As 2011 draws to a close I ponder as to whether a year has ever passed so quickly?! Seems like only yesterday we were bemoaning the loss of gigs because of the weather. Today we seem to be losing them because of a "cold spell" in Arts Council funding. As a non-political person it ill-becomes me to comment except it must be bad when Vasilis Xenopoulos has to go to Greece for a gig! - or maybe it was a working holiday.
So, although I sympathise with those organisations who have had funding withdrawn, let us not forget those entrepreneurs who present our music with little or no help from the state.
I refer to men like Keith Crombie at the Jazz Café, Warren Thomson at Hoochie Coochie, Peter Wardle at the Cherry Tree, Roly Veitch at Blaydon, John Taylor at Ashington Jazz Club, Mike Durham's Classic Jazz Party, Ron and Joyce Pollard at Gateshead, Dave Weisser's Take it to the Bridge and the various pubs and clubs who give our local bands a platform to perform.
Now, more than ever, it is the time to support your local jazz venue so why not make it your New Year's Resolution to frequent a place near you. You may even enjoy it!
Happy New Year everyone.
Lance.
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