Tag Archives: Gary Crosby (jazz bassist)

EFG London Jazz Festival with Steve Williamson and Tomorrow’s Warriors

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Jazz In The Round-Gary Crosby-Steve Williamson-Tomorrow's Warriors

This festival I’m looking forward to playing a rare gig with my long-time friend, the unique and highly distinctive saxophonist, Steve Williamson as part of a Tomorrow’s Warriors Takeover at The Cockpit, London. We’re being hosted by JazzFM presenter, Jez Nelson – also a great friend – who has put on an extra date in his Jazz In The Round season to mark almost 25 years of Tomorrow’s Warriors, the programme I founded all those years ago with my partner, Janine. Also on the bill are Tomorrow’s Warriors String Ting (a young string quartet I’m supporting) and the Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth Orchestra conducted by Binker Golding.

I did an interview with Jez for his programme, Somethin’ Else broadcast on JazzFM on Saturday 13 November. We talked about some of the great jazz musicians that have graduated from the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme and, of course, my forthcoming set with Steve. Have to say, I was surprised, actually very humbled, to be described by Jez earlier in the show as ‘one of the most important people on the British jazz scene ever’! Hmmmm, anyway, he played some tracks from back in the day by several of the Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni, all of which still sound great today.

If you missed the interview, you can ‘listen again’ here – the interview kicks off at 0:55:25 with Jez  playing Gorée Island, a piece I wrote for my band, Nu Troop on the album, Migrations (DUNECD01)…lots of fond memories working with a great bunch of musicians. Must root out the CD and give it another spin!

You can catch Steve and me, and lots of musicians from the Tomorrow’s Warriors community at The Cockpit on Saturday 19 November at 8pm. Hope you can make it, and enjoy the rest of the festival!

Book tickets - Jazz In The Round Special

The Jazz Salon – live music and chat at Ray’s Jazz at Foyles

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The Jazz Salon opens 26 Feb

I’m very excited to be launching my new session, The Jazz Salon. I’ve been mulling it over for a while now but, finally, it’s happening thanks to the wonderful team at Tomorrow’s Warriors and Ray’s Jazz.

The Jazz Salon is hosted by my friend, journalist and broadcaster, Kevin Le Gendre who will have a conversation with our guests to get their insight into the cultural reverberations of jazz of particular interest to the individuals: Health & Wellbeing (26 Feb),Food (25 Mar), Spoken Word (29 Apr), Dance, Art (27 May), and Dance (24 Jun). Guests include jazz trumpeter and yoga aficionado Yazz AhmKevin Le Gendre, Gary Crosbyed, broadcaster and Jazz FM presenter Helen Mayhew, poet/DJ Charlie Dark (in association with Apples & Snakes), vinyl specialists Gearbox Records, and dancer/choreographer Sean Graham. I’ll be leading the Jazz Salon House Band featuring emerging talent from my Tomorrow’s Warriors cohort, and we’ll be picking up the conversation where it’s left off by playing a selection of related jazz repertoire. Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth Orchestra will be making a special appearance in March to recreate the sounds of Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club.

Keep in touch and follow us to see our recommended listening and reading lists for our salon sessions!

Twitter:          @TheJazzSalon     
Facebook:     therealjazzsalon

Find out more about it here

VENUE: The Auditorium, Foyles Bookshop, 107 Charing Cross Road, London WC2
T: 020 7440 3205, Rays Jazz at Foyles, Admission: £5.00

Download a flyer for the full series here

Tickets: Jazz Jamaica Xmas At The Hideaway 2015

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Jazz JamaicaOh nooooooooooo!!! We have bad news…at least it’s bad news if you don’t already have a ticket…our Jazz Jamaica Christmas Party on Saturday 12 December at our favourite club, The Hideaway in Streatham is completely SOLD OUT!!!! They can’t even squeeze a sneeze into the building, never mind another human being as the gig is RAM, CHOKKA, FULL UP, PROPER SOLD OUT!!! Which is a shame because it means loads of people will miss our very special guest…the legendary Winston ‘Mr Fix It’ Francis!

So, sadly, unless you’re planning to be in Mexico this weekend, you’ve missed your chance to catch us this side of 2015. But, if you do just happen to be in Guadalajara on 6 December, you can catch us there, closing the 9 day Guadalajara International Book Festival – a cultural festival in which the UK is the Guest of Honour in 2015, and which brings to a close a year-long celebration of cultural, educational and business exchanges between the UK and Mexico. #UKMX2015

For those who did manage to get tickets to our Christmas Party, we’re all looking forward to a great gig (as always at The Hideaway!) and to helping you skank your way into the festive holiday season.

One love!

Gary Crosby’s GROUNDATION – The Verdict: ‘explosive’!

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Gary Crosby's Groundation

A great review from Jazzwise (see below), but just wanted to say I had a fantastic time in Brighton last Friday playing at The Verdict Jazz Club with Groundation (Nathaniel Facey, Shirley Tetteh and Moses ‘Mobo’ Boyd). It was our privilege to be launching a brand new programme of jazz curated by the guys at New Generation Jazz. The Verdict is a lovely little venue, and what the it lacks in size was made up by the enthusiasm of our sold out audience!

Earlier in the day Nat and I led a workshop at BIMM where we came across a number of very talented young musicians. Maybe we’ll see some of them at Tomorrow’s Warriors…

Peace and love to Jack Kendon and Co at New Generation Jazz for organising it all. And best of luck to you guys for the rest of the series. We look forward to coming back sometime – it’s a great gig.

Meantime, here’s that great review I mentioned from our friends at Jazzwise Magazine – thanks guys!

GARY CROSBY’S GROUNDATION LAY NEW MUSICAL FOUNDATIONS AT THE VERDICT

In the practice of Rastafari, a Grounation is a musical and motivational meeting-up of the community – part prayer meeting, part drumming circle, part mentoring session, it’s the means by which the core values of the group are re-examined and reinvigorated, and its traditions upheld and passed down. Gary Crosby’s Groundation is happening in Brighton tonight…for an evening of exploration, affirmation and conversation.

What follows is an explosive, wide-ranging four-way exposition on the state of jazz today, (and the shape of jazz to come). Read on…

Photos courtesy of New Generation Jazz.

Coleridge Goode – Funeral and Celebration of Life – 6 Nov

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©Sisi Burn - Coleridge Goode

Coleridge Goode (Photo: © Sisi Burn)

James and Sandy Goode invite friends and fans of Coleridge to join them in celebrating their father’s long and fulfilling life.

100 and out. A life well lived.

See below for details of the service.

—
A service to give thanks for the life of Coleridge Goode
Time and date:  Friday 6th November, 3.45pm
Location:           West London Crematorium (West Chapel)
                          Kensal Green Cemetery
                          Harrow Rd
                          W10 4RA
                          Tel: 020 8969 0152
Directions:         The closest entrance to the crematorium is the Top or West Gate, a few minutes walk from Kensal Green Station.
                          http://www.kensalgreen.co.uk/documents/KG_plan.pdf
After the service, from approx. 4.30pm, threre’ll be a gathering of friends at the William IV pub on Harrow Rd, just across the street from the cemetery. All who knew Cole personally are warmly invited to attend. To make sure we arrange sufficient food and drink for all who’d like to come, please RSVP as soon as possible to Sandy Goode:
Email:  sandygoode at msn dot com
Mobile:  07944 285905
Directions:         William IV Pub Map

RIP Coleridge Goode 1914-2015

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©2014 J Irons-Coleridge Goode 29Nov14

It is with the deepest sadness that I share the news of the passing of my very dear friend and mentor, the Jamaican bassist, Coleridge Goode. He died at his home in West London following a heart attack at 8pm on Friday 2 October.

It was my great privilege to have celebrated his 100th birthday with Coleridge and his wonderful family last November, and I’d really hoped we would be marking his 101st with him this year. Sadly this was not to be.

I’ll write in more detail soon, but just wanted to share this very sad news with friends and fans of Coleridge.

My heartfelt condolences go to Coleridge’s children – daughter, Sandy and son, James. And coming not so long after the passing of Coleridge’s beautiful wife, Gertrude (23 June 2015) makes this all the more sad.

If you’d like to leave a message of condolence, please feel free to do so here under ‘Comments’ or you can use the Coleridge Goode Facebook Page set up for his 100th birthday – I’ll be passing on any messages to Coleridge’s family directly.

Rest in sweet musical peace my dear, dear friend, Coleridge. We are all going to miss you.

 

Groundation at the Watermill

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Gary Crosby's GroundationGreat gig with my band, Groundation last night at Watermill Jazz Club. Thanks to all who came out to support, and to Kathryn Shackleton and the team for inviting us to play there. Really sorry we couldn’t bring Nathaniel Facey with us this time but, unfortunately, he had to ‘throw a sickie’ due to injuring his hand. Naturally, all the band wish him the speediest recovery – I know how frustrated he feels being taken down through injury – but we give thanks and props to Binker Golding for stepping in at the last minute to ensure we could still put on a great gig for our wonderful audience in Dorking.

Binker, Shirley, Moses…peace, love and thanks!