Hyman heads fiesta of jazz
The Blackpool Gazette
Robin DukeThe annual Swinging Jazz Party will be hosted by the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool, in September.
The UK's first Stride Piano Spectacular, headed by Dick Hyman, and the first performance by a new version of Soprano Summit are just two items that promise to make this year's party exciting.
The 2007 event will also see the debut appearances of Texas-based pianist John Sheridan, New Orleans trumpeter Duke Heitger, solo guitar wizard Martin Taylor and the father-son trombone team of Bill and John Allred.
"Nothing like the Stride Piano event has been staged in Britain before," says SJP organiser Tom Baron. "The style is incredibly difficult and physically demanding and grew in Harlem out of ragtime in the early part of the last century.
"It is usually a romping, stomping tour de force of solo piano with the left hand striding the lower half of the keyboard, creating a driving, thrusting bass over which the most spectacular treble variations create an exciting counterpoint.
"The originators are all passed away and of the second generation of Stride men, Dick Hyman continues the legacy.
"But a new crop of talented, younger players will display their skills in Blackpool on the evening of Saturday, September 1, headed by Hyman, the acknowledged master of all jazz piano styles."
Supporting him is Italian wizard Rossano Sportiello, with two stars from Germany – Bernd Lhotzky and the American-born Chris Hopkins. John Sheridan, aka Mr Tasteful, is also performing at Blackpool.
Two grand pianos will be on stage and the group will play as individuals, duos, trios and a quartet. If John Sheridan joins in there may even be the challenge of squeezing five players at two keyboards.
The recent death of clarinettist Kenny Davern has sparked the rise of a new version of Soprano Summit which is formed as a tribute to the late star. Davern and Bob Wilber were the two stars who fronted the group, each playing soprano and clarinet.
The new version will be led by Wilber with Dick Hyman and guitarist Marty Grosz from the original group in support. Stepping into Davern's role is Anti Sarpilla, the Finnish multi-reed star and protégé of Wilber, with bassist Frank Tate and drummer Ed Metz rounding out the group.
Duke Heitger is the young trumpet star who has shot to the top in double-quick time, able to play in a variety of styles. Also making his first visit to Blackpool is the guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor .
Bill and John Allred, two wizards of the slide, join trombones for a rare appearance together while baritone star Joe Temperley also makes his Blackpool debut.
The Swinging Jazz Party starts with the Stride Piano Spectacular on the evening of September 1 and ends late on September 4.
Details from Tom Baron on (01253)764012 or by email
c.baron1@excite.com.
www.swingingjazzparty.com
