Click the tree for a Christmas message…
Year: 2014
Old and new faces were seen smiling at the Christmas concert by the Phoenix Jazzmen and Sheila Fawkes on the first occasion Stafford Jazz Society put on it’s show at the White Eagle Club. Attendance was really good and we hope that this augers well for the new season starting on 4 January 2015 in our new home. We had Christmas carols, jazz-land style, two brolly parades and dancers joined in, both professional and amateur, which gave a new dimension to the show.
Stafford Jazz Society AGM – 2nd November 2014
The
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of
STAFFORD JAZZ SOCIETY
will be held on
SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2014
at
STAFFORD RANGERS SOCIAL CLUB
commencing
2-45pm
AGENDA
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT BY MEMBER’S SECRETARY
TREASURER’S PRESENTATION OF
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME TO ATTEND
Programme Change
STAFFORD JAZZ SOCIETY’S Anniversary Concert on
SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER 2014
12-30pm to 3-00pm
will feature
THE CHICAGO TEDDYBEARS
SOCIETY JAZZBAND
and NOT
THE SAVANNAH JAZZBAND
as previously advertised
The “Teddybears” as they are colloquially known have thrilled audiences over many years with their repertoire ranging from Dixieland to New Orleans always played with exuberance and vitality and always guaranteed to make any event swing.
No need to go “down to the woods” to find teddybears
– see them at Stafford Jazz Society!
PROGRAMME CHANGE
OUR PUBLISHED CONCERT LISTING FOR
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23rd 2014
IS: BEN HOLDER’S JAZZ QUARTET
HOWEVER, BEN HAS NOW BEEN OFFERED TWO CONCERTS AT LONDON’S HAYMARKET THEATRE ON THAT DAY AND HAS ASKED TO BE RELEASED FROM HIS CONTRACT. I HAVE AGREED AND CONGRATULATED BEN ON THIS PRESTIGEOUS BOOKING. IT COULD BE VERY PROFITABLE TO HIM CAREER-WISE AND I AM SURE EVERYONE AT STAFFORD JAZZ SOCIETY WISHES HIM ALL THE BEST.
THE REPLACEMENT BAND FOR NOVEMBER 23rd 2014 IS:
THE TAME VALLEY STOMPERS
TERRY’S DEAD GOOD BOYS
Did you know that Live Jazz was introduced to North Staffordshire 60 Years ago and Burslem is where it all began ?
To celebrate 60 years of Jazz, Burslem Park will be staging an afternoon of Trad Jazz, from the bandstand on the 30th of Aug…ust .
“60 Years And Still Stomping"
Will Include a Jazz art exhibition by Jazz enthusiast and artist Jenks, 2 x 1 hour Live performances from the Ceramic City Stompers, fronted by an original stomper trumpeter /radio presenter Mel Hill, and the legendary Eric Busker Newton. Mel and Eric will also be giving a talk on the origins, and 60 year history of Jazz in Staffordshire. Jazz Pianist Derek Harrison the spirit of piano jazz, will be performing entertaining and crowd pleasing tunes from Fats Waller to Oscar Peterson on our "PLAY ME I’M YOURS” Piano, which will be positioned in the bandstand from the 4th August to 1st September. (more info about this will be provided this week)
Look out for the flyer & posters explaining in more detail.
There are more musicians being added to the set as I write this.
David Grice
11 May 2014 saw SJS, in collaboration with Stafford Music Festival, hosting Marston’s Pedigree Jazzs Band – “Tribute to Trad Jazz” – at the White Eagle Club. The concert, which attracted an excellent audience, was well received with the audience enjoying the band’s good music and good humour. It was also a foretaste for members of things to come as the Society is due to move to the White Eagle Club as it’s regular venue as from it’s Christmas concert on 14 December.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
STAFFORD JAZZ SOCIETY MOVING TO THE WHITE EAGLE CLUB FROM JANUARY 2015
In February I received an invitation from the Stafford & District Polish Association to change our concert venue to their White Eagle Club. The Committee was keen to pursue this, terms were negotiated and at our last Committee Meeting the proposal was unanimously accepted. An Agreement has now been signed and the move will take effect from 1st January 2015.
The Committee believes this is a welcome and positive development and very much in the best long-term interests of Stafford Jazz Society.
The White Eagle Club is very accessible; situated in Riverway, Stafford ST16 3TH off the A34 Lichfield Road it is close to the town centre and within a short walking distance of regular public transport routes.
It is a spacious, modern and inviting facility; it is also well-known, well-used and widely regarded as a prestigious venue for the performing arts.
The Club has very good car-parking facilities, a competitively priced licensed bar and Julie & Martin will be able to continue to provide their valuable catering service at our concerts.
For those wanting a preview of the new venue we are holding our “Tribute to Trad Jazz” concert at the White Eagle Club on Sunday May 11th during the Stafford Music Festival. I am sure those who attended the same event there last year will remember it as being very successful and enjoyable.
The Stafford & District Polish Association also offers Stafford Jazz Society Members the opportunity to join the White Eagle Club without the necessity of an introduction by supporting/ recommending Club Members.
On behalf of the Committee I commend this change of Concert Venue to all our Members and to our wider audience and I look forward to your continued future support of Stafford Jazz Society.
Nick Balmforth MBE
Chairman