Jazz Chronicles - November 2009

It has been a long, long time since my last Gentlejazz “chronicle” and for this I apologise.

I have not been idle though and have created and published two websites and a Blog to do with the music we play.
The website is www.gentlejazz.net which has been created, in simple format, to advertise the various band combinations we can offer – from duo upwards. We are a musically incestuous bunch and draw on the same “family” of about 8 musicians, whether for a duo or an 8-piece function band. All are highly proficient, dependable and reliable and we all enjoy what we do.

(Don’t forget that we have ideal duo’s for your special birthday or anniversary which just adds that final touch to the event at an affordable cost.)
The other website is www.gentlejazzmp3store.com which has been created to sell our CD’s both locally and abroad and includes the facility to buy and download individual MP3 tracks at about R7 each. The CD ‘s are likewise by the same bunch of musicians.

The Blog is at http://gentlejazz.blogspot.com and will feature these chronicles as well as any other immediate or interesting news.

Creating these websites, especially at my age, has been challenging but rewarding. Much help was received on the IT side from Trish Bailey who is also a fine jazz bass player and with whom I work regularly. The websites have been designed to be simple to navigate, and to download quickly without any bells and whistles. I hope you like them. Please feel free to let me have your comments.

I ran a survey last year for selecting songs and a title for a new CD I am making. The title finally selected if you recall, was “You Must Remember This” and I have now started recording and doing the artwork for the CD cover. The songs will be from the 30’s and 40’s – easily recognisable and relaxed as always. I will keep you informed of the progress.
I have presently done the bass and drum tracks and there will be 18 songs.

We no longer play at Jakes restaurants and its obvious that the economic downturn has affected most restaurants (and musicians). The Riverboat Jazz Band of which I am a member, has just started the 11th summer season at Ferrymans Tavern in the Waterfront. We have been rehearsing about 20 new songs over the last few months – good rollicking foot-tapping songs. We are there every Sunday evening from 6-9 pm – weather and amphitheatre permitting. We often have (and welcome) guest artists which makes the evening even more interesting – some very good, some good and some frightful!

I will be at Catharina’s Restaurant at Steenberg on Sundays from 12 noon to 3 pm, on 15th and 29th November and again on 3rd, 17th and 31st January.
I will also be at the Mount Nelson with our trio called “Velvet” playing background music for their Christmas Day lunch from about 12 noon to 4 pm. This will feature Trish Bailey on bass and Jeff Weiner on vocals.

I am also quite busy again with private corporate functions now that the summer season is here (sort of!) but will keep you informed of any public gigs we are doing.
Please feel free to pass these “chronicles” to anyone who may be interested. Anyone who would like to receive news on an infrequent basis, just send me an email HERE

And finally, remember that change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
Cheers for now
Eddie