Yes, we are understandably feeling very proud. Not many jazz clubs can claim to have promoted jazz fifty nights a year for thirty years. Dennis Hitch, Bob Walker and Mike Gordon, the original trio, were just looking for somewhere to play and that’s how Scarborough Jazz started.
Professional film maker Dennis Lowe has made an outstanding thirteen minute film about Scarborough Jazz which also has some shots of the jazz festival. Dennis is famous for his special visual effects in ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ and ‘The English Patient’. Many thanks to him for giving his time and skills so generously.
We think the programme has been terrific. We have promoted:
- Some of the finest British Jazz: Esther Miller with Steve Melling on keyboards; The Jim Mullen Organ Trio; Alan Barnes; Milestones; The Dylan Howe Quintet; Tony Greenwood's 'We free Kings'; and the legendary Alan Skidmore.
- As part of our declared policy, some exciting young bands: 'Partikel' with Duncan Eagles; 'Yoruba' (part of Jazz Yorkshire's Jazz Futures project); Matt Anderson Quartet; 'Jazz Aesthetic' (Hull University 12-piece led by Peter Elsdon); and the Jamie Toms Band.
- Front-line pairings: some we've had before - Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden, Ron Burnett with Greg Wadman; some new - Jim Birkett and Frank Brooker, Pat McCarthy with Rick Woolgar.
- Our Scarborough Literature Festival link: 'Jazz and Dr Johnson'
- New soloists: Russell Bennett; Kate Peters and Kari Macari; with Tina Featherstone to come.
We have continued our successful players' nights and Christmas Party which give an opportunity for jazz musicians of all standards to perform.
The Scarborough Jazz Committee is well aware that our future success is dependent on your support. Please come along to our AGM and if you feel you have something to contribute get someone to nominate you for the committee.
Finally, I would like to give special thanks to Dick Armstrong for writing the copy for our programmes and the Scarborough Evening News and for producing brilliant reviews of our highlight events; Marian Gordon for her unstinting work behind the scenes, mailing out information and preparing poster content; our treasurer Dave Stroud; Bob Walker, our secretary, for the wonderful sound quality he produces (and his bass playing isn't bad!); Carol Draper for raising so much essential money on the raffle; Mick Draper for setting up and putting to bed our stage equipment; and to all the other committee members for their contributions. Also to David Baker for the website and Sarah Dyson for our Facebook and Twitter presence.
We would welcome any ideas to improve Scarborough Jazz.
Mike Gordon
Scarborough Jazz at the Cask Promoter
Scarborough Jazz Festival Director
