Lee — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:06:06 +0000

Jazz lover, drummer,

Lee — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 07:00:36 +0000

looking for other musicians keen on playing blues, ballads,

standards as well as some bossa nova.  I was part of a trio with piano and vibes

that played for one year at the Riverside Cafe.

Contact Sandro Lionello, sandro@greyheron.co.nz, 03 528 0472

Adrienne Hindmarsh Trio

Lee — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:40:07 +0000

On 24 August, the Nelson Jazz Club was treated to an evening with the Adrienne Hindmarsh Trio at the Vic Mac’s Brew Bar. Not surprisingly, there was a good turn out of club members and a strong contingent of the band members’ family and friends leaving standing room only in the band side of the establishment. With the Tasman Makos rugby team occupying the other side for dinner, the place was packed!

With Adrienne and Josh Hindmarsh on organ and guitar, respectively, and Roger Sellers on drums, the trio launched the performance with a fairly standard arrangement of ‘East Of The Sun’ and then hinted at the range of genres that they intended to apply their impressive abilities to by following on with Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely’, a folksy rendition of Sting’s ‘Fields Of Gold’ and back to standards with ‘Dancing Cheek To Cheek’. The rest of the first set continued the theme of variety with Latin (Manha de Carnival), gospel (People Get Ready) and rollicking blues (Route 66).

The relaxed professionalism, smooth co-ordination and superb soloing skills of all three continued to provide the platform for the songs featured in the second and third sets, ranging from ballads such as ‘Almost Like Being In Love’ and ‘Where Or When’ through a sultry rendition of ‘Georgia’, a jaunty version of ‘Misty’ and an incredibly up-tempo ‘Alfie’s Theme’ before returning to blues for the finale of ‘Never Make Your Move Too Soon’.

In response to the high level of musicianship on display, one or two of the local musicians were heard to utter some critical self evaluations (such as, “I think I will go home and use my guitar for firewood”) although the smiles on their faces betrayed that all had had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Isn’t it great that Adrienne and Josh come home from time to time and treat us to such wonderful performances?

The Steve Flemming Band hits the floor again,

Lee — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:28:39 +0000

this Tuesday folks, for another round of jolly good music and lashings of fine beverages and quality food.

Steve is playing out of his skin right now, though sadly by himself across the ditch in Wellywood due to work commitments. His spot will be filled by the irrepressible Andrew Leachman on shiny saxophone thingies and hopefully with a little coercion the odd vocal as well.Tony has skived of overseas in search of fame and fortune and keeping his seat warm is the talented and stunningly good looking ( he insisted this was mentioned) Chris Pierson lurking as ever behind the drum kit. The old guard of Gabor, Nev and Martin will thunder on regardless so if its spontaneity you’re looking for then this will be a night of nights. The warmer weather is just around the corner and the local support for The Vic and Nelson’s home of jazz is alive and kicking.

Kick-off is 731 ‘ish finishing around 10-00 ‘ish. So how about those of you who haven’t ventured out for a while?? We would love to see some familiar faces supporting this wonderful venue. Come down and meet the new owners, and old chums (and chum-esses). Righto so that’s settled then.!!

Spring is almost sprung and the grass has almost rizz!! and now is still the time to enjoy what Nelson has to offer. What better than Vic Macs Brewbar and The Nelson Jazz Club. Tuesdays.

My apologies

Lee — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:46:25 +0000

to those of you waiting for the August hardcopy newsletter. I have been very tied up with the sale of the Vic and am running a little late this month. It will however be completed and posted out this weekend.

Chet Baker hits the NSOM Winter Festival

Lee — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:25:42 +0000

Like Someone in Love is a thrilling combination of beautifully melodic music, raw dialogue and insight into the heart of jazz legend Chet Baker.

Not to be missed this Friday at the Nelson School of Music Winter Festival.

Hard Lines gig at the Vic: 22 June 2010 By Mike Murphy

Lee — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 02:19:44 +0000

A new combination of familiar faces played their first gig at the Vic on 22 June, with Andrew Leachman and George Jury on saxes, Gabor Tolnay on piano, Brett Holland on bass guitar and Chris Pearson on drums making up ‘Hard Lines’ – a name some of you will have heard before around town.

They began by launching into a tight yet fluently relaxed rendition of ‘Blues In The Closet’ followed by the bossa number, ‘Nadalin’, signalling to those present that we were going to be treated to an evening of top quality jazz by a band who all play great solos and know how to work well with others. The first set included another bossa in the form of ‘Recardo Bossa’, a couple of standards – ‘Hello Young Lovers’ and ‘My Secret Love’ – performed in unexpected arrangements and finished with a flourish with the up-tempo ‘Porky’ by Cannonball Adderley. The second set began with ‘Killer Joe’ and ‘Theme For Eulipions’, the latter with a great vocal solo from Andrew, and ended with Chris Bailey joining the band on flugelhorn for ‘Watermelon Man’.

During the second break, Andrew let slip that the third set, which featured Chris Bailey while George took a break, was unrehearsed yet nobody would have guessed from the way they hammered into the driving military tempo of ‘Blues March’. Andrew gave more clues a couple of numbers later by audibly giving instructions to the band regarding the pattern to be followed for ‘Blues For Erin’ with something like, “It’s ABAB and then there are six bars of etc. etc. Got it?” Again, we would not have otherwise guessed that it was unrehearsed.

Great to have George back, great to have a line-up of such good musicians and great to have such an excellent evening of jazz.

Welcome to June folks.

Lee — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:30:25 +0000

A lot is happening at the moment and I will start with the main news. Many of you may already be aware but for those that aren’t, The Vic Brew Bar, home of the club for many years now has been sold. The new owners are the Williams family originally from Dudley in the west midlands of the UK and for six and a half years now from Auckland and Queenstown. The Williams are upholding the commitment the Vic has made to the festival and to the club also. They have a hospitality history and have worked in bars with bands so are well versed in working with musicians.

The website is now up to date and will remain so. There have been a few changes on it so please explore it and send me your input and ideas. I can be found at leef44@gmail.com. Also now to be found on the website is a copy of the intermediate newsletter such as this one which will be published every month that there isn’t a hardcopy one.

Just to reiterate a few points. Benefits for financial members include the following:

1.) a hard copy newsletter 3 monthly
2.) 10% discount at the following outlets, Beggs Musicworks, Music Planet, The Vic Brew Bar.
3.) A weekly $25 dollar bartab voucher to be drawn every Tuesday night at the Vic. The member must be there with current membership card to claim it.
4.) if membership is signed up and paid at the Vic, member will receive free either of the following; a tap beer, a coffee or a house wine.
5.) free rehearsal space at the jazz clubroom.
6.) elegibility to gig on the Vic roster and at other selected venues.
7.) first option on coveted tickets for shows at the festival.

Thats all for now folks, see you next month.

regards Ed.

Jump ‘n Jive Special – Tuesday 8th June

Lee — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:07:01 +0000

“The Vic” will sway to this special night of “Jump ‘n Jive”, the first of a few “theme” nights your club has planned for members, guests and friends. Too often the same members play every couple of months, same tunes, and same faces. This time we are going to mix it up a little. The line-up features Andrew Leachman and Steve Flemming on Saxes. Baritone/Tenor and Alto. This is a sound that stirs the blood vessels into life. The Rhythm Section features Simon Terrill on drums, Trev Hunter on bass, Martin Hucklesby on guitar. The irrepressible Gabor on keys and Nev Claughton warbling a few on vocals and running the PA.

A jolly good mix of standards, some with a new twist (lemon chaps??), some rocking good dance tunes compliments of Louis Jordan, Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys and the like, and some dazzling instrumentals to keep you on your toes (and off your seats too.)

Love to see as many there at Nelson’s favourite entertainment venue and bar/café.

Jazz singer Beaver dies

Adrienne Ford — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:43:11 +0000

Well-known New Zealand jazz singer and actress Beverley “Beaver” Jean Morrison has died. The 59-year-old entertainer was known for her involvement in theatre troupe Blerta and for singing the theme song for soap opera Gloss in the 1980s. She also appeared in New Zealand films Skin Deep and Should I Be Good, about the Mr Asia drug syndicate.

Beaver died this morning after a six-year battle with sarcoma, TVNZ reported. She had two daughters with actor Bill Stalker. Her Should I Be Good co-star Hammond Gamble told NZPA he had been informed of Beaver’s death by one of her daughters this morning. Her friends and family had not expected Beaver to be with them much longer, Mr Gamble said.