Complex Harmony: The Kirklees jazz scene

TOWNSOUNDS

Jazz does have a reputation for being a bit more complex than some other genres of music. Outside of trad-jazz, the genre tends to push the boundaries, and do things that most musicians can’t and most audiences probably can’t handle. Sometimes words can’t describe what you are trying to say about music. You have to feel it and see it and sing it and squeal it. And that is what this episode will attempt to bring to life. It’s not only Marsden jazz that has put Kirklees on the jazz map. One of the first residencies at the Batley Variety Club was Louis Armstrong. And Huddersfield has a Jazz Guitar Society and a Jazz Guitar Festival. There are a number of local jazz nights, jazz singers and professional jazz instrumentalists around the area. Jazz, for some reason, has a special place at the heart of Kirklees. And in this episode we’ll do our best to find out why.

The contributors featured in this episode are: Laurie Stead - founder of Huddersfield Jazz; Stan Sagan - double bass player; Paul Smith - drummer and organiser of the Head of Steam jazz night; Paul Chamberlain - bass player and organiser of the Head of Steam jazz night; Michael Massey – singer; Pat Fulgoni - singer and organiser of the Sunday Blues Train; Sean M Corby - trumpet player.

The episode also features excerpts of the following pieces of music with the kind permission of the copyright holders: Lay it Down Charlie Brown by Elements; Saratoga by Larry Van Kriedt; Roll Rizla Roll by Swing of Things; Caravan performed by Band of Jays; Pennies from Heaven performed by the Jazz Dawgs; Pat Fulgoni blues band, live in Prague.