Suffolk - WHAT TO DO

Boxford Village, in the valley below The Grove Cottages, has a great pub jazz venue called The Fleece. Details of their regular Friday night sessions can be found on their website at www.jazzatthefleece.org.uk - tel 01787 211 865

See the gigs listed below

If you like modern jazz - this is a seriously good venue, every Friday evening at 8.30 - great atmosphere and a great evening out !

The Boxford Fleece

Broad Street

Boxford, Suffolk

CO10 5DX

Tel: 01787 210247

(this number for the pub - here for tickets)

The venue has changed to Kersey Mill right now but may change again - anyway all within 10 minutes and details can be found on their website.

The village is lucky to boast another excellent restaurant, in the White Hart Inn, just across the street! Barry Hayton is a superb cook. For reservations, phone him or Marilyn Hayton on 01787 211071, or email ales@white-hart.co.uk.

In the high street of the beautiful village is the Boxford Fleece

This fine old pub in Boxford is easy to find . The pub phone number is 01787 210247.

It is said that the room was used for the assizes in the Red Barn murder trials, although Bury St. Edmonds claims it as well. The ghost is not Maria Martin. Some think it to be a nun. Marilyn thinks that it is another wronged girl who committed suicide. Marilyn calls her Gerald. Ask her.

In any case, research is continuing.

When the jazz club uses the upstairs room, it looks something like this.

For a better view, look at Brian's scrapbook.

Ten years of the very best in modern jazz every Friday night at 8:30pm.

Doors open at 7:30.

There is a well stocked bar, and coffee is available.

Experience the special intimate atmosphere in the upstairs room of this historic and friendly pub.

The Club (not the pub) is a nonsmoking venue.

Friday, 21 November 8.30, Ticket £11 - Christian Garrick Quartet

Friday, 28 November 8.30, Ticket £10 - Denny Ilett / Katya Gorrie Quintet

Friday, 5 December 8.30, Ticket £10 - Alec Dankworth Trio

Friday, 12 December 8.30, Ticket £10 - Renato D'Aiello Quartet - 'Canzone'

Friday, 19 December 8.30, Ticket £12 - Sax Appeal

Violinist Christian Garrick was a joint winner of the Daily Telegraph young jazz competition at seventeen. Having come through the Royal Academy of Music where he picked up a hat full of prizes, he went on to be awarded the coveted John Dankworth Special Award at the 1999 BT British Jazz Awards. Christian is a player who can move effortlessly between classical, hot-club, swing, be-bop, contemporary jazz, blues, fusion and rock. With David Gordon (piano), Denmark's Ole Rasmussen (bass) and Tom Hooper (drums).

This Quintet believes firmly in the merits of the great standards played simply with the emphasis on swing and melody. Denny's main influences are Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Wes Montgomery and trumpeter Harry James. Guitarist, singer, arranger and Big Band leader Denny is a member of Lillian Boutte's group in Europe and the USA. Canadian vocalist Katya Gorrie is an exciting and fresh new voice on the jazz scene in the UK. She brings her unique style of sultry vocals and a touch of cabaret to each performance. Mike Gorman (piano), Oli Hayhurst (bass) and Dylan Howe (drums) make up the Quintet.

Composer, bass player and arranger Alec has recorded with a who's who of the UK jazz scene as well as many leading International artists. He comes to the Fleece with his band of Julian Arguelles (saxophones) and Phil Robson (guitar). The Independent had this to say about his playing, "Long arabesque lines that resonate with emotion", while Venue said, 'Brings quite the warmest and intuitively phrased touch to his melodic solos". Alec tells us" I have always liked playing in groups without percussion. The extra space brings challenges and opportunities". The trio have a new CD out called "If you're passing by" on the Candid label.

'Canzone' is a new project sparked off this year by the ever-creative saxophonist Renato D'Aiello. Still rooted in the jazz idiom, his starting point is songs from his native Italy. Working with an acoustic quartet, the heart of 'Canzone' is a collection of wonderful melodies. The treatment of them is spare and lyrical, celebrating the songs with a fine sense of space and the dynamics of silence. The repertoire is principally old Neapolitan songs from songwriters Luigi Tenco, Gino Paoli and Martino, plus a few originals by Renato and pianist John Critchinson who with Nicola Muresu (Contrabass) and Seb Rochford (drums) complete the Quartet.

Our Christmas gig is guaranteed to be a real swinger, when Derek Nash (alto sax) together with Mornington Lockett (tenor sax), Scott Garland (alto sax), Bob McKay (barritone sax), Gary Plumley (tenor sax), Leon Greening (keyboards), Laurence Cottle (bass) and Mark Fletcher (drums) squeeze into the Fleece for the last gig of 2003 Enthusiastically led by Derek Nash, this award winning band is one of the premier bands in the country mixing driving swing, danceable Latin / funk and haunting ballads.

Mark.

The Grove Cottages