Sunday concerts prove that jazz is going strong
REPORTS of its demise, be this actual or assumed, continue to emerge, but traditional jazz remains obstinately alive and kicking - nowhere more so perhaps than in Rochdale, where Jazz On A Sunday’s regular fortnightly concerts continue to attract audience numbers in excess of those in recent years.
This year began on a high with the visits in January of a pair of long-time favourites - drummer Norman Pennington’s Tame Valley Stompers, with Terry Brunt on trombone and in early February of clarinet supremo Mart Rodger and his Manchester Jazz.
February also saw the eagerly-anticipated return of New Orleansstyle trombonist Mike Owen, joined as he had been last time by the Delph-based Spirit of New Orleans and again, predictably, bringing the house down.
Then in March it was back to the roots of the traditional jazz boom in Britain, courtesy of a third visit to the club by clarinet player Chris Walker’s Pedigree Jazz Band with its ‘Tribute to Trad Jazz’, focusing, almost inevitably, on the Barber, Ball, Bilk catalogue - although not exclusively so - and, thanks to Chris’s insights and anecdotes, as fresh and enjoyable as ever.
Following that came a band new to Jazz On A Sunday, namely The Chase Jazzmen, a five-piece outfit from the West Midlands and a programme of traditional and popular tunes ranging from the early 1900s to the 1950s.
With The Old Fashioned Love Band having to cancel at short notice, some adept juggling of dates by organiser Tony Sheldon served to provide an extra gig for April.
First up were The Chicago Teddy Bears with reedsman John Hallam, now seemingly a semi-permanent fixture with The Teds, in fine form.
Seven days later came The Yorkshire Stompers with their trademark all-encompassing mix of tunes, ranging from classic jazz to spirituals and finally, at short notice, to end the month, were the Bolton-based Dixie Beats.
Led by trumpeter John Percival, they featured 17-year-old reeds player Alex Clarke, surely a star in the making.
Jazz On A Sunday performances are held fortnightly at New Town National Club, Nixon Street, Castleton, on Sundays from 8pm to 11pm. Doors open at 7.15pm.
Admission costs £7 and ample parking is available immediately adjacent and nearby.
For more information, call 0161 740 3714.