Page 73 - Phonebox Magazine October 2012

JAZZ @ the carlton club
Inaugural show at new venue is sell out success
Iʼve been a keen supporter of the Olney Jazz Club since itʼs inception at the Bull Inn in Olney last year. It was an intimate little venue with some huge performances from kick off, and so like most of the audience, there was some nervousness when a change of venue was announced to the almost cavernous Carlton House Club.
But there was no need for trepidation. The season kicked off in style on September 4th with Terry Lightfoot and his band. Terry has been playing jazz halls and clubs pretty much since he could walk. He has toured with Louis Armstrong and fronted Aker Bilkʼs band for a while, and his stories, rough jazzy voice and spine tingling clarinet playing would have filled the back room at the Carlton Club on its own. Accompanied as he was by the superb Gary Wood on trumpet, his youngest daughter, Melinda on vocals, with Rob Evans on double bass, Bobby Orr on drums and Alan Haughton (founder and organiser of the Olney Jazz Club) on keyboards, the Carlton House venue simply rocked.
It had a great clubby feel, with round tables and candlelight, and it was lovely to be able to come and go to the bar as we pleased. The atmosphere was amazing, the music even more so. All in all, a well thought out and
executed move to what might just turn out to be a legendary
jazz venue! HB
xNIMBY A celebration of
things on our
doorstep that we
often overlook: in
my back yard. This
month
Alan Houghton ...
These articles usually concentrate on a building, attraction or other solid entity. Never before have I applied it to a person. But why not? Here in our midst we have the lovely Alan Houghton, a bit of a silent hero for local, live music. Well maybe not so silent .... He is often found accompanying vocalists and other talented musicians at Cafe Brio on a Monday, or at his own Olney Jazz Club at the Carlton Club on the first Tuesday of every month. He is an amazing keyboard player. He manages and promotes some huge jazz acts including Terry Lightfoot, Sophia Ripley and Susan Valliant Spear and is a strong proponent for local, live jazz. If you are into your music, look out for the name, because where Alan goes, talent goes with him!
Phonebox Magazine 73