2-5-1

We are starting a new strand to the ever expanding tapestry of 2-5-1 : Tunes we love and why. The first of these is on the song Softly as in a Morning Sunrise by Sigmund Romberg a 32 bar  AABA format tune, often in C minor, that has become a favourite amongst musicians.Here is an Apple Music play list which is only the tip of the iceberg [or should that be Romburg?]

Nick leads the discussion on the TV jazz show Jazz Casual. Most episodes are available on YouTube Wikipedia describes it thus"Jazz Casual was an occasional series on jazz music on National Educational Television (NET), the predecessor to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The show was produced by Richard Moore and KQED of San Francisco, California. Episodes ran for 30 minutes. It ran from 1961 to 1968 and was hosted by jazz critic Ralph Gleason. The series had a pilot program in 1960. That episode, however, has been destroyed. 31 episodes were broadcast; 28 episodes survive. Most episodes included short interviews with the group leaders"

What is Mainstream Jazz? Is the term still relevant? Who coined the phrase?find out in this episode

In this episode we delve into the dark world of jazz and the detective. Jazz has become associated with the gumshoe detective e.g. Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe and the whole world of film noir including seedy nightclubs and femme fatales.  We decided to investigate further "so I drew my Smith and Wesson 9mm and Nick was soon singing like a canary"

Send us a textOften Nick and Simon run out of time so occasionally we will record a special episode. We felt that the previous episode was far too brief and so in true jazz musician tradition we improvised an extended episode.  Because of that here is the full correct quote from Raymond Chandlers essay " the simple art of Murder"“down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor—by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world"This is a " two blokes talking about"  format so if there are some errors please forgive us. Please let us know if this sort of extended episode is something you like and would like more of via our website This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode we delve into the dark world of jazz and the detective. jazz has become associated with the gumshoe the likes of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe and the film Noir femme fatale.  " so I drew my smith and Wesson 9mm and Nick was soon sining like a canary"This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

We have done Christmas specials before which are about Christmas jazz albums or specific Christmas jazz songs. This year we are offering suggestions for gifts for jazz lovers including among other things "the smell of jazz" Amazon UK List Here Previous Christmas episodes2020 2021 2022  2024This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe have done Christmas specials before which are about Christmas jazz albums or specific Christmas jazz songs  This year we are offering suggestions for gifts for jazz lovers including " the smell of jazz" Amazon Uk List HerePrevious Christmas episodes2020 2021 2022  2024This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode we discuss Philip Larkin [the English Poet] and his love of some jazz and his hatred of other jazz This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode we discuss Philip Larkin [ the English Poet] and his love of jazz and his hate of other jazz This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe talk about the some of the big figures in jazz education Dizzy Gillespie, Hal Crook, Jerry Coker, John Meghan, Jamey Aebersold, Mark Levine and Barry Harris. There are others we couldn't fit into the 5 minutesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe talk about the some of the big figures in jazz education Dizzy Gillespie, Hal Crook, Jerry Coker, John Meghan, Jamey Aebersold, Mark Levine and Barry Harris. There are others we couldn't fir into the 5 minutesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz on screen is an annual tie-in with the London Jazz festival. recent years have seen 2023The three films were: Imagine the Sound + Introduction by Stewart Lee; Sven Klang’s Combo + Introduction by Ehsan Khoshbakht and The Stormy Man.2024Symphonies in Black : Duke Ellington ShortsWe Insist-Black SunSo Watt: Jazz and Improvisation on British TVOur episode on Sven Klang is here 2025The Diaspora Suite by Ephraim Asili-Nov 13thSo Watt: Derek Bailey's On the Edge – Improvisation in Music Nov15thJazz In Exile – Big Ben: Ben Webster in Europe & Cecil Taylor à Paris Nov 16th Link to this years events here  This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz on screen is an annual tie-in with the London Jazz festival. recent years have seen 2023The three films are: Imagine the Sound + Introduction by Stewart Lee; Sven Klang's Combo + Introduction by Ehsan Khoshbakht and The Stormy Man.2024Symphonies in Black : Duke Ellington ShortsWe Insist-Black SunSo Watt: Jazz and Improvisation on British TVOur episode on Sven Klang is here 2025The Diaspora Suite by Ephraim Asili-Nov 13thSo Watt: Derek Bailey's On the Edge – Improvisation in Music Nov15thJazz In Exile – Big Ben: Ben Webster in Europe & Cecil Taylor à Paris Nov 16thLink to this years events hereThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textAnother of our book reviews, this one is of a biography of Sonny Clark.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textAnother of our book reviews, this one is on a biography of Sonny Clark.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is not about the inner voice that tells pianists to " Kill the Bass Player" this is about moving the middle of the chord around to create interest and tension then release.  There is a bonus recording at the end of some of a transcription Simon did of the Introduction to Stella from Standards Live Keith Jarrett Trio.here is a link to the Apple Music version of September in the Rain Anita Wardell with Liam Noble This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is not about the inner voice that tells pianists to " kill the bass player" this is about moving the middle of the chord around to create interest and tension then release.  There is a bonus recording at the end of some of a transcription Simon did of the Introduction to Stella from Standards Live Keith Jarrett Trio.Here is a link to the Apple Music version of September in the Rain Anita Wardell with Liam Noble  This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz is a multi-hour multi-episode documentary about the genesis and progression of jazz in America by Ken BurnsKenneth Lauren Burns is an American filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. His work is often produced in association with WETA-TV or the National Endowment for the Humanities and distributed by PBSThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz is a multi hour multi episode documentary about the genesis and progression of Jazz in America by Ken BurnsKenneth Lauren Burns is an American filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. His work is often produced in association with WETA-TV or the National Endowment for the Humanities and distributed by PBSThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textOne of our practical episodes, Simon and Nick discuss the Montuno. a rhythmic ostinato common in Mambo and Salsa. Check our website as we sometimes make blog Posts about the subjects we cover in episodesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textOne of our practical episodes, Simon and Nick discuss the Montuno. a rhythmic ostinato common in Mambo and Salsa. Check our website as we sometimes make blog Posts about the subjects we cover in episodesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textPedro Jústiz was born in Banes, Holguín, on January 31, 1913 into a family of local musicians. Taught by his mother since 1923, he soon learned to play the piano and joined the family band La Rechiva del Son, directed by his uncles. In 1928 he moved to Antilla to study piano and saxophone under the supervision of his grandfather, Emilio Rodríguez.In Havana, Peruchín worked occasionally with Orquesta Casino de la Playa and Mariano Mercerón's orchestra. In 1942 he joined Los Swing Boys, a big band directed by saxophonist Emilio Peñalver and featuring José "Chombo" Silva. He then became a member of the Conjunto Matamoros, an expanded version of the Trio Matamoros. In 1943 he joined Armando Romeu's Tropicana Club orchestra. He rejected an offer by Mario Bauzá to replace Joe Loco in his band, The Afrocubans, and instead recommended René HernándezThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textPedro Jústiz was born in Banes, Holguín, on January 31, 1913 into a family of local musicians. Taught by his mother since 1923, he soon learned to play the piano and joined the family band La Rechiva del Son, directed by his uncles. In 1928 he moved to Antilla to study piano and saxophone under the supervision of his grandfather, Emilio Rodríguez.In Havana, Peruchín worked occasionally with Orquesta Casino de la Playa and Mariano Mercerón's orchestra. In 1942 he joined Los Swing Boys, a big band directed by saxophonist Emilio Peñalver and featuring José "Chombo" Silva. He then became a member of the Conjunto Matamoros, an expanded version of the Trio Matamoros. In 1943 he joined Armando Romeu's Tropicana Club orchestra. He rejected an offer by Mario Bauzá to replace Joe Loco in his band, The Afrocubans, and instead recommended René HernándezThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThe Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Oscar Hijuelos, published in 1989. It tells the story of two Cuban brothers, Cesar and Nestor Castillo, who immigrate to New York City in the 1950s and become successful musicians known as the Mambo Kings. The novel explores themes of family, love, loss, and the immigrant experience in America, focusing on the brothers' journey through fame, relationships, and ultimately, the passage of time. The story follows the Castillo brothers' rise to fame in the mambo scene of New York City. By day, they work ordinary jobs, but by night, they pack dance halls and clubs with their sensuous, pulsing Latin music. Cesar, the charming womanizer, and Nestor, the quiet romantic, experience both the highs and lows of their musical career and personal lives. The story also delves into Cesar's later life, filled with memories of his brother, past loves, and the music they created together. The book is known for its evocative portrayal of the mambo era, its vibrant characters, and its exploration of the immigrant experience and a lot of steamy sex. It's a story that resonates with readers through its themes of passion, loss, and the enduring power of music. The novel was later adapted into a 1992 film of the same name and a stage show in 2005.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThe Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Oscar Hijuelos, published in 1989. It tells the story of two Cuban brothers, Cesar and Nestor Castillo, who immigrate to New York City in the 1950s and become successful musicians known as the Mambo Kings. The novel explores themes of family, love, loss, and the immigrant experience in America, focusing on the brothers' journey through fame, relationships, and ultimately, the passage of time. The story follows the Castillo brothers' rise to fame in the mambo scene of New York City. By day, they work ordinary jobs, but by night, they pack dance halls and clubs with their sensuous, pulsing Latin music. Cesar, the charming womanizer, and Nestor, the quiet romantic, experience both the highs and lows of their musical career and personal lives. The story also delves into Cesar's later life, filled with memories of his brother, past loves, and the music they created together. The book is known for its evocative portrayal of the mambo era, its vibrant characters, and its exploration of the immigrant experience and a lot of steamy sex. It's a story that resonates with readers through its themes of passion, loss, and the enduring power of music. The novel was later adapted into a 1992 film of the same name and a stage show in 2005.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textTo round off this series we talk about Outros and Endings - the way jazz players stop a tune.  Thanks for listening and look out for series 3! Perhaps you will hear the ending and intro of our podcast in a new light.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textTo round off this Series we talk about Ours and endings. The way jazz players stop a tune.  thanks for Listening and look out for series 3! Perhaps you will hear the ending and intro of our podcast in a new light.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode Simon and Nick talk about common misconceptions around how jazz happens.  We actually made this episode up off-the-cuff....How very meta!This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode Simon and Nick talk about the common conception and mis conceptions- of how jazz happens.  We actually made this episode up of the cuff....How very meta!This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is one of our more technical episodes, where we try to demystify the way jazz musicians make the music. By the end of this episode you may even know what Cm7b5 means in musical terms. This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is one of our more technical episodes where we try to demystify the way jazz musicians make the music by the end of this episode you may even know what Cm7b5 means in musical terms. This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz has always taken popular tunes as a starting point.  Some of the most famous jazz originals like Ornithology are new tunes on old chords sometimes called contrafacts. In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the subject of modern songs done in a jazz way.Jazz versions of Beatles tunes playlist here Rock Swings hereHerbie Hancock The New Standard hereWhen Love Breaks down Dominic Howles Septet herePost Modern Jukebox hereAll above are Apple Music Links you will find them on other streaming sever ices tooThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textJazz has always taken popular tunes as a starting point.  Some of the most famous jazz originals like Ornithology are new tunes on old chords sometimes called contrafacts. In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the subject of modern songs done in a jazz way.Jazz versions of Beatles tunes playlist here Rock Swings hereHerbie Hancock The New Standard hereWhen Love Breaks down Dominic Howles Septet herePost Modern Jukebox hereAll above are Apple Music Links you will find them on other streaming sever ices tooThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWatch Terry Pollard with Terry Gibbs hereTerry Pollard (August 15, 1931 – December 16, 2009) was an American jazz pianist and vibraphonist active in the Detroit jazz scene of the 1940s and 1950s. She has been described as a "major player who was inexplicably overlooked." listen to Terry Pollard on Apple Music here  or Spotify hereListen to a Detroit Legend on Apple Music here or Spotify hereThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWatch Terry Pollard with Terry Gibbs hereTerry Pollard (August 15, 1931 – December 16, 2009) was an American jazz pianist and vibraphonist active in the Detroit jazz scene of the 1940s and 1950s. She has been described as a "major player who was inexplicably overlooked." listen to Terry Pollard on Apple Music here  or Spotify hereListen to a Detroit Legend on Apple Music here or Spotify hereThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textYou can't steal a gift a book review You Can't Steal a Gift. Frederick Eugene John Lees (February 8, 1928 – April 22, 2010) was a Canadian music critic, biographer, lyricist, and journalist. Lees worked as a newspaper journalist in his native Canada before moving to the United States, where he was a music critic and lyricist. His lyrics for Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado" (released as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars"), have been recorded by such singers as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, and Diana Krall.Listen to arranging the score Series 1 episode 44 hereErratum Simon Apologises for getting his American Geography wrong Louisville is in in Kentucky!This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textYou can't steal a gift a book review You Can't Steal a Gift. Frederick Eugene John Lees (February 8, 1928 – April 22, 2010) was a Canadian music critic, biographer, lyricist, and journalist. Lees worked as a newspaper journalist in his native Canada before moving to the United States, where he was a music critic and lyricist. His lyrics for Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado" (released as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars"), have been recorded by such singers as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, and Diana Krall.Listen to arranging the score Series 1 episode 44 hereErratum Simon Apologises for getting his American Geography wrong Louisville is in in Kentucky!This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textChristian Jacob Jacob was born in Metz, Lorraine on 8 May 1958. A pianist by age four, he was immersed in studying the French classics. Something of a child prodigy, Jacob had perfect pitch and natural talent. He did not discover jazz until age 10, but when he did, its improvised nature appealed to him immediately. Early influences were Dave Brubeckand Oscar Peterson. As a teen, Jacob studied under Pierre Sancan at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris.Later, he would teach piano at the Conservatoire National de Region in Metz.In January 1983, Jacob entered Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and won many awards as a student, including the Joe Zawinul Jazz Masters Award, Oscar Peterson Jazz Masters Award, and Down Beat "Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist" before graduating magna cum laude in 1985. Jacob then took a teaching position at Berklee.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textChristian Jacob Jacob was born in Metz, Lorraine on 8 May 1958. A pianist by age four, he was immersed in studying the French classics. Something of a child prodigy, Jacob had perfect pitch and natural talent. He did not discover jazz until age 10, but when he did, its improvised nature appealed to him immediately. Early influences were Dave Brubeckand Oscar Peterson. As a teen, Jacob studied under Pierre Sancan at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris.Later, he would teach piano at the Conservatoire National de Region in Metz.In January 1983, Jacob entered Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and won many awards as a student, including the Joe Zawinul Jazz Masters Award, Oscar Peterson Jazz Masters Award, and Down Beat "Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist" before graduating magna cum laude in 1985. Jacob then took a teaching position at Berklee.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textOne of our book reviews - this time it's the novel (or is it?) Coming Through Slaughter by Michael OndaatjeBuy it here in print or listen to the audio book hereThe work deals with the life of Buddy Bolden the legend of early jazz who never recorded and wasn't documented much during his life.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textOne of our book reviews this time it is the Novel or is it? by Michael Ondaatjebuy it here  in print or listen to the audio book hereThe work deals with the life of Buddy Bolden the legend of early jazz who never recorded or was documented much during his life.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is a follow-on to episode 44. We go a bit further into the Beat poets reading their poetry with live jazz backing.  We talk about City Lights and Steve Allen and more.A couple of correctionsHowl was first performed  by Ginsberg who read a draft of "Howl" at the Six Gallery reading in San Francisco in 1955.  Fellow poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti of City Lights Books, who attended the performance, published the work in 1956. Upon the poem's release, Ferlinghetti and the bookstore's manager, Shigeyoshi Murao, were charged with disseminating obscene literature, and both were arrested. On October 3, 1957, Judge Clayton W. Horn ruled that the poem was not obscene.AlsoAl jazzbo Collins records were with Steve Allen, you can watch the records revolve and listen to his righteous Spiel here If you haven't already, check out our on podium blog on this subject This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textThis is a follow on to episode 44. We go a bit further into the beat poets reading their poetry with live jazz backing.  We talk about City Lights and Steve Allen and more.A couple of CorrectionsHowl was first performed  by Ginsberg who read a draft of "Howl" at the Six Gallery reading in San Francisco in 1955.  Fellow poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti of City Lights Books, who attended the performance, published the work in 1956. Upon the poem's release, Ferlinghetti and the bookstore's manager, Shigeyoshi Murao, were charged with disseminating obscene literature, and both were arrested. On October 3, 1957, Judge Clayton W. Horn ruled that the poem was not obscene.AlsoAl jazzbo Collins records were with Steve Allen you can watch the records revolve and listen to his righteous Spiel here If you haven't already check out our on podium blog on this subject This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe intended for this to be just one episode but felt that we had a lot more to say and ended up with enough for 2 five minute episodes the next will follow on March 1st 2025.This is the introduction to a blog on the Beats on our website links belowThe Beat movement was a literary movement which emerged in the United States in the post war-era. ‘Beat’ was slang for ‘down and out or poor and exhausted’. Jack Kerouac also spoke of the beat, especially the Jazz beat and also beatitude in a spiritual sense.  Central elements of Beat culture were the rejection of standard moral and narrative values, the importance of spiritual quest,  rejection of materialism,  experimentation with psychedelic drugs and sexual liberation. Pivotal works include Alan Ginsberg’s Howl, William Burrough’s Naked Lunch and jack Kerouac’s  On The Road. The core group met in 1944 in and around Columbia University in NYC, although later writers settled on the West Coast. The beat writers were attracted to jazz and especially bebop because of its underground, counter-cultural status. The writers were also influenced by the ‘improvisational’ nature of jazz which many tried to replicate in their writing. There is a good documentary called " The Source" a standard definition version is on You tube here  but full fat versions are available to buy from apple  or Amazon Prime the imdb page is here This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe intended for this to be just one episode but felt that we had a lot more to say and ended up with enough for 2 five minute episode the next will follow in March 1st 2025.this is the introduction to a blog on the beats on our website links belowThe Beat movement was a literary movement which emerged in the United States in the post war-era. ‘Beat' was slang for ‘down and out or poor and exhausted'. Jack Kerouac also spoke of the beat, especially the Jazz beat and also beatitude in a spiritual sense.  Central elements of Beat culture were the rejection of standard moral and narrative values, the importance of spiritual quest,  rejection of materialism,  experimentation with psychedelic drugs and sexual liberation. Pivotal works include Alan Ginsberg's Howl, William Burrough's Naked Lunch and jack Kerouac's  On The Road. The core group met in 1944 in and around Columbia University in NYC, although later writers settled on the West Coast. The beat writers were attracted to jazz and especially bebop because of its, underground, counter-cultural status. The writers were also influenced by the ‘improvisational' nature of jazz which many tried to replicate in their writing. There is a good documentary called " The source" a standard definition version is on You tube here  but full fat versions are available to buy from apple  or Amazon Prime the imdb page is here This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe are Back after our mid season break so we thought we would start with intros. We discuss what makes a good intro and what is the function of such intros. With some audio examplesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textWe are Back after our mid season break so we thought we would start with Intros. We discuss what makes a good intro and what the function of such intros are. With some audio examplesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode we chat about the 'Christmas with the George Shearing Quintet' album. It was recorded by George Shearing's 'new' quintetVibraphone – Don ThompsonGuitar – Reg SchwagerPiano – George ShearingBass – Neil SwainsonDrums – Dennis MackrelA mixture of classic jazz tunes, (many of which we looked at in detail in our 2020 Christmas special), and traditional carols. including a John Rutter carol who also helped GS with background for the liner notes. Hear a couple of the tunes live at lunchtime Dec 9th 2024 at the Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus performed by Nick's Shades of Shearing band. More info HEREMerry Christmas from us!  Hear previous Christmas editions on the links belowPrevious Christmas episodes2020 2021 2022   This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group

Send us a textIn this episode we chat about Christmas with the George Shearing Quintet  album. I t was recorded with George Shearings new quintetVibraphone – Don ThompsonGuitar – Reg SchwagerPiano – George ShearingBass – Neil SwainsonDrums – Dennis MackrelA mixture of classic Jazz tunes,  many of which we looked at in detail in our 2020 Christmas special, and traditional carols. including a John Rutter carol who also helped GS with background for the liner notes. Hear a couple of the tunes live lunchtime Dec 9th 2024 at the Spice of Life Cambridge circus performed by Nick's Shades of Shearing band. More info HEREMerry Christmas from us!  Hear previous Christmas editions on the links belowHere is a link to the Apple Music version It will be on all other streamers weassume.Previous Christmas episodes2020 2021 2022This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group