Its time I said a little more about myself.
MY OWN "JAZZ BACKGROUND"
I was a huge jazz fan from around 1955 (aged eleven) right
through the enthralling period for British jazz up to and through
the 1960s. I have to confess that from the mid to late 60s other
things also became important to me: things like also falling in
love with classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler,
Bruckner, Sibelius etc.. etc.,), and increasingly feeling a call
to Christian ministry, but I never actually took my theology
degree until in my 50s (1995-98). Now in my 60s and as a regular
internet-user (my ministry is largely internet-based - ever heard
of 'UK Apologetics'?), I am again listening to a lot of
music and my jazz roots have been seriously re-awakened from
about 2001-2.
My instrument was the trumpet which (at one time) I had been able
to play jazz on to a certain level (not pro) and I sometimes feel
I would like to play again, but I quickly dismiss such thoughts!
Okay, I have already mentioned my classical tastes, what about my
jazz tastes? Well, I am a big Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie Parker man,
also Clifford Brown, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Fats Navarro and
many others. I am also a huge big band fan: Kenton, Herman ,
Basie of course and Elllington. Here in the UK, I was a huge fan
of the original Johnny Dankworth Orchestra (the one with the
'seven section'). Within the last year I have been in touch with
Dickie Hawdon (who played trumpet with Dankworth). Dickie told me
he does not play anymore because (in his own words), "I am
too old!" - of course, during the last year of his life
(having no idea it was the last year of his life, of course, as
is so often the case), I made contact with Ron Simmonds, one time
lead trumpet with both Ted Heath and Dankworth. Ron shared one or
two amusing anecdotes with me and a warm rapport developed
between us (albeit by e mail).
As I write this, this little jazz site is very new and - as time
progresses - I am sure I will add other little things about my
life and how important jazz is to me. I'm afraid that, in common
with Dickie Hawdon, I am no great fan of much current jazz and so
this site will be heavily nostalgic. Dickie told me he just
enjoys his garden and King Oliver these days. Well, I still like
a bit of traditional jazz, but I am overwhelmingly a lover of
early 'bop' and also the 'big bands.' I find that much of the newer jazz seems to have lost much
of its original 'bite.' Great modern jazz was still produced
throughout the 60s and even into the 70s but much of what I now
hear no longer appeals to me. Having said that, I am certain that some real jazz 'gems' of performers are still around.
Robin A. Brace, 2006.
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