Famed sociologist Laurie Taylor communes with John Etheridge

The highly erudite Thinking Allowed presenter Laurie Taylor communes with jazz-rock-prog guitar icon John Etheridge in this absorbing In Conversation With film that is streaming via The Vortex/YouTube. The cult of the individual soloist, amused …

Published: 18 Nov 2020. Updated: 3 years.

The highly erudite Thinking Allowed presenter Laurie Taylor communes with jazz-rock-prog guitar icon John Etheridge in this absorbing In Conversation With film that is streaming via The Vortex/YouTube.

The cult of the individual soloist, amused notions of extremely bourgeois individualism, playing with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and more down the Speakeasy – plus a post-Extrapolation and In a Silent Way satori are all very vividly related. Recommended.

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Clare Teal show axed after 15 years

News that doesn't in the least swing: More retrenchment on the radio after reductions in jazz time on the airwaves over on BBC Radio 3 last year. This time the corporation can't be bothered about jazz enough on light listening network Radio 2. So …

Published: 18 Nov 2020. Updated: 3 years.

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News that doesn't in the least swing: More retrenchment on the radio after reductions in jazz time on the airwaves over on BBC Radio 3 last year. This time the corporation can't be bothered about jazz enough on light listening network Radio 2. So what will the BBC do now having axed The Swing and Big Band Show with Clare Teal as announced? Ladle more celeb non-music people and associated twinkly treacle on in its place or even worse factor in nothing new that's relevant at all to jazz fans?

The Yorkshire Post has more on the story about the show's imminent demise. Read the piece and you'll marvel at how it's a constant task, possibly wearying, this business of "always exploring new ways of reflecting the broad range of genres" and reflect how such a whirl of activity keeps hopeless middle managers, for now, off the streets.

The last Teal show will be broadcast on 3 January 2021. Will station jazz idol Jamie Cullum be quaking in his cornflakes this morning and wondering if he's next? After all Clare was one of the people most significant in spotting the future star at the start of his career, suggesting to Candid label boss Alan Bates that he sign the ''Sinatra in sneakers'' as Cullum was known by some at the time pre-Pointless Nostalgic during his regional Pizza Express days. If he isn't he'll be as gutted as anyone listening who enjoyed Clare's positive and uplifting show that championed vintage styles of jazz that are often forgotten about will certainly feel.