The layout of the pub is perfect, with a raised area for the band to set up and play, whilst allowing ample room for guest performers to join them. You can sit up close to watch and listen, or be further away to chat with friends and still enjoy the musical environment.

The Fat Cat Brewery Tap started trading in February 2011. It’s aim is showcase some of the UK’s best beers and Live bands. With up to 25 Real Ales on at any time, including those directly from the Fat Cat Brewery which is housed under the same roof! Over 40 bottled beers from around the world and 20 traditional ciders, you should find something to your taste. Every week live bands take the stage, with Norwich Jazz Jam every Monday and other varied bands every Friday night from 8pm and Sunday afternoon from 3pm.

Go to FatCatTap.co.uk to check out gigs and beers.

So join Lee, Mark, Ian and Matt every Monday evening from 8.30 pm, to see what we are talking about and why we are loving life so much at the Fat Cat Brewery Tap!

The jazzjam band consisting of Brendon Youngs on Upright Bass, Lee Vasey on Guitar, Gerry Salisbury on Cornet, Jake Burgess on Saxophone, Mark Jolley on Violin, Ian Hireson on Rhythm Guitar and Matt Furness on Drums performed at Old Buckenham High School on 24th April 2013. The entertainment started at 7.30 p.m. with the School Jazz Band playing a fine set, with the jazzjam band playing for over an hour and a half with some of the School musicians joining the band on stage.

It was a lovely, entertaining evening and a wonderful opportunity to bring the sound of jazz to a young generation, whilst giving the youngsters a chance to play along with experienced jazz musicians.

Fluent and intelligent jazz is thriving in Norfolk with musicians of such dynamic creativity, reports Roger Haywood, arts and jazz critic for the Eastern Daily Press.

Five Norfolk musicians at the peak of their abilities made an impressive debut at the celebrated jazz venue, the Dereham Jazz Society at Lyng.  This was their debut as it marked the first performance of the ensemble outside their home base; this is the Cottage pub in Norwich, where they perform to enthusiastic fans every Monday night, with many talented musicians from across the county and beyond, joining them to show their own styles and skills.

This first club performance by these players was greeted with delight by the enthusiasts at the club in Lyng, near Dereham.  The leader of the Norwich jazzjam band, Brendan Youngs, plays a powerful electric double bass, the heart of the rhythm section. He was excellently supported by the amazing fluidity of Lee Vasey who has earned his reputation as one of the finest UK jazz guitarists.  His flights were supported by the impeccable chords of Ian Hireson on rhythm guitar.  Driving the band was the accomplished drumming of the youngest player, the amazing Matt Furness. He may look 14, as he is, but he already sounds like a star in the making.  Front man, Mark Jolley, on electric violin, perhaps more familiar in the folk scene, demonstrated his stylish skills with sensitive, soaring solos, also taking the lead on most numbers.

Two horn players were added to the band for the night and both made distinctive contributions.  Buzz Clarke, dominated the performance with his superbly muscular and creative trombone.  Alongside him, was the diminutive Gerry Salisbury, a respected jazz veteran, yielding not an inch in his distinctive and witty cornet … nor sounding as if he is planning to retire, despite being 70 years older than Matt!

Gerry has played many times at DJS which is a club he helped to form some years ago. That master of the clarinet, Pete Oxborough, who has often played alongside Gerry, also joined for the second set and changed the whole mood of the session. His playing was exhilarating with a brilliant tone, making up the classic front line … but swinging as if it would go out of fashion!

The tight ensemble playing and impressive solos were greeted with enthusiasm by the knowledgeable fans at the club.  This is a band that is not just new on the scene but which is certain to be central to the rising popularity of polished and tuneful jazz in our region.

Were you aware that Lee has a well known comedian as a relation?

Well, the local newspaper, the Norwich Evening News, ran an excellent feature on Lee that provides answers to these questions, and you can read it here.

Don’t forget that you can see and hear the man himself each and every Monday, together with Brendan, Mark, Ian and Matt at The Jazz Jam in the wonderful setting of The Cottage on Silver Road in Norwich. So come along whether you choose to play or just listen to the jazz whilst sampling some of the finest beers available in the City.

photo courtesy of Norwich Evening News

Brendan Youngs and his band of top rate jazz musicians will be moving the celebrated Monday Jazz Jam to an equally celebrated Norwich pub, the Cottage in Silver Road, NR3 4TB, which runs up from Barrack Street, the northern part of the inner ring road. This jam is one of the best known in the eastern counties and widely rated by the jazz community.

www.jazzjam.org.uk

The Cottage is a great and friendly pub and far more suited to the relaxed mood of the jam; it was CAMRA’s city pub in 2011. Also good news, the jam will be on every Monday from 6th August, so do try to get to as many of these gigs as you can – from 8.30pm to 11pm, though it is wiser to get there a bit earlier as the band gets setup from around 8.00 and you can chat to Brendan if you want to play. Whether you do or just want to listen to some fine jazz standards, swing and post bop classics, then we hope we will see you there. The pub is run by Sally and her team, who will make you very welcome – plus mine hostess offers a range of up to ten different real ales, some great Belgian beers, single malts …. or soft drinks, teas and coffees for those of us driving!!!

Anyone who wants to play and who is at least a moderate level will get a chance to join in – either on a number they chose or with other players, depending on the numbers of us wanting to show off our talents. Age is irrelevant as we have jammers from their early teens through to their late eighties; the essentials are commitment, enthusiasm and a passion for our kind of music!

If you have not been to the jam before, the band is first class and can play almost anything. You might find it easiest to make your tune choice from the common Real Books. If you prefer, bring your own charts. If it is your first venture ask one of the other jammers if you can join them. Good reading is not essential but a good jazz ear is.

Brendan leads from a great upright bass, with the famous Lee Vasey, taking a night off from his big band, on a stunningly melodic lead guitar. Mark Jolley adds a highly distinctive electric violin to the frontline with more than an echo of Stéphane Grappelli; Ian Hireson plays a beautiful rhythm guitar, laying down an invaluable guide to the chord changes for improvising players. (Also he can even sell you the real Books in C Eb and Bb, if you do not have those, as he can get them at better prices than retail.) On drums is Matt Furness who drives the whole group on with his ability to match the mood to the playing – close your eyes though, as you would never guess he is veteran of many years … but still only 14!

When you are invited up to play, you will choose the number, set the tempo and agree with Brendan the intro – count in, four bars or whatever – then play the head, take the first chorus, followed by Mark and Lee each with their own solo chorus, before you lead the band out with the head. Simple! Sskgieeghhsk!

Also, Paul Barnes has mentioned the jam more than once on his excellent BBC Radio Norfolk programme ( broadcast across the eastern counties) from 11 pm each Saturday night to 1 am on the Sunday, when he plays the best of jazz, swing and related rhythm with some of his own polished rhubarb. If you cannot listen then, the show is available on line for seven days via the BBC’s great ‘Listen again’ facility

See you at the Cottage this coming Monday …… If you feel lost, ask for Brendan or me or any members of the band ……..

Roger Haywood