Leisure and entertainment
August 2014 Click here for the Stamford Arms news
How far will you travel to hear live jazz?
Venues in nearby villages
There's not a lot of opportunity to hear jazz locally nowadays. So how far would you travel to attend a live jazz session? Sadly The Brant, the Stamford and Groby Club have all tried to establish regular jazz sessions but all have eventually been dropped.
In August there was a one off café format session planned at Groby Village Hall featuring Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, a saxophone and keyboards duo from Scotland. Unfortunately it had to be cancelled and it seems that local jazz fans missed a treat. The duo have had sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and perform classic jazz standards as well as original compositions to a video backdrop of scenes from the Scottish landscape.
Would you travel 5 miles?
With little jazz in Groby you could try the monthly big band sessions at the Royal Oak in Kirby Muxloe. They play on the last Monday of the month, so the next performance is on the 29th September at 8.30 pm and costs £5. That's good value for a band this size. Musical Director Roger Parsons and the Leicester Big Band provide for your entertainment “the very best in hot foot-tapping music from the great swing and jump jive era from the 1940s to the 1960s, recreating the original arrangements of the great Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Artie Shaw.” Fronted by two vocalists and having a full complement of saxes, trumpets and trombones, they are well placed to produce some nostalgic big bands sounds.
Alternatively you could head off in the opposite direction to the long running Priory Jazz Club on Nanpantan Road near Loughborough. There are bands every Thursday. Most bands booked are traditional, dixieland or New Orleans style bands but some mix this with swing or mainstream numbers for an interesting variety. They have about 20 bands which they book each year but also like to try new bands that are recommended to them.
At times, they have been able to book bands from abroad while they are on tour in Britain. These include The Bla Mandag band from Denmark and The Spicy Advice Jazz Band from Sweden. International jazz violinist, Tim Kliphuis from Holland with his Hot Club of France style tribute to Stephane Grappelli has also appeared. On Thursday October 23rd the Swedish 9 piece Jelly Babies Trad Jazz Band return to The Priory during their sixth English tour, with their lively, happy brand of Jazz. Food is served up to the time the jazz starts at 8.30pm and admission is £8. The club website at http://www.jazzpriory.co.uk/ has full details of bands booked for the next couple of months.
Would you travel 7 miles?
If so you'll enjoy the monthly sessions at the Newbold Verdon Working Mens Club on Main Street. The club was saved by it's members when the promoter said he was pulling out. If you decide to visit you’ll find drinks at club prices and although you can’t get a meal there you can pick up a filled roll for supper. “Newbold Verdon Jazz Club has been running for over twenty years and has hosted some great traditional jazz bands,” said Maureen. “If you enjoy traditional jazz we would love to see you at our concerts. Dancers are always welcome too. Do come along and join us and have a great evenings entertainment. ”
More details from Kelvin 01455 822824 or Pauline 01162 865496.
Would you travel further?
You may prefer to listen to jazz at lunchtime which may mean a trip into Leicester or out to Stoughton or Oakham. Trombonist Dave Harmer, whose jazz pedigree goes right back to Leicester's Russ Merryfield Jazz Band, has produced this list of jazz venues throughout the East Midlands as at August 2014. Remember to check with the venue before you travel. The photo shows Dave's New Orleans Hotshots.
Tue. The Titanic Jazz Band (sitters-in welcome) 12.30-3.00pm
The Donkey, 203 Welford Road, Leicester. Free 0116 2705042
Tue. The Down Home Jazzmen, Clock Warehouse, Shardlow DE72 2GL
(2nd and 4th Tuesdays) 8.30-11pm Free 01332 792 84
Tue. The Canalside Stompers, The Wharf Inn, Welford, Northants. Free
NN6 6JQ. (every 3rd Tuesday of month) 7.30-10pm 01858 575075
Wed. The Cow and Plough, Gartree Road, Stoughton, 12noon (free)
Leicester. Lunchtime Jazz 0116 2720852
Wed. J for Jazz. The Coach and Horses, Lubenham 8.30pm(free)
near Market Harborough, Leics. (restaurant also) 01858 463183
Wed. The Risley Park Jazz Club. The Risley Park Inn.
Derby Rd. Risley. (nr. M1 jct25) 01509 842537 8.30 (£9)
(top Bands from all parts of the Country) (fortnightly)
Thur. The Dog & Gun, 28 Chapel Street, Syston LE7 1GN. 12.30pm (free)
Jazz every week! (3rd Thurs: New Orleans Hotshots) 0116 2609366
Thur. Brookside Jazz Band. The Brunswick (nr.Derby station) 8.30 (free)
Thur. Jazz at the Priory, The Priory Hotel, Nanpantan Rd. Loughborough
LE11 3YD 01509 216 333 8.30 (£8)
Top Trad jazz bands from far and wide. (Meals until 9pm)
Thur. Nottingham Rhythm Club, 190 Nottingham Road, Basford. NG5 1EG
Top Trad Jazz Bands every month. 8.00pm. £8 01509 882253
Thur. Three Crowns, 42 Northgate, Oakham. Rutland. LE15 6QS. 12.30pm
(2nd and 4th Thurs. The New Orleans Hotshots) Free. 01572 757441
Fri. Newbold Verdon Jazz Club. W.M Club. Main Street, 8.30 (£8)
Newbold Verdon. (1st Fri. of every month) (01455 822824)
Top bands from all over the country. (Dancers welcome)
Sun. Jazz-a-matazz, Westwood Club, Westwood Heath Rd. Coventry. (£5)
CV4 8GP. Top bands each week. 12.15-3 pm 02476 403 707
Sun. The Bell Inn,18 Angel Row, Market Sq. Nottingham.NG1 6HL (free)
The Footwarmers Jazz Band. Good Food! (0115 947 5241) 12.30pm
Sun. The Walnut Tree, Station Road, Blisworth, Northants. NN7 3DS (£8)
Top bands. Good Food. (01604 858549)