old news

10th November 2004

That was the Cork Jazz Festival, that was. Eight years after The Ben Waters Band’s debut in Cork in the front bar of the Imperial Hotel, we made it to the dizzy heights of the number one stage at the Metropole Hotel, about the best festival slot you can get without being a USA jazz legend or suchlike. Our gigs on Saturday and Sunday night were rapturously, nay bonkersly received by the Cork crowd. Ben, Ady and myself recorded a new original song, the intriguingly-entitled ‘Alcoholic’, in Ben’s back room immediately before the festival, and performed it on both nights – it went down a storm. I feel a hit coming on!

Little Dixie performed at the Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport on Friday 29th October, with Barney doing a splendid job on drums in Ady’s absence. The boy Milward was back on board for the next Dixie outing, on Saturday 6th November at the splendidly bijou George Inn, Reforne, Portland. We debuted two new Mutter Slater compositions, the Thorougoodesque ‘Triumph Bonneville’ and ‘We’re In The Money’, a cautionary tale of the effects of sudden wealth. Two more cracking compositions for the Slater catalogue.

Advance notice now of a one-off reunion of the Jess Upton Soul Band, taking place at Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport on Saturday 18th December. The gig will feature nine of the original band’s line-up, and may well be a sell-out. Contact me via this site for information/tickets or contact the Arts Centre’s box office on 01308 424204.

Sadly, trumpet virtuoso Matt Barge won’t be on the gig, as he and his family were victims of a freak accident that left Matt with serious facial injuries and his 10-month-old son in intensive care. Matt and his son are both well on the mend now, but Matt doesn’t see himself playing again until the New Year. I’m sure you’ll want to join me in wishing them speedy recoveries.

As usual, the jam sessions continue at Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth, Dorset. If you want to play, contact me or just turn up before 9pm and book yourself a slot.

Chris Lonergan





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