Waitrose are already selling Heston's Christmas puddings

Summer ended abruptly. The onset of autumn brings around thoughts of gigs and events to come. Either I'm mistaken or there's a slowly growing swell of interest in jazz around Exeter, with all sorts of new venues coming on stream and some interesting gigs from established "clubs". I always mention www.bluevanguard.com as being at the forefront, and they now have details of gigs on their website stretching into 2015. They have Peter King as guest on Wednesday 29th October-and yes that's right it's Wednesday this month instead of the usual Thursday. The Bridge Jazz Club blows every first Wednesday of the month and you can out further details by going to www.exeterphoenix.org I'd also like to mention Roz Harding who is putting on some interesting gigs at the Clifford Room at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter, the next of which is on Friday 24th October at 8pm. There's also a regular programme of jazz events at The Beehive in Honiton, and apparently another monthly session happening in Crediton of which more next time (when I've spoken more fully to the guy who runs it!).

Marcin Wasilewski Trio with Joakim Milder:

The album "Spark of life" was released by ECM earlier this week. It's everything that I hoped it would be - and is certainly going to figure in the revised end of year Top 10 even after relatively few hearings. The 11 track album has 5 self written tunes and a plethora of other styles to explore from the radical deconstruction of " Message in a bottle" through a version of Herbie Hancock's "Actual Proof" as well as a version of Bacewitz's "Largo". "Austin" is a dream like tribute with just the trio playing, but Milder is an extremely restrained tenor player and works his way around the excellent productive and innovative trio format. Highly recommended!

Slowly Rolling Camera:

Pleased to say that they have a limited edition EP released in November. I've only heard snippets, but it sounds as though it's a great addition to their work. I caught them in the summer at the Love Supreme Festival and am actively chasing their management with a view to an interview on the show. Watch this space.

Vibraphonic Festival 2015 (and beyond):

The festival will take place at the end of March 2015, and the jazz line-up has been subject to considerable fluctuation (to say the least). However I can confirm that Troyka have been booked for Thursday 19th March, and further details of the gig, the prices and their new album should appear her by the end of the year. Watch out for another name to add to the festival. Further forward in April Marius Neset" with his quintet will appear at the "The Phoenix". The band includes one of my favourite vibes player Jim Hart. More details on this soon.
Meanwhile make sure that you get to your local Waitrose before those puddings sell out or you discover that their "best before" date is before the festive celebrations!

 

  With the extension of summer into October it's not yet time to abandon the theme of 'mid summer thoughts', but it is time to look forward to what the whole month will have to offer. Firstly there's the much anticipated arrival of a new album from:

Marcin Wasilewski:

Having appeared earlier in the year on the excellent Jacob Young album (see my embryonic Top 10 of the year) the arrival of "Spark of life" around 13th October is eagerly anticipated (by me!). This time the trio will be joined by saxophonist Joakim Milder with a set of tunes that includes a Herbie Hancock tune, A Police tune and an arrangement of some Polish classical music. If any of the tracks are anywhere near as good as "Night Train to you" from the "Faithful" album, it'll be on my turntable on heavy rotation.

Sarah Moule:

The singer and her band visit "The Beehive Arts Centre" at Honiton on 18th October. She's bringing the majority of the band that appears on her excellent album " Songs from the floating world" and I'll be talking to her on "The Edge of Jazz" on 14th October at around 15:00 to find out a bit more ablout the album , her career and the Honiton gig. The Beehive, by the way, have a website at www.beehivehoniton.co.uk and to catch up on with Sarah on twitter you can find here at @Sarahmoule1

Paragon:

Oh dear! The possibility of mistaken identity here I think. They are not to be confused with a heavy metal band of the same name from Minehead, nor the Gloucestershire based traditional jazz band. They are an Anglo German band of jazzers who are going to be out on the road promoting their new album in Teignmouth on 2nd November. More details in a later October blog (probably once the weather has deteriorated!).

Regular Local gigs:

Well worth remembering that there are three Exeter based events every month. The very long running Blue Vanguard club meets monthly at the Gypsy Hill Hotel and you can find details at www.bluevanguard.co.uk There's also a jam session every first Wednesday of the month at the Phoenix in Exeter, which is also an opportunity to blow (it's cheaper if you do!) and Roz Harding is organising a monthly event at the Barnfield Theatre and there'll be more details of that in the next blog.
If you've got any questions or want to eradicate mistakes, please feel free to contact me at
info@edgeofjazz.com