We hadn’t seen him for years, but there he was, the amazing bass-player Nico Gomez, over from France and back in action at last with Snowboy & The Latin Section at Ronnie Scott’s. Dave Pattman was on bongo & campana, Davide Giovannini on drums, timbales and vocals, along with various guests: Dave Oliver on keyboards, Shanti Jayasinha on trumpet, Dave Bitelli, tenor sax (first show) and Pete Wareham (second show). Some official photos of these titanic shows can be seen on Snowboy’s Facebook Page, a place well worth a visit for news of some huge gigs to come this year.
Harry Strutters is busy again this month, finally returning to theatres last seen before the plague. It will be great to be back in Hull again and that date will bring an opportunity to nip over to Beverley the day after to sit in with The Climax Jazz & Blues Band at the Lairgate.
One theatre that Harry Strutters may never return to is The Coliseum Theatre in my blighted home town, Oldham. Since ACE withdrew its funding, it may now have to close down, even though it’s been a cultural gem since 1885. See the story in the Oldham Chronicle.
Please note that the monthly Monday gig with Mick Collins Legacy Jazz Orchestra has had to shift from the usual first Monday to the 13th February, due to a sumo wrestling event or some knitting or something.
Meanwhile in Rotherhithe, the big news, of course, is the first Book Party, to promote Better Late Than Sorry, in a lovely Italian cafe. This will be a very informal affair, getting under way by about six o’clock with a few outbursts of trombone and readings from the book. Copies of the paperback will be there in great tottering piles, along with a few copies of the Speech CD. There’ll be lots of chat and maybe the odd beer. Buy someone a Valentine present (not the beer).
FEBRUARY DATES : please click links for more details.
Warning: Better Late Than Sorry will of course be available at all these events!
Sunday 5 February, 19:30
Swinging at the Cotton Club
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
Apex Theatre, 1 Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD
Wednesday 8 February, 19:00
A Bigger MOUTH – improvising ensemble:
13 Pearson St., London E2 8JD
Friday 10 February, 17:30 doors, 18:00 start
(cafe opens 9:00)
Monday 13 February, 20:00 doors, 20:30 start
Mick Collins Legacy Jazz Orchestra
Sundridge Park Working Mens Club and Institute
134 Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley BR1 5AF
Wednesday 15 February, 18:30 doors, 20:00 show
99 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF
Thursday 16 February 19:30
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
Hull Truck Theatre
50 Ferensway, Hull HU2 8LB
Saturday 18 February, 13:00
Roberta Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
4a Station Way
London SE15 4RX
Friday 24 February, 20:00
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
The Stables
Stockwell Ln, Wavendon
Milton Keynes MK17 8LU
Saturday 25 February
The Cotswold Park Soul Weekender
Sunday 26 February, 19:30
John Bennett Band