Speakeasy starts new year on a bright note

COLIN Headford, the founder of and spokesman for Speakeasy Jazz at the Farmhouse Tavern in Torquay, has been in touch with news of the venue's first concert of 2010.

Colin said: "My thanks to all at Lowe Down for your help in previewing so many of our events during 2009.

"We hope to continue in the same vein during 2010 by presenting an attractive jazz line-up for all our patrons.

"In fact, we begin the 2010 Speakeasy Jazz programme on January 6 when we'll be presenting Mornington Lockett with the Kevin Sanders Quartet.

"The quartet will comprise Craig Milverton on keyboards, plus Graham Pinkney (vibes), Kevin Sanders (double bass) and Coach York on drums."

Mornington Lockett is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator based in London.

His career to date has ranged from playing jazz with Ronnie Scott, blues with Jimmy Smith, Cuban music with Arturo Sandoval and even a rock session with Oasis.

In addition to his live in concert and studio work, Mornington is on the staff of the Royal College of Music and the Trinity College of Music in London.

His is also a visiting teacher at a number of other UK schools and colleges.

In his busy schedule, Mornington is currently working as part of the New Couriers, with Martin Drew, plus the Three Jazz Tenors, with Art Themen and Don Weller, and a number of Stan Tracey groups.

In fact, a few months ago, Mornington appeared with Stan Tracey at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the 2009 Proms.

Lockett began playing clarinet at the age of 14 before switching to tenor sax.

He studied at Dartington College of Arts, graduating in 1981, after which he undertook further study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama between 1984 and 1985.

He played in Jim Mullen's band from 1988 to 1993 and with Ronnie Scott between 1990 and 1994.

Then he went-on to work with Arturo Sandoval, Ian Shaw, Andrea Vicari, Martin Drew, Stan Tracey; Don Weller; and Clark Tracey among others.

Today, he continues to be a member of Sax Appeal, and is soon to present shows for UK Jazz Radio.

Colin added: "Mornington's appearance at Speakeasy Jazz on January 6 is, we feel, a brilliant start to our 2010 season and a show jazz fans wouldn't want to miss."

Admission will be £8 for Speakeasy members and £10 per person for non-members with concessions for students. The music starts at 8.30pm."

THERE was something of a resurgence in folk music across South Devon during 2009, thanks in no small measure to locally based outfits like Chanter and Paddy's Whiskers.

And in spite of the recession, not to mention the vagaries of today's licensing laws, rock music also continued to do good business across the Bay and beyond with such bands as the New Machine, Morph, Humanitarians, Usual Suspects, Livin' in a Valvesate and Vivid Sky playing prominent roles.

On a more specialist front, Ska revivalists The Simmertones enjoyed a busy year both locally and up-country, as did the rockin' rhythm 'n' blues roots outfit The Wildcards.

It was also good to see the ever-popular soul and Tamla show band Joey the Lips back in Torbay on a couple of occasions.

Other visitors to South Devon during 2009 included the Dutch band SQY and the Hendrix tribute outfit the Hendrix Alive Project, also from the Netherlands.

There was also a welcome return to the South West by the Frankfurt-based rock 'n' rhythm 'n' blues outfit Blues Power featuring the guitar ace Stefan Jahn.

All in all, then, 2009 proved to be an encouraging year for South Devon's live music scene.

Let's hope 2010 builds on that positive note. Happy New Year!