watlingtonjazz

I moved to beautiful Rutland in 2017. I include some recordings from my new band - Smooth Tunes, featuring the voice of Claire Colton with Roger Hudson on piano and Chris Newman on bass. Martin Fennemore and Pat Martin on bass and drums also feature on many of the tracks.. Tell me what you think! Jon Allen (guitar) I have also added some hypnosis recordings (reflecting my former career as an anaesthetist and clinical hypnotherapistj). They are designed to aid sleep and induce calmness. The Woodside Swing Band was a fixture in the Norfolk jazz scene for many years, latterly at the Watlington Bowls Club - a warm and welcoming jazz venue, about half-way between Kings Lynn and Downham Market in the English county of Norfolk. Peter Tulett drummed and led the band for many years until his sad death. The drum chair then went to Colin Mason, whose silken skills are so distinctive. Jack Tynan's tenor and George King's alto saxophones were then the dominant melodic force in the band for many years. Chris Kirk and Gareth Jones on trumpet and trombone added spice to the front line up. Ryan McCaffrey - a young man with an exciting multiinstrumental talent - took on the piano duties with a rare combination of touch and subtlety. Ivan Garford then joined us when Ryan went on a world tour. Ivan seems to blend intelligent modernity with effortless swing. Young professionals, including Nik Carter and Amy Bone, would always guest with us on their trips home to Norfolk. Mike Smith injects a lyrical bass technique which underpins the rhythm section and always suprises with imaginative solos. Jon Allen plays jazz guitar and acts as sound recordist. He is responsible for these recordings. Jack's choice of material has always been sometimes obscure, sometimes terrifying but always satisfying. This is a collection of recordings made over the past few years with many guest artists. I hope to credit all of them. Jon