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2-5-12-5m-1-S2E51-So you make it all up right?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 group2025-06-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E49-Jazz Versions of pop tunesSend 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 fi...2025-05-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E47-Book Review-You Can't Steal a GiftSend 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 sc...2025-04-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E41-Mid Season BreakSend us a textNick and Simon are taking a break. The next 2-5-1- 5 Monte podcast will go out on Feb 1st 2025. We are about to record a Christmas special in a slightly longer format so that will appear in your feed if you subscribe or find it on our websiteThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-12-0101 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E40-Busking a TuneSend us a textEpisode 40 of Series 2 to the 50 plus episodes from series 1 and our long form series on Sonny Clark and Kenny Drew. Busking a tune what does that men? Sometimes when you hear a jazz band some of the players are playing a tune for the first time by ear with a few pointers from the person calling the tune.Simon and Nick discuss the conceptThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-11-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E39- When is a Band a Bigband?Send us a textWhat do we understand to be a big band? Nick and Simon discuss the ingredients that might go into to making a big band in terms of instruments style and techniques. Then put the template to the test by considering a few examplesThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-11-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E38- Mole Jazz Record ShopSend us a textIn this episode Nick and Simon talk about Mole Jazz a shop that closed 20 years ago now but is fondly remembered by Jazz aficionados of a certain age. They also had a small catalogue of releases on the Mole Jazz label.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-10-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E34- Kind Of Blue BookSend us a textNick and Simon present one of their jazz book reviews.Kind of Blue : Miles Davis and the making of a masterpiece. Ashley Kahn Granta 2001 is an in-depth look at the legendary album its creation and its legacy. Ashley Kahn has written much about jazz and his books on A Love Supreme and Impulse Records : the house that Trane built [ Simon got that title slightly wrong in the podcast] in December 1999 Kahn got to hear the master tapes of the sessions including the false starts etc and the 50th...2024-08-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E21-Romare BeardenSend us a textNick and Simon talk about the artist Romare Bearden Who was connected to the jazz scene in more than one way. His most well know works are collage and often depict jazz subjects. He went to School with Billy Eckstein and wrote Seabreeze with him which featured on the Branford Marsalis album Romare Bearden Revealed a cultural figure whose foundation supports his legacy and the artistic community This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-02-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E20-Piano JazzSend us a textSimon and Nick talk about the long running radio show hosted by Marion McPartland.episodes are still available to stream from NPR like this one with Gene HarrisThis is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2024-02-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E18-Club 11Send us a textNick And Simon Discuss the short lived but influential London Jazz club "Club Eleven", named after the number of founder members, began life just before Christmas in 1948. It was a co-operative arrangement designed to bring bebop to the attention of the jazz public at large. The musicians involved were Ronnie Scott, Hank Shaw, Leon Calvert, Johnny Rogers, Bernie Fenton, Tommy Pollard, Lennie Bush, Joe Muddel, Tony Crombie and Laurie Morgan plus manager Harry Morris. Johnny Dankworth and Denis Rose were regulars from the start. Some gave up steady work, Scott left Ted Heath...2024-01-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E17-Blow up a stormSend us a textNick And Simon talk about the Jazz Novel Blow up a storm published in 1959 [ a seminal year in Jazz history]This is a first novel by the director, producer and dramatist, Garson Kanin, whose short stories have appeared in Esquire, Vogue and the Atlantic Monthly. Written in the first person and told in flashback this is a dramatist's recollections of his early days in jazz -- during the depression and the close of prohibition. While in Chicago, on tour with his actress wife, the narrator receives a phone call from...2023-12-1506 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E16-The Music of Mr BennSend us a textSimon & Nick discuss the Score to Mr Benn by Don Warren an Alias for Duncan Lamontwho for several decades Lamont worked as a freelance musician (on flute and clarinet as well as saxophone), based around Archer Street in Soho and playing in the surrounding jazz clubs. He often performed with British bands accompanying American vocalists, including Fred Astaire, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Marlene Dietrich, Peggy Lee and (for 19 seasons) with Frank Sinatra. He also played with touring bandleaders such as Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Henry Mancini. Lamont...2023-12-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E15-Born to be BlueSend us a textNicK and Simon Talk about the filmBorn to Be Blue a 2015 drama film directed, produced and written by Robert Budreau. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo. ] The film is about American jazz musician Chet Baker, portrayed by Hawke.Directed by | Robert BudreauWritten by | Robert BudreauProduced by | Jennifer JonasRobert BudreauLeonard FarlingerJake Seal[1]Starring | Ethan HawkeCarmen EjogoCinematography | Steve CosensEdited by | David FreemanMusic by...2023-11-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E214- So You Think You Hate Jazz?Send us a textInspired by a post on Instagram, and the standard stereotypical responses to the question " Dear 'people who don't like jazz' what don't you like about it?" posed by Kira C Garcia (follow her here) Nick and Simon pondered the question. Look out for a blog on this from Simon.This is our website This is our InstagramThis is our Facebook group2023-11-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E13-Jam SessionsSend us a textJam sessions have been and continue to be at the heart of the jazz scene. In this episode Simon and Nick briefly discuss the history, culture and function of jam sessions in jazz.You can get more information about our podcasts hereThanks for listening2023-10-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E12-Jazz and Civil RightsSend us a textIn this episode Nick leads the discussion on the subject of jazz and it's connection to the Civil Rights movement in the US2023-10-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E11-Mo Better BluesSend us a textIn this Episode we discuss Spike Lee's Mo Better Blues. Wikipedia saysMo' Better Blues is a 1990 American musical comedy-drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also wrote, produced, and directed.[1] It follows a period in the life of fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington) as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career. The film focuses on themes of friendship, loyalty, honesty, cause-and-effect, and ultimately salvation. It features the music of the...2023-09-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E10-AebersoldSend us a textAny student of jazz will be well aware of the Aebersold play-along series: over 100 records with accompanying books. There are even supplements with transcriptions of the voicings the pianist played if you are into that? Nick and Simon discuss the origin and impact of the series.His website is hereIt has an interesting page for further reading2023-09-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E9-Jazz And MeditationSend us a textIn this episode Simon & Nick discuss Jazz and Meditation. There are elements of meditation that improvisers may well relate to : flow state, acceptance , being in the moment, completely absorbed in the process yet fully aware of what is happening around you. we mention Kenny Werners Effortsless Mastery Tony Scott Music For Zen MeditationJerry Begonzi Developing a jazz languagethere are various Apps to help you get going with meditationthe Calm app is very popularmany others are available Headspace and Ba...2023-08-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E8-Jimmy JonesSend us a textThis episode is about an " under the radar " pianist Jimmy Jones. An arranger pianist for some of the greats singers here is an Apple Music link to the album Nick mentioned Sarah Vaughan"The Divine One" 2023-08-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1 S2E7-PracticingSend us a textIn this episode, Nick and Simon discuss what it means to practice jazz piano.2023-07-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E6-Jazz HumourSend us a text2 pianists look confused walking into a bar.It was an 11/8 bar!What role does humour play in Jazz?2023-07-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E5-Playing and SingingSend us a textPlaying the piano and singing, what's involved? Nick and simon talk about it in this episode.2023-06-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E4- Film Review- Round MidnightSend us a textAnother in our new series of jazz film reviews. The Bertrand Tavernier jazz movie that refreshed Dexter Gordon's career late in his life. 2023-06-0105 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E3-Dudley MooreSend us a textDudley Moore may well be best known for his comedy partnership with Peter Cook and his success on screen in the films 10 and Arthur, but he was also a very accomplished musician. He was an Organ Scholar at Oxford which is where he met the other folk who comprised Beyond the Fringe.Perhaps less well known is what a great jazz pianist he was. Simon and Nick discuss him in this episode. Link to his Genuine Dud album here2023-05-1505 min2-5-12-5m-1-S2E2-Jazz and BoxingSend us a textDid you know some jazz musicians were also boxers? Find out more in this episode.2023-05-0105 min2-5-1The Fabulous Baker BoysSend us a textTo start season two Simon & Nick talk about the Fabulous Baker Boys.This is a new strand where Nick and Simon talk about jazz related films.At present there are a few distinct strands:1. Under the Radar Pianists- like Hod O' Brian2.Jazz Oddities- e.g. Jazz Oboe3. Technical discussions - like Block Chords4 Jazz Books- e.g. Jazz Heavyweight5.Jazz Films-like Round MidnightAll episodes are available on our new OnPodium Website.Where you can also leave comments and...2023-04-1505 min
2-5-12-5m-1-S1E2.2-Marty Paich -With Mel TormeSend us a textIn the full episode 2 it was a pleasure to chat with Arranger Orchestrator Giles Thornton. He helped me out on some of the transcriptions for the Marty Swings the singers project [watch this space for news of the gig} One of the charts he took down was "Surrey with a fringe on top" and we discuss that plus " it's Too Darn Hot" a transcription I am currently working on. Here is a link to a reduction of Surrey With a Fringe on top LINKthe piano solo from Ep 1 is al...2023-03-281h 16
2-5-12-5m-1-S1E2.1-Marty Paich -With Mel TormeSend us a textThis is the 15 minute introduction to the full episode 2 as episode 2 is 1 hour 15 minutes I felt it better to publish the intro separately here Is a link to the albums as a playlist on apple music and Spotify2023-03-2315 min
2-5-12-5-1-Marty Paich - S1E1 - The PianistSend us a textThis new five part longer form series starts with Nick and Simon examining Marty Paich as pianist. Paich was a musical polymath and his career spanned jazz, classical & film music. Simon will present the other four episodes talking to various arrangers about Marty Paich as arranger - looking at his medium-sized ensemble work with particular focus on the octet, his work for big band referencing Art Pepper + 11, his work for the famous Dektette focussing on his work with Mel Torme, and his work in film.2023-02-1555 min2-5-12-5m-1-S1E50-END OF SERIES 1Send us a textAn end of series announcement. in the 50 episodes Nick and I have covered, 8 under the radar pianists, reviewed 7 Jazz books, talked about 10 technical subjects discussed 5 unusual Jazz instruments and even managed 1 April fool.Plus many more subjects like famous jazz clubs and record labels.We have also made 2 long form series over 5 podcasts about Kenny Drew and Sonny Clark also interviews with 4 London based Jazz influencers and produced 3 Christmas Specials.Look out for Simon's upcoming series on arranger Marty PaichWe will return with Series 2 April...2023-02-0100 min2-5-12-5m-1-S1E49-George WallingtonSend us a textAnother episode in our " Under the Radar Pianists" series.George Wallington wrote a tune that was made well known by Gerry Mulligan'sarrangement on Birth of the Cool and established himself as one of the best bebop pianists of his generation.He was prolific as a sideman in the 1950s but in 1960 dropped out of music to pursue something far cooler. Listen to find out more!2023-01-1505 min2-5-12-5-1-Special- Nick & GeorgeSend us a textIn this Special Episode Nick and Simon DiscussGeorge Shearing and Nick's new project playing his music Shades of Shearinggigs areSat January 14th 2023 - Peggy's Skylight - NottinghamFeb 18th Blue Room - LincolnWed May 24th - The Fleece - BoxfordFri July 7th - Steyning Jazz Club - Steyning.The Band IsNick Tomalin – pianoNat Steele – vibraphone...2023-01-0814 min2-5-12-5m-1-S1E48-Jazz OboeSend us a textA look at the Oboe in jazz.2023-01-0105 min
2-5-12-5-1-Christmas-2022Send us a textNick and Simon discuss four newish (one jewish) holiday offerings. 1. Snowbound- Emma Smith2. Louis Wishes you a Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong3. On Christmas Day- Paul Edis and Friends4. Big Band Holidays- JLCO with Wynton MarsalisFrabjous Nicktide from us! 2022-12-1554 min