Sole Bay Jazz plus…

Another great night of live jazz, nice to see a good crowd to support the band again…

We are lucky to have such a good venue, even if we did have to paddle across the car park which was flooded! Hope you managed not to have  any odd socks left Jon (ha ha you will know what I mean)…

Nice to see Heidi back off holiday always smiling…and looking after us…
 

The photos are not that good but never mind will pop them on and you can have a laugh I will get them right one night…

Simon came and gave us some songs and think on this photo everyone was listening not playing!

Tim and Tony lost in the music…

Craig looking for something and glad you found it great drum solo at the end…

A night of closed eyes obviously! nice singing Simon and Chris…

Barbara…Tony…Derek…Chris…Craig…Tim…Simon…Dave…thanks for a really good 

jazz evening

Dave  gave us a couple of numbers on the drums.

Maybe a lot of catching up going on as a lot of chatting whilst the band were performing it is not too bad when the band  are nice and noisy but not much respect when they are solo playing! Still it is good to see a nice crowd and the band really love the reaction after the numbers. They do not seem to mind the chatter so suppose I should not! But my blog so I can moan!

I am going to pop a photo on of our dear Sheila who I caught unawares last night…(hope you do not mind Sheila could not resist this one) wife of Keith who even though not as healthy as both  would like  to be… always turn up to support the musicians in many many ways…(Sheila with one of her lovely daughters who are a great support for both of them. Good health my dear friend…hope it is good news…you are one of the best and we all love you)

Paralympic Ceremony

I do hope a nice lot of people who look in on here managed to see the brilliant opening ceremony of the Paralympics.

I was so amazed at all the wonderful things that they put on. The Olympic opening for the games was good, rather too much going on for me, but this opening was so easy to understand and appreciate.

One of my Sons has written a great piece on his blog and I could not compete with it… wish I could have pinched it for here! but I hope that the games go well and I admire everyone who has the sheer guts to get on with their lives after such trauma. There but for the Grace of God go anyone of us…

When the Marine came down on the wire to light the flame wow I could not believe how they managed that one.

The whole show was beautiful and tasteful. Wonderful singing and the dance with the man who had lost his legs fantastic…

"You are what you are" sang at the end sums it all up.

Well done to all and good luck for the games "bring it on"…

SOLE BAY JAZZ BAND 30th AUGUST…

Well we have nearly come to the end of another month, time goes so fast nowadays.

I looked on here yesterday to show a friend and realized my life on the blog seems to consist of Jazz and more Jazz, I must start to make my diary more interesting, however it has been such a great way to spend time with these musicians and hear them playing I hope you enjoy it as well. I have a stat counter on here and it shows a lot of folk do look in so thank you on behalf of the bands, we are so lucky to have good live music on our doorsteps.

This weeks line up is…

Tim Densham…clarinet/saxophone… with Derek Cubitt 

back with his clarinet and sax…

Joining them Chris Capocci …trombone and vocals…

Tony Jullings on his magic string bass…Barbara Greene…
back with us playing her banjo…

Craig Hipperson our smiling super drummer…

and of course as usual one never knows who will come along to join in…

Come along and support these fine musicians in a live jazz evening starting at 8pm through to 10.30pm.

Norfolk Dixieland Band

On Monday I was taken to Reepham to hear the Norfolk Dixieland Band, as you can see I get really spoiled with all these outings and I do appreciate them… Thanks Tim for taking Sheila, Keith and me, also for the meal…

The band always look so good in their Blue shirts and it is a very good sound there in the courtyard…

I always manage to get a good photos of Bill with his trombone, he plays so sweet…

Pete… you all know how I love the guitar and he plays it so well…

Simon Nelson popped along and gave us a few tunes, he of course has his own band DixieMix they will be playing next Sunday there.

I always try and take photos of Simon for his young lady who always looks in so this is for her…Although he is in a rival band!

The jazz was really great  and the company …always a pleasure to catch up with Jean and Judy. Jean makes sure the speakers are set up well and looks after Vic and all the band, thanks for the coffee Jean and hope to see you soon.

Thanks again for the Sunday outing Tim…

'The Footwarmers'

Rather late getting photos on as have been enjoying two days of jazz…Firstly with the Footwarmers…

The Conservative Club had a good Sunday with the 'Footwarmers ' giving everyone a good lunch time of jazz and blues.

Mike on clarinet…Roy Saxophone and vocal…Ian saxophone … I took a terrible photo so will not put it on this time! Tony Jullings on his string bass, Barbara Greene…banjo… Bill on keyboard and vocal… Dave with his renewed posh drums…

A good time was had by all… Julia and Michael providing the BBQ Caraline and Mel providing smiling faces behind the bar…and plenty of audience clapping, next month on  30th September they will return so make sure you do not miss it, a great way to spend Sunday Lunch!

SOLE BAY JAZZ PLAYING A FANTASTIC JAZZ NIGHT…

I must just say a huge thank you to the Sole Bay Jazz Gentlemen who always play well and give their all, but last night they were more…fanciful…capricious…excellent… and as many adjectives you can think of.

What a great turn out of supporting fans, I must say thank you on behalf of the band as the feed back was so good from the audience and if course that encourages the band to enjoy it all the more…

A very hot and sticky evening but so many people there, doors are hard to leave open as the folk who sit near them get cold, while we all steam, but never mind, and the clever thought of some fans who brought garden chairs as it was so packed.

Thanks Jon you and your lady behind the bar did good, bet Heidi was sorry to have missed it, but hope she is having a good holiday.

Ron Hockett…Ray Simmonds…Tim Densham…Alan Cugnoni…Craig Hipperson…Tony Jullings…

All such great musicians and they blended so well last night at the Pavilion…

I did not get a photo of Simon Denny this week, but he came along and sang some lovely songs for us, I love Mood Indigo thanks Simon…

So just when you think it cannot get any better…Where would you be able to go for a night of live jazz music for free apart from the price of a pint? or your favourite tipple? so although the venue gets full do please come along and support these fine musicians and if you are worried you will not get a seat, bring your own! great idea Rosemary…

Line up on here as soon as Alan can get it to me, I must say Alan you do a good job, but you did a real beauty this week.

Another Birthday Treat…

Yesterday my sister in law Jan took me for lunch as part of my birthday treat… what a great day out, we did not know where to eat, so started off without a plan, however Jan decided to go to Blythburgh White Hart and as we went nice and early decided to have a wander, as we had not been there for a while, they have now opened the path by the river to Walberswick, however as we did not have walking shoes on we only walked part of the way with a promise of good shoes another day it is about 3 miles and unless one falls in it will be a good walk…

Some lovely views…

Nice trees as well…

Not very clear this one but that is Southwold over the water…

Lots of birds on the water…

Then lunch at the Hart, and a very nice one as well they have gone more up market since we had last been, and it was a very tasty lunch … we got very full!

Off to Southwold then and my goodness what a crowd … cars and people, I do not think we had ever seen it so full, we mostly go in the off peak times …but it was a fun drive Jan through all the traffic looking for a space, but none anywhere so we left…

 So off Jan drove to Lowestoft where there were many more people as it was a sailing regatta lots of lovely boats and some dodgy sailing!

A good day as a nice breeze to aid the sails…

A nice cuppa and then a walk through the Park the swans and ducks were having fun as the tide was high…Some of the fishermen were actually sitting on the edge of the deck but they were in the water the tide was so high, did not like to take a photo of them though they looked very comical as it looked like they were sitting on top of the water…

On to buy some strawberries for tea, and then home,  what a great day and so good to have Jan on her own for a while she is always helping other people and we used to love our walks, once again thanks Jan for a lovely day… My turn to take you out for your birthday in September…

SOLE BAY JAZZ FOR THE 23rd AUGUST…

Alan has got us a great line up again this week at the

 Pavilion Ditchingham…

Tim Densham… and Ron Hockett 

playing …Clarinet/Saxophone …

With Ray Simmonds… Trumpet…a fine front line…

Aided by Alan Cugnoni…Banjo/Guitar…

Tony Jullings…String Bass…such  solid backing there…

also back Craig Hipperson…Drums…and a great smile…

As usual one never knows who may pop along to join them… 

So looks like another good night of live jazz music from some really popular players…

Come along and support them and have a great night…

Banningham Crown…

Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band playing at 'Banningham Crown' yesterday afternoon and what a good day in all ways…

The Gentlemen always look so smart in their Blue shirts, and what great jazz they played…

Tim …Vic …John…Pete… here starting the afternoon off…

The other Vic on bass with Pete giving us a song and Tony giving some yummy trombone…

Pete plays a really great guitar and I love guitar…

Tim and John…

A couple of smiles from Tim and Vic…It was a fun afternoon nice to see so many happy faces.

Some good songs from Pete and Tony as well…

Thank you so much Tim for once again taking me …Keith and Sheila for the great meal and company…also the tea and wander round the garden when we got home…nice to see Susie as well…

Lovely to meet up again with Jean and Judy, and a nice lot of people who used to go to the Diplomat on a Sunday, shame that closed. Nice place the Crown and the staff are so very fast at serving the good meals and friendly with it.

Well done also to the chef on the BBQ liked the umbrella over the cooking to save it getting the coals wet.

The weather started off really hot and sunny then half way through the heavens opened and gave us a good soaking, with some lightning thrown in! luckily the band were under cover, and Jean was fast getting some black bags over the equipment that was in the open, even if Tony did 'borrow' one for his trombone, Jean soon sorted him out ha ha.

Then the sun came out so brightly that the umbrellas we used for the rain were turned into sunshades.

Great day thanks again for spoiling me.

SOLE BAY JAZZ and a Birthday Bash

Will write and  post photos after shopping but a great night was had by me and lots of you all…
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Right here I am again hope the photos turn out OK.………

The Sole Bay which included those listed below plus Ray on the piano which was a very nice plus…They all played really great and it was my birthday which I thought had been kept in low key! So a special treat…

Barbara and Ray looking serious great playing from those two…and Derek with his nice bright shirt with Tony looking up …

Tony P this time giving us some great trombone and lovely vocals…

Tim playing the clarinet very well and putting the mike up so we can hear what he says, he has a great line of chat now we can hear him…

Sorry Neil you were well hidden you did smile but not when I took this…

Yet another of Ray and Barbara caught in the full flow of the music…

I just would like to thank everyone for the lovely evening, of course the band but especially to June who gave me the biggest surprise coming in with the cake and candles (yes Colin I did hear you say there were not enough candles!)

Thanks for all the lovely gifts and cards as well… much appreciated…

Heidi hope you have a great holiday see you in two weeks, working well as always…

Roll on next week, Alan will post me the line up and I will pop it on here …

SOLE BAY JAZZ 16th August…Ditchingham…

This coming Thursday Alan has got together another fine line up so hoping for another

 fun filled night of live jazz music…

Front line will be Tim Densham… and  Derek Cubitt …Clarinet/Saxophone…

A welcome back to Tony Parsons… Trombone… and Songs…

Assisted by Tony Jullings… String Bass… Neil Kane…Drums…

And another visit from Barbara Greene with her Banjo…

Maybe Simon Denny will pop in and serenade us as well? or Roy?

Hope to see another good crowd of happy fans…

Come and support the Sole Bay Jazz at

The Pavilion, Ditchingham…

8pm-10.30pm

Black and White

See… I knew David would know what I did wrong with the photos here is one he did for me clever isn't he. Hope I can get it right next time.

Very moody Black and White I like it.

HAPPY JAZZ!

What a really good night of live music this week, happy and fun and very well played as always.. from the Sole Bay plus a few more…

Once again the Pavilion was nice and full and Heidi as usual nice and cool and calm 

good work Heidi, nice to see Jon and Marilyn about as well.

More new faces as well as the great loyal fans …so a good night was had by all, very hot evening so the band was cooking well. But so was the applause…

The different size photos are due to me not giving myself time to get them on here, just click on them and they should be better…but could not resist trying out the new black and white feature I have discovered!

It was nice to have Mike Daniel's playing cornet a good  sound have not heard him before…

Bill nice to see you again always such  lovely mellow trombone playing…

Actually got a photo of Tony looking up  he can make that string bass talk to you…

Tim great clarinet playing as usual, sorry I was so pushy about the microphone ha ha!

Alan on the banjo/guitar keeping the beat and Craig drumming so great as always, Peter took over Craig's drums for a couple of numbers… and Simon sang us some really great songs during the evening as well.

Thanks to all the band and the fans who made it another special evening…

9th August… SOLE BAY JAZZ at the Pavilion…Ditchingham…

Alan has got us a great line up for this week at the Sports Pavilion Ditchingham… I was rather negative last week about the fun side of things, but of course it was only my opinion and the musicians as always played well it just did not gel for me, but with the look of this weeks line up it should be fun and I do hope we see another good attendance to support these fine performers who play us such good live jazz…

On the front line we have Tim Densham…saxophone/clarinet…

A welcome return to Bill Brewer… trombone …a fine player…

A newcomer to me but not of course to some of you 

Mike Daniels who will be playing trumpet…

Backed up well with Tony Jullings on string bass … such a brilliant player of the instrument…

Alan back again with his banjo and guitar

 keeping the beat…ably assisted by 

Craig Hipperson on drums… who is fast becoming one of the best players in this area just love his drum solos…

So we do hope to see a nice lot of support for these musicians…

Come early to get a good seat as this is turning out to be a well attended venue, it is good to see regular fans with a good mix of newcomers to live jazz music…

Start time 8pm through to 10.30pm…

Hot Cool Blue!

What a great way to spend Sunday lunchtime…

The Butchers Arms proving a good venue for the band…

Nice to meet up with good friends…

Cool Blue you were rather HOT…

Got you smiling Simon…

Craig as always a nice smile…nearly got Tony…

Lin great saxophone playing…

Ian and Mick …Love guitar as you all know…

Barry caught you unsmiling sorry…but great piano…and blues singing…

Eyes closed again…but lovely singing…

Cool Blue with Simon…Barry…Craig…Lin…Mick…Tony…and today a few plays from Dave on the drums, and Ian on saxophone…

Great singing and what a drum solo from Craig brought the best out with the audience …

Thanks guys and gals look forward to next month…

COOL BLUE

 Sunday 5th August at lunchtime will see the great little band "Cool Blue" 

playing again at the "Butchers Arms" public house…

If you want a really good afternoon of live music played by this great little band 

then come along and support them…

Live music is so good and these are a tight little group of people are worth a look.

 The Butchers Arms is on London Road in Beccles on the corner of Kemps Lane so you should be able to find it with ease…

Sole Bay Jazz

Another different line up last night of live jazz music.

It was very hot and humid there and the band was so spread out, so afraid I did not get any photos,

I hope everyone enjoyed the music which was played as always very well…

Nice to see some more new faces, as some of the usual fans are on holiday it filled the Pavilion up again. Well done Heidi and Jon for coping so well at the bar.

Pity for me the band were spread so far forward, and I as usual had the post to contend with so could only see a couple of the musicians also the speakers seemed a bit wrong for us at the side so the wonderful sound was a bit distorted, but never mind hopefully that was just me.

Because the band was rather static there did not seem to be as much fun going on, but again it may have been just where I was sitting I do like to see the guys…and I have been very spoiled  in the past usually close up … will have to change where I sit I think.

Roy who gave us some good rousing songs which brought some loud cheers, again I could not see him perform his antics because of the post! but by the sound of the applause he did his usual thing.

So will await next weeks line up and we will have another good session of well played live music, and I will make sure I can see and hear more and take some photos, sorry guys but my little camera could not get you all in.  Maybe you can play a bit closer next week?

Ditchingham Maltings

Great news for folk around here I think… Maybe some who will object.

The Maltings have been derelict for many years and they have at last been given permission to build some houses there and redo the bridge that leads into the village.

It has been a real eye sore, but  hopefully some well designed houses will be a great improvement.

The reason for putting it on here is to warn some of the folk that come to the jazz at the Pavilion in Ditchingham as they are starting to clear the site in September. But of course they will not start building for a long time. And will not be working at the time of the jazz…

I am sure there will be plenty of signs, and it should not affect anyone until they start on the bridge and doubt if that will be for quite a while, however fore warned is fore armed!

They are going to take some of the remains from the site that hold names of air men and other relics to the Flixton Air Museum so they will not be lost, as so much has been in the past, the Museum is a great place to visit.

 Beccles Museum also has a  lot of beautiful memories of the past from the Waveney Valley, that is worth a look if anyone is interested, my Uncle Eugene was the town's Honorary Archivist  and wrote for newspapers he had a great love of the past, not that he condemned the changes but felt we had to record them so the past was remembered for the good things, I am lucky enough to have some newspaper cuttings of his that record the  Ditchingham maltings fire and many other things from the past he recorded so have always been interested…

So look forward to seeing lots of jazz fans tonight and in the future when we tell people how to get to the Sports Pavilion they will not have to see the poor ruins of the old maltings.