Charlie Parker on Dial

If you are a long-time reader of the Washminster post, you'll know that I have a love of jazz. One of the attractions of living in Milton Keynes is The Stables - a venue set up by Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine. Last night I treated myself to a visit - to see 'Charlie Parker On Dial'

In 1946 and 1947 Parker made a number of recordings on the Dial Label. The evening involved Alex Webb (who was also on the piano) giving us the background to those recordings. The band were good - with Nathaniel Facey on the alto sax and Steve Fishwick on trumpet. There were some superb vocals from Vimala Rowe. I recommend the show.

Alex finished by recommending that the audience listen to the original recordings - I will be getting out my "Bird" CDs!



There's more jazz coming up at the Stables. Next Sunday the Georgina Jackson Quartet are playing at the "Sunday Sessions" which kick off at 11.30am. On Sunday 18th, there is an evening dedicated to Tubby Hayes.  The first half will see a screening of a film about Hayes - the second well see the Simon Spillett Quartet play some of the music associated with him.

Chet Baker

As my thoughts turn to the holidays - I'm starting to relax. One of the great aids to relaxation is music - and, as long time readers of this blog know, I love jazz. So today's post is not about Congress or Parliament - but instead, Chet Baker, who was born on this day in 1929.



Coming from a musical family, Chet learned to play a number of musical instruments. He is most well known for playing the trumpet. In his early years he played with both Stan Getz and Charlie Parker. He joined Gerry Mulligan's quartet - and I love listening to the interplay between Mulligan and Baker on the Carnegie Hall concert CD which I have.



A website dedicated to Chet Baker can be accessed here.

The Sir John Dankworth Story

Another superb 'Jazz Matters' yesterday morning at The Stables. Peter Vacher gave a presentation on the life and work of Sir John Dankworth. He began by playing "Three Blind Mice", the chart-topping piece which involves variations on the famous childrens' song. I particularly liked the way that Peter Vacher illustrated the way that Sir John's music developed and the sheer range of his abilities.

The transtlantic influence was discussed. Sir John was a clarinetist before (and after) taking up the Saxophone. Benny Goodman was a key influence. Mr Vacher described how Laurie Morgan brought back 78s of 'be-bop jazz' from New York - and shared them with budding British jazz musicians such as Johnny Dankworth and Ronnie Scott. British be-bop then developed. In the late 1940s Johnny Dankworth was one of the jazz musicians who played on the transatlantic liners. They would perform on the crossings (all styles of music, not just jazz) - and then head for the jazz clubs in New York where the leaders of the be-bop movement, such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, were performing. Mr Vacher illustrated with recordings of Sir John how he both learned from these masters and developed his own style.

The presentation finished with the theme from "Tomorrow's World" - composed and performed by Sir John Dankworth.