[Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman / Gene Krupa Tribute at Thurston, Bury St Edmunds 20 Oct

[John Petters]

Press Release

Stompin' At The Savoy - The Special Magic of Benny Goodman

starring John Petters Trio at the Grange Hotel, Thurston, nr Bury St Edmunds

Sunday 20th October at 8PM

Swing is King - Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa style and you can find out why
on Sunday 20th October at 8PM, when the John Petters Trio take perform
Stompin' At the Savoy at the Grange Hotel, Thurston (nr Bury St Edmunds).

The 1930s and '40s were the golden years of the big swing bands, when Glenn
Millier, Count Basie and Duke Ellington reigned supreme. One of the biggest
names in Swing, however, was Benny Goodman. Born into an impoverished Jewish
family in Chicago in 1909, Goodman took up clarinet at a very young age and
found himself touring in top professional bands whilst still in short
trousers.

Chicago, during the '20s, was buzzing with the sounds of jazz - pioneer
musicians from New Orleans made the Windy City the jazz Mecca of the world.
Young Benny heard Louis Armstrong and clarinettists Jimmie Noone and Johnny
Dodds. He developed a rough edge to his sound and a formidable technique.

Forming a big band in 1935, which included drumming legend Gene Krupa,
Goodman's star soon started to climb. The highly arranged Orchestra
contrasted with the Benny Goodman Trio, which featured Krupa and a talented
young black pianist, Teddy Wilson. In those days of racial segregation,
Goodman struck an early blow for American civil rights, believing a musician
's talent was more important than the colour of his skin.

The BG Trio's first recordings in 1935 caused a sensation amongst music
fans. This was fast exciting jazz, with musicians at the top of their game,
each a great soloist, and every disc containing fresh and exciting
improvisations.

Popular ballads of the day were given the Goodman treatment. A new
description was given to this music - "Chamber Jazz".

The Trio was augmented to a quartet when vibraharpist, Lionel Hampton
joined. In 1938, Goodman staged the first jazz concert at New York's
Carnegie Hall, which totally sold out. The recording from this concert is
one of the best selling jazz albums of all time.

Long after the Swing Era gave way to rock and pop music, the Benny Goodman
small groups filled concert halls and festivals, delighting fans all over
the world.

Over the years many bands have tried to copy the Goodman style. Few have
achieved the critical acclaim poured on the John Petters Trio. Here's what
the critics said when reviewing the CD Stompin' At The Savoy. Of star
clarinettist, Trevor Whiting,

"(his) technical skill and perfect tone created a soulful improvisation" -
Jazz Journal International

"Trevor Whiting is a font of creative and swinging ideas, who also knows
when it's wise to simply play the melody. Utilising his chalumeau range to
haunting effect, that's basically all he does on the ballad When I grow Too
Old to Dream and its one of the most memorable performances here." - The
Mississippi Rag USA

Of John Petters, "John Has always been up front in his enthusiasm for the
drumming style of Krupa, and on this CD he shows off that style to the full,
with his use of tom toms, cymbals & snare drum. When he takes off - he takes
off!" - Jazz Review

Of Nick Dawson "....(he) sounds like a dynamite combination of Oscar
Peterson and Dave McKenna."- Mississippi Rag USA.

Stompin' at The Savoy promises an entertaining evening of jazz from the days
when melody in music mattered. Standards such as Runnin' Wild, Body & Soul,
After You've Gone and Avalon will be performed by this talented trio.

This will be a non smoking event, although smoking is permitted in the hotel
bar.

Tickets are only £10 and available from 0800 496 0673

Further details on www.traditional-jazz.com. E-mail jpettjazz@tesco.net



John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ