Ain’t Misbehavin’ – tributes as jazz club celebrates 28 years

Music: Special programme of events to include the sounds of jazz greats Goodman and Waller

An Angus jazz club will celebrate its 28th year with a packed programme including tributes to Benny Goodman and Fats Waller.

They will be just two of the greats Jazz at Hospitalfield in Arbroath will be featuring in what has been described as “a perfect way to start off the new year’s programme”.

Waller was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer and comedic entertainer whose best-known compositions, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Honeysuckle Rose, were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999.

Goodman was an American jazz clarinetist and band leader known as the King of Swing who led one of the most popular musical groups in the United States. During an era of racial segregation, he led one of the first well-known integrated jazz groups.

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I carried out some research on who the audience would like to see in 2018 and I’m planning the programme with that in mind. ORGANISER ALAN STEADMAN

Jazz events at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath burst on to the local music scene 28 years ago with quality acts regularly topping the bill.

Organiser Alan Steadman said last year was another successful year.

He said sell-out concerts were staged monthly between January and October featuring the best of UK artists as well as guests from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

Mr Steadman said: “I carried out some research on who the audience would like to see in 2018 and I’m planning the programme with that in mind.

“It kicks off on Saturday January 13 with a swinging quartet of Scottish musicians, Brian Kellock on piano, John Burgess on reeds, Roy Percy on bass and Tom Gordon on drums.

“The music of Benny Goodman and Fats Waller will be just two of the jazz greats they will be featuring in a perfect way to start off the new year’s programme.

“In March, I’ll be introducing two of Scotland’s exciting young singers, Luca Manning and Georgia Cecile and at the other end of the scale, the legendary singer/pianist Daryl Sherman will be coming over from New York in April.

“Daryl is a performer with an abundance of versatility, style and charm.

“On the wider jazz front, the formation of a much-needed Scottish jazz archive is planned and I am to get involved in that.”

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Kris Miller. Alan Steadman of Jazz at Hospitalfield in Arbroath has put together a top line-up of acts for 2018.