BIG BEAR MUSIC
Real Music, Properly Played
Big
Bear Records, probably
the longest established independent record
company in the UK, have been at the forefront of Jazz, Swing and Blues
since 1968.
The
company was named Big Bear by legendary
radio producer John Peel
who
thought the gait of the label's founder,
Jim Simpson,
resembled
that of a bear. The label grew out of
Simpson's production company
which has steered Black
Sabbath through
their first three years and the best 3 albums of their career.
Initially
recording U.S. Bluesmen,
the labels repertoire quickly expanded first
to include such significant West Midlands bands as Muscles, The Quads,
Garbo's Celluloid Heroes, The Gangsters and Mel Gaynor's Zulu.
From
1985, Big Bear Records began to establish its reputation as the home of
great jazz, blues and swing with King
Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys,
Kenny Baker's Dozen, Clark Terry Big Bird Band, Bruce Adams / Alan
Barnes Quintet, Lady Sings The Blues, Alan Barnes All-Stars and many
more.
And
there's more to come, with new talents Tipitina and The Doctor Teeth Big
Band, both out on the road promoting their hot
new CDs on Big Bear Records.
HOT JAZZ NO 9
THE BULLETIN OF THE BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Now we are about to have a heatwave [!!] it is the perfect time to look at a couple of upcoming jazz alfresco specials – both set in splendid gardens.
Monthly Saturday Trad At The Garden House kicks off on August 15th with Wolverhampton-based Martinique
Jazz Band. Honorary Citizens of New Orleans, an accolade they picked up when
featuring in the Jazz & Heritage Festival, the band take pride in featuring
several jazz styles, from Beiderbecke to Brubeck, from Louis Armstrong to Louis
Prima via the jump jive of Louis Jordan. It’s a 7.30pm start and admission is
free. Subsequent Saturday Trad features Arthur Brown Jazz Band [September 12th],
and Millennium Eagle Jazz Band [October 10th]. More Saturday jazz at
The Garden House in August features Reinhardt specialists Djangology [Saturday
8th], the be-bopper Steve Ajao Quartet [22nd], the New
Orleans Mardi Gras of The Night Trippers [29th] while Big Joe
Pleasure is set to hold sway with his Kansas City bar room blues and boogie on
Bank Holiday Monday [31st].
The Botanical Gardens are one of Birmingham’s best-kept secrets, acres of idyllic and unspoilt gardens, only a stone’s throw from the City Centre. Redcliffe Catering have their last Barbecue of the summer on Thursday 10th September. Ticket price of £14.95 includes the barbecue and entrance to the Gardens. Call 0121 450 4607 for ticket details. The jazz comes courtesy of Zenith Hot Stompers, who must be one of the UK’s longest-established and most-respected Trad outfits.
Just a late reminder to our Gloucestershire contingent who may be at a loose end tonight [Friday 7th August], Tubby’s Blues Club in Cheltenham [United Services Club, 7 North Place] present Tipitina with their interesting and personal take on the music of Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino and that wonderful New Orleans blues, boogie and barrelhouse. Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 8.30 and runs until midnight. Tickets are £10 and available at the door or by calling 01242 691 998 or 07796 034 206.
The Sunday afternoon shows at The Public in West Bromwich continue
apace. The Public as an arts venue has taken a lot of flack over the past year,
with the actual exhibits never actually working and never in fact viewed by the
public despite a spend of well over £60m. All this profligacy has obscured a
really successful weekly Sunday afternoon jazz session which has been in place
for a year or so and which attracts good audiences. Starting at 1pm, the jazz
sessions take place in The Pink Tank and are free admission. The Public is
right in the centre of West Bromwich, just off High Street and 2 minutes from
the Bus Station. Upcoming attractions are Mike Burney Band [August 9th],
New Orleans Hotshots [16th], Millennium Eagle Jazz Band [23rd],
The Night Trippers [30th], Val Wiseman [September 6th],
Tipitina [13th].
In the wake of a successful
participation in the Birmingham International Jazz Festival, The Mint Restaurant [YewTreeRetail Park,
Stoney Lane,
Yardley] is presenting a series of Jazz Café sessions. Ticketed at £20 which
includes a 3 course meal, advance bookings can be made at 0121 789 8908. The
audiences have been good, and the bands are tell us that they are looked after
extremely well – always a good sign. Next session is set for Wednesday 2nd
September with the Kel Elliot Band.
Finally, for all the jivers, jitterbugs and Lindyhoppers in Wiltshire, tomorrow night [Saturday 8th] the irrepressible King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys are showcased at Town Gardens Bowl in Swindon. Doors 6pm, show at 8pm, tickets £12 in advance and £14 on the door. Call 01793 466 565 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/bowlconcerts.
For further information
Please call 0121 454 7020
Address: PO Box 944, Birmingham, B16 8UT
Email: admin@bigbearmusic.com