Due to a technical hitch this week's Simply Jazz programme on Lincoln based Siren Radio almost didn't happen. The show is recorded in advance of its noon start on Tuesdays. At the appointed time, nothing. The online link didn't work. Thankfully the gremlins were ironed out and the show began an hour later than scheduled at one o'clock.
Presenter Tom Stevens plays a wide range of material, in truth, stretching the boundaries to include pop-jazz numbers which no doubt tests the patience of the hardcore jazz fan. This week, one item attracted the attention of the hardcore listener. Stevens conducted a Zoom interview with Craig Wild. This Sunday (Feb. 7) trumpeter Wild will be leading his big band in a live stream performance from Ronnie Scott's.
Stevens' interviewee outlined his childhood years: time spent with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, music college and on to a professional career in music - West End shows, studio session work, film soundtracks, the lot. Wild has been in lockdown contact with Bobby Shew. In the course of their transatlantic exchanges the American trumpeter mentioned that he'd come across some of the late Alan Downey's charts which, somehow or other, had been put on a shelf and forgotten about. Wild was interested, especially as some of the arrangements had never been played in public. And that's what makes this weekend's gig at Ronnie's all the more appealing. Shew sent the charts to Wild and on Sunday they'll be heard for the first time.
The Craig Wild Big Band will be playing numbers associated with Maynard Ferguson and Alan Downey. MD Wild mentioned that Ryan Quigley will be in the trumpet section...just the man to handle the Maynard Ferguson material! Log on to Ronnie's website for an eight o'clock start. Simply Jazz on Siren Radio can be heard online Tuesdays (noon), repeated Sundays (5:00pm) at: www.sirenonline.co.uk.
Russell
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