bassace

Yes Lozz, all of the above. I had a conversation with our guitarist yesterday and we both agreed no hurry. However I do know some professional musicians, really talented guys who, like a lot of musos, scrape along at the best of times. It’s those I feel very sorry for and I hope they get back in work before too long. I’ve always felt that music is the best hobby but not the best way of earning a living. With a few exceptions, of course.

They’ve lifted the restriction on gatherings up to 30, so does that mean jazz is ok?

I didn’t see a bass face.

I use iReal Pro. If there is a set list you can shuffle each tune into one but almost every gig I do doesn’t have one.

Is Elton still standing? Just askin’.

Probably none till next year now, I’m not holding my breath. When we do resume my DB fingers will be well shredded. And I’ll be a year older, that much closer to Gods waiting room. Waiting for the Glastonbury call maybe. Or not. Its all cheerful isn’t it.

Percussionist. def........a drummer who can’t swing.

Anyone remember The Spartans by Sounds Incorporated? In the sixties they were the universal backing band. And Cast Your Feet to the Wind by Sounds Orchestral. Great piano by Johnny Pearson.

Derek (Goldfinger) Watkins used to do a lot of work with him.

That’s for a jazz gig.

Is George Martin still building basses, or has he gone back to DBs?

I like my jazz. But my head likes to get out into the country at regular intervals, and breathe. So it’s Vaughn Williams (anything by) over here and Copeland’s Appalachian Spring over there.

Was due to do this yesterday but it was called off after common sense prevailed. So it might be rescheduled for a few weeks time, otherwise who knows.

‘What sort of stuff do you play, mate.’’ ’Jazz from 1940 to 1980’. (sniff) ‘ Oh, covers then’.

Well, it was, Jack. On the same bill as Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee.

Like this? Ignore the player, the pic was taken 60 years ago. Oh all right. Have a bloody good laugh if you want to!

Do you mean Esther?

On 22 September 1989 a bomb exploded at The Royal Marines School of Music at Deal Barracks. 11 died and 21 were seriously injured, the bombers were never caught. I remember BBC did a news item of one of the military funerals and I heard a brief snatch of a trumpet player playing Monk’s Round Midnight. That was a goose bump moment and I thought ‘I’ll have some of that’. Played live, of course. Fee in the pot.

Same time sig? Don’t think so.

One of his cheeses, Blue Monday, is as good as you’ll get.

Had a phone call this morning for a trio gig within the next two weeks for a Hospice fund raiser in a ‘large garden’. Piano player will be Vince Hill’s MD and John Mayall’s first drummer (Crawling up a Hill). You can’t get more eclectic than that.

I’m in no hurry.

Guitarist and bassist have certainly got great chops but somehow it doesn’t go together as a good performance. Bass is quite intrusive behind the guitar.