was prompted by the appearance of Jackie McSlee and John Renbourne, two founder menmbers of Pentangle a group from the sixties who enjoyed great popularity. I also met Andy Crowdy, a bass player who has recorded with many well known jazzers, and who appears regularly with the support artists at the club. Good to see that players enjoy such different musical styles and can learn something from each.
Loads more pics to come so check back often
DECEMBER 11
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring The HomeMade Orchestra
Classical composer Colin Riley and Tim Whiteheads collaboration featuring a mix of classical and jazz artists including UK pianist Liam Noble playing work specially composed for the band.
Loads more pics to come so check back often
DECEMBER 3
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring Naked Sunday and Schooldays with Ken Vandermark
Naked Sunday played funky grooves on the Pizza Express Free Stage to a wildly appreciative audience.
Ken Vandermark did one solo number on the Free Stage and totally knocked me out. I'm a complete Baritone sax freak and wannabe player and this guy was really but really awesome. I missed the Courtney Pine concert to see him and his group Schooldays in the Purcell Room and thoroughly enjoyed it - I even bought two of his CD's so they must have been good!!
Loads more pics to come so check back often
NOVEMBER 29
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring Soweto Kinch, Randy Weston and Stan Tracey with Bobby Wellins
Soweto was the previous winner of the Montreux Jazz Award before Jamie Oehlers and has gone from strength to strength since then maturing into a more relaxed and confident player who's not afraid to take chances.
Randy Weston is a hero of mine from the 60's who has played with just about everyone and also written several classic jazz standards
Stan and Bobby Wellins also go back a long long way. Stan was resident pianist at Ronnie Scotts and for many years accompanied visiting American artists in his own inimitable manner.
Loads more pics to come so check back often
NOVEMBER 28
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring David Sanborn and Jamie Oehlers
What can you say about David Sanborn, a hugely talented player who's very popularity turns many "jazz purists" against him - if only more so called "real jazzers" had his audience awareness.
This years Montreux Jazz Award winning Australian tenor man Jamie Oehlers was completely unknown to me but his performance with a local trio was really excellent.
Loads more pics to come so check back often
NOVEMBER 25
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring Courtney Pine, Shorter Stories and Bembe Segue
Loads more to come so check back often
NOVEMBER 16
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring The The Danilo Perez Trio and Bobby McFerrin
Danilo Perez was new to me and was terrific, all the right influences and swings like the proverbial, where do these guys come from?
As I've said before Bobby McFerrin is a phenomenon, a one off, a great performer and his ability to involve you in his performance is amazing. This was the first time I've heard him live and I'll make sure it's not the last!!
NOVEMBER 15
Added pics from The London Jazz Festival featuring The Dave OHiggins Sextet and The Iain Ballamy Quartet
Bobby McFerrin was an absolute knockout, pics to be posted soon.
OCTOBER 25
Added pics from a trip to Fareham for work which resulted in a bit of spare time and a photo opportunity to photograph the disused lifeboat Ruby and Arthur ReedThis vessel was built with a generous donation in the 1960's and performed sterling service for many years.
The RNLI still relies on voluntary donations and I have been a member myself for more years than I care to remember. To help with their fundraising I will donate 25% of all receipts from these lifeboat pics until the end of December 2003 so get your orders in now folks!
OCTOBER 12
Added pics from Gig at The Albert at Bristol featuring The Alan Barnes/Dave Newton Duo
Also pics of Reading CC Hill Climb Championship held on Oct 12 at Streatley Hill
SEPTEMBER 21
Added pics from Charity Jazz Concert held at the Chalkpits, Odiham on Aug 23. Pics of Richard Shepherd, Alan Barnes and others.
Also pics of Andy Sheppard and Claude Deppa live at The Mayors Thames Festival on September 13.
AUGUST 26
Latest pics from this years Brecon Jazz Festival featuring Scott Hamilton, The Zappatistas and the Guy Barker Septet with the London Metropolitan Orchestra.
Loads of great artists at this years festival and some great pics of their performances still to come so keep checking !!
AUGUST 22
Latest pics from this years Brecon Jazz Festival featuring Junior Mance and the Steve Waterman Big Band.
Loads of great artists at this years festival and some great pics of their performances still to come so keep checking !!
AUGUST 20
Latest pics from this years Brecon Jazz Festival featuring Alex & Willie Garnett, Stacey Kent, Ronnie Cuber, Brian Kellock and the Pete King/Alan Skidmore Quintet.
Loads of great artists at this years festival and some great pics of their performances still to come so keep checking !!
AUGUST 18
Latest pics from this years Brecon Jazz Festival featuring Hiromi and Maceo Parker .
Loads of great artists at this years festival and some great pics of their performances still to come so keep checking !!
AUGUST 17
The first pics from this years Brecon Jazz Festival featuring Dick Hamer/Jonathan Lewis, Jamie Cullum, Gilad Atzmon and the Warren Vache Sextet. .
Loads of great artists at this years festival and some great pics of their performances.
AUGUST 1
Pics from this years TOUR de FRANCE.
at Luz Ardiden, Pau, Bordeaux and Nantes. What a great Tour it was this year, Armstrong having to dig deeper than ever against fine performances from Beloki, Ullrich and Vinokourov.
I was fortunate to see the critical stage at Luz that determined this years result and will never forget the look on Armstrongs face as he powered past me with 1 km to go - incredible - and Ullrich gave it is all as well.
I was in France for the last week and was impressed with the good sportsmanship of the riders and the general feeling of bonhommie
JULY 17
Pics of Pete Long's GILLESPIANA.
at the Underground, Crouch End on 8 July. Another class performance by this unique band dedicated to the big band music of Dizzy
JULY 17
Pics of Pete Long's GILLESPIANA.
at the Underground, Crouch End on 8 July. Another class performance by this unique band dedicated to the big band music of Dizzy
JULY 15
More pics from Bath Contemporary Jazz Weekend featuring Pete Cater Big Band and The Workshop de Lyon.
The Pete Cater Band shots are from their performance at the Royal Festival Hall on 22 June whilst the Workshop de Lyon are from Bath Contemporary Jazz Festival .
JULY 12
More pics from Bath Contemporary Jazz Weekend featuring Misha Alperin, Julien Loureau Quartet and the Andrew Hill Big Band Project.
Misha Alperin was new to me and was well worth catching. Likewise with Loureau who really impressed me with the originality of his improvisations on both tenor and soprano. Dan Garcia on drums was particularly good, a really good tight band all round.
Andrew Hill on the other hand I was vaguely disappointed with. The band as a whole seemed to lack any real drive but there were solo's of real heat and feeling from Denys Baptiste and Noel Langley - maybe I was a bit jaded myself, it had after all been a long weekend.
JULY 4
More pics from Bath Contemporary Jazz Weekend featuring The Deirdre Cartwright Group, Trio AAB and The Matthew Bourne Trio DC was on particularly good form I thought, it was the first time I'd heard Trio AAB and I was not sure what to expect having seen the publicity photos of them charging around on some God forsaken beach, weird or what, but they were great. Terrific humour and self mocking but terrific improvisation and rapport - well worth hearing live if you get the opportunity.
What can you say about Matthew Bourne, imho he is truly a one off genius, barking mad according to some but, on a good day, which he certainly had at Bath, absolutely amazing, a real must see.
JUNE 14
Well, it's taken longer than it should have but worth waiting for folks, Bath Contemorary Jazz Weekend featuring The Gianluigi Trovesi Nonet and our own Guy Barker with his Septet at The Pavillion Great sets from each but Guy won by a country mile for my money!
MAY 28
Here are the first pics from the Bath Contemorary Jazz Weekend featuring The Jan Garbarek Quartet at The Forum. Outstanding pics from Cheltenham will be posted soon plus loads of great acts from Bath
MAY 27
We're cooking on gas now !! Added pics featuring Tomasz Stanko at The Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May. Other pics from Cheltenham to be added over the next few days or so inlude Dennis Rollins with Chris Barber ! - keep checking back for more and keep the orders comin' in !!
MAY 25
Completed Pages 88 & 89 with pics featuring Seb Rochfords Polar Bear, Alycyona Mich, Deirdre Cartwright, Michael Brecker, Uri Caine & The Dave Douglas Septet from their performances at The Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May. Other pics from Cheltenham to be added over the next week or so inlude Tomasz Stanko and Dennis Rollins with Chris Barber ! - keep checking back for more!!
Went to the Bath Contemporary Jazz Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend, a feast of great music including Jan Gabarek, Iain Ballamy,Andrew Hill, Guy Barker and many more. Will add pics as time allows.
MAY 19
Completed Page 87 with pics featuring The Bryan Corbett Quintet at their concert in the Pillar Room at Cheltenham. Other pics from Cheltenham to be added over the next week or so inlude Dave Douglas, Uri Caine and Dennis Rollins with Chris Barber ! - keep checking back for more!!
MAY 17
Added Page 86 with pics featuring The Mike Gibbs Big Band at their concert in the Everyman Theatre at Cheltenham. Also pics of The Esbjorn Svennson Trio
Other pics from Cheltenham to be added over the next week or so - keep checking back for more!!
MAY 14
Added Page 85 with pics featuring Trinity College Contemporary Jazz Ensemble The first crop of Final Year Students from the Trinity Jazz Course showcasing their talents at Cheltenham. Rember you saw them here first!!
Other pics to be added over the next week or so - keep checking back for more!!
MAY 11
Added Page 84 with pics featuring Michael Brecker an outstanding solo performance from a virtuoso player who, to my ears at least, seems to be getting away from using technique for its own sake and more into using it to convey emotion and mood - but maybe that’s just my prejudice……...
Other pics to be added over the next week or so - keep checking back for more!!
MAY 10
Had a great weekend in Cheltenham at the 8th International Jazz Festival there.. Lots of jazz , loads of pictures and the odd glass of Murphys in the County Bar.
My first pics up are of the last concert, held at the Town Hall, and featuring The Ray Gelato Giants
Other pics to be added over the next week or so - keep checking back for more!!
APRIL 21st
Had a great weekend in Brussels staying with fellow snapper Jos Kneapen.. Lots of jazz , pics to follow, bit of sightseeing and the odd glass of vino - I could certainly get used to it ;-)
I've added some of the pics in the Miscellaneous section and hope to add others over the next few day
Cheltenham Jazz Festival starts on 30 April and I hope tp be there from Friday through to Monday so check back after then for the latest pics
MARCH 30th
ok so I forgot the Marlow and Henley pics.. Well here they are in the Architecture Gallery plus a couple of new ones in the Miscellaneous Gallery
MARCH 24th
Added pics of The Dedication Orchestra from their concert at The Anvil at Basingstoke on 22 March last
A great performance featuring the music of South African musicians exiled in Britain in the 60's played by a band which reads like a Who's Who of British contemporary players. The band was powered by Louis Moholo on drums, the last survivor of the original exiles.
Also some additions to the Architectural gallery featuring the Tolworth Tower and some scenes of Marlow and Henley….aah
FEBRUARY 28th
Added pics of The Urban Jazz Quintet from their concert at The Albert Inn in Bristol
A great performance in which they featured material from their new CD "The Urban Jazz Quintet", snappy title or what , on Urban City Productions CD UB-02.
Finally got around to adding some Links onto my Links page - RADICAL !!.
FEBRUARY 15th
Added pics of Tim Garlands 'Dean Street Underground Orchestra'from their concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 9th February. They played original numbers by TG and others plus the whole of Kenny Wheelers 'Windmill Tilter Suite', the first time it had been played in its entirety since 1967!! Kenny Wheeler was the special guest and performed as featured soloist.
Whilst getting something to eat in the RFH between the soundcheck and concert I came across a performance of Wagners 'The Ring' performed by youngsters on stilts and uni-cycles !! It was absolutely amazing, I wish I'd had more time and film to record it more fully - mabe next time.
JANUARY 23rd
Added pics of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra from their concert at The Anvil, Basingstoke. They played to a totally packed theatre and brought the house down, what a band !!!
JANUARY 15TH
Went to the Kings Head at Crouch End on 14th to see Pete Longs Gillespiana. The band was on great form and the crowd was really enthusiastic. They are at the 100 Club on Wednesday 22nd so catch them if you can, but confirm appearance first !
All the pics were taken on a Canon D60 digital camera and I was quite impressed with it. It's slower than my Canon 1v which I normally use but the convenience of being able to check results instantly and the ease of transferring to the computer is really addictive.
As well as the Gillespiana pics in the Jazz Gallery I have added a few London snow scenes in the Miscellaneous Gallery
JANUARY 6TH
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!
Hope you had a good Christmas and managed to avoid too much excess in the food and drink departments ;-))
I've finally taken the plunge and bought a digital camera, a Canon D60, which I am currently trying out on 2 weeks approval. So far it seems excellent and I have uploaded my first digital pictures in Miscellaneous Galleries 10 & 11 showing the floods we have been suffering with here and a few views from elsewhere.
I can't wait to give it a real try out in a Low Light context to see how it behaves.
Find image D0144 and see if you can win a prize.
DECEMBER 8th
Added images of Joe Lovano and updated odd errors with thumbnails I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts at London Jazz Festival so keep checking back
DECEMBER 2nd
Added images of Courtney Pine and London Eye Time permitting I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts so keep checking back
DECEMBER 1st
Added images of Lee Konitz and Peter Ind Time permitting I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts so keep checking back
NOVEMBER 27th
Added night time mages of Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz and Deirdre Cartwright Time permitting I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts so keep checking back
NOVEMBER 24th
Added night time mages of Joe Lovano Soundcheck Time permitting I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts so keep checking back
NOVEMBER 23rd
Added pics of David Murray and Butterfield 8 also Mervyn Africa
Still more to come so check back soon.
NOVEMBER 22nd
Added pics of Pete King and some colour pics of Julian Joseph Concert with Johnny Griffin and Mica Paris. Plenty more to come including David Murray and Courtney Pine Should be on by the weekend so check back then.
NOVEMBER 18th
Added night time mages of London Eye and also of Chelsea Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge both looking quite stunning in their Winter Lights. Also added the first pics from the Julian Joseph consert at the Royal Festival Hall, and the Dick Heckstall-Smith Concert at the Pizza Express Free Stage, also at the RFH Both concerts were part of the London Jazz Festival being held until Sunday 24th November at various venues . Time permitting I shall be adding more pics from remaining concerts so keep checking back
NOVEMBER 2nd
Images from Les Deux Alpes Stage of the 2002 Tour de France . I'm looking forward to the London Jazz Festival over the next few weeks. Loads of great jazz at many venues. Check back soon for more pics
NOVEMBER 1st
Images from National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) at the Theatre Royal, Winchester on October 26th. Check back soon for more pics
OCTOBER 17th
Images from BBC Big Band Concert with Madeline Bell at the Barbican Theatre on Oct 12th. Check back soon for more pics
OCTOBER 14th
Images from BBC Big Band sound check with Madeline Bell at the Barbican Theatre on Oct 12tht. Also images of Barbican Centre and architecture, Check back soon for more pics
OCTOBER 7th
Images from Pete Cater Big Band concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 6th Oct. Also images of GreenPark Reading and Carters Steam Fair, also at Reading , Check back soon for more pics
September 29th
Images from Gillespiana concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 28th September. Also images of London South Bank scenes and Anti Iraq War march, Check back soon for more pics
September 21st
Images from Yorkshire Dales added, check back soon for more pics
August 30th
Images from Winnersh Show & Mapledurham House added, check back soon for more pics
August 26th
Images from Brecon Jazz Festival ,added to August 6th additions.
New galleries from 43 onwards include images of
What a festival Brecon was this year, one of the best in my opinion. My only disappointments were the absence of Ornette Coleman, for unknown reasons and Ruby Braff, due to illness. Everyone I met and talked to seemed to be enjoying it as much as I was. My own festival highlight was the Forcione/Sheppard concert which started late but went on until after 1:30am and was absolutely incredible. Maybe not "jazz" in the pure sense but world class music played with real passion by world class musicians. Catch them if ever you get the opportunity.
August 6th
Images from Tour de France , trip to the alps. Stages 15 & 16 Les Deux Alpes and Col de Galibier plus scenes en route to Grenoble and Brussels.
Off to Brecon on 9th for the festival. Looking forward to many artists especially McCoy Tyner, Charlie Mariano, Ornette Colman and the Mingus Big Band, check back soon for pics
June 2nd
Images from last weekends Bath Contemporary Jazz event added Galleries 33 to 37 comprising Andy Sheppard, Brian Irvine, Mark Feldman, John Taylor, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Tomorrows Warriors, Matthew Bourne, Mark Lockheart, Gebhard Ullmann, Paul Dunmall, Kenny Wheeler.. .
What a great weekend! A little gem of a 'festival' full of surprises. The highlight for me was the Gebhard Ulmann Trio doing a whole number using their clarinet mouthpieces only - mad genius !!
June 1st
Remaining pics from Cheltenham Jazz Festival added Galleries 28 to 32 comprising Iain Ballamy, Jazz Jamaica, Jools Holland, Sara Colman and Catherine Sykes. .
Attended the Bath Contemporary Jazz Weekend on 24th to 26th May, what a terrific feast of current music, artists from Courvoisier to Wheeler and many in between. Will be adding pics to site over the next few days.
May 19th
Well despite time, the universe and just about everything conspiring against me I have added pics of Anna Brooks Quintet, Bill Brufords Earthworks,Abdullah Ibrahim, Gareth Williams Trio, John Abercrombie Quartet, Django Bates Delightful Precipise,Gerard Presencer & Geoff Keezer, Marty Ehrlichs Travellors Tales, John Surman Quartet, Liam Noble Quintet, Randy Breker Sextet, Iain Ballamy .
Still more to come when I can find time to get them processed and uploaded.!!
May 12th
Wow !! The Cheltenham Jazz Festival was a real knockout this year, one of the best ever IMHO. I seemed to spend the whole weekend rushing between venues to photograph artists and listen to the music.
Overall favourites were John Surman and Dave Holland but I did not hear one performance that was less than excellent. I have added pics of Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Humphrey Littleton and Jazz Jamaica as well as Alex Steele
and guests.
Many more to come when I can find time to get them processed and uploaded.!!
April 23rd
Pics added from Geoff Gascoynes Quartet Gig with Ben Castle at The Albert, Hole, Bedminster, Bristol on Sunday 21st April, a really excellent performance by a very tight group who deserve greater exposure. Check out their CD 'Autumn' on jazzizit JITCD 0026, it's great and they have a new one coming out any week now.
Also added a few pics from last years Brecon Jazz Festival including Dave O'higgins, The Woody Herman Orch led by Frank Tiberi and an outstanding Italian Alto player called Stephano de Batista, check him out he is terrific.
April 14th
Added new pics to all categories except Jazz.
Added pricing information
I'm pleased to say I have obtained a Press Pass and Sales Pitch for this years Cheltenham Jazz Festival from 2nd to 6th May. The pics will be on sale at the Town Hall and I am really looking forward to my first attempt at direct selling, do come and say Hello. I am hoping to be selling most mornings since the afternoons and evenings will be spent attending concerts and taking new pics.
April 6th
Added 26 pics of Pete Longs Gillespiana taken at their gig at the 100 Club last Thursday.
March 31st
Bank holiday weekend and what a surprise - it's raining!
Added further pics of 'Patience' in the Misc section.
Also added pics of the BBO Big Band with whom I play baritone sax. We are a rehearsal band based at Lane End in Berkshire and do mainly charity gigs featuring the music of the famous bands.The band has raised over £140,000 since it was formed by Roy Hole some 15 yrs ago.Contact me for information on booking the band for your next charity function.
March 27th
The year rushes by and I am slowly getting the site up together, it's taking a lot longer than I thought!
The site is starting to get quite a few hits now but not many comments, Please let me know your views, all constructive criticism welcome!
Cheltenham Jazz Festival is only a few weeks away now, 2nd to 6th of May and I am hoping to be there updating my portfolio. I am also trying to get some space to sell my pics, hopefully at the Everyman Theatre.
There are some really great artists appearing this year and I am particularly looking forward to John Surman and Django Bates.Django is appearing with Delightful Precipice a big band containing many top contemporary players.
If you like jazz you'll love the CJF, do try and come along and help support a top class Jazz event. See you there!