23/02/2025
Sensational jazz writer and classy old-school Modern jazz quartet leader Simon Spillett has a new album out – ‘Up In Town’. It’s a big deal, because he has a long held antipathy to recording, often loathing the results, but rather likes this one.
He’s also ‘up in town’ on 23 February at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho. His quartet has been having a good run lately – including a recent sold out Ronnie Scott’s. But his punters clearly don’t like pizza. The show looks like being for a ‘select’ audience. If you’re within travelling distance, give it a go.
Here’s what Simon (not as dour as some may think) has to say about the show on his social media page:
Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho
Sunday February 23rd 2025
A concert by the Simon Spillett Quartet launching its new album
‘Up In Town’ (Mister PC Records) featuring the music of Tubby Hayes.
As well as the quartet with Pete Billington, Alec Dankworth and Pete Cater and the opportunity to purchase the new album ahead of its official release date there are a host of attractive diversions including:
* Italian cheese on toast
* unpronounceable desserts
* a range of incapacitating beverages
* face painting
* mystery prizes
* musical chairs
* acrobatic staff
* jazz board games
* fancy dress competition
* holographic jazz legends
* reiki healing
* challenge Alec
If you’d like to purchase a ticket in advance please do because, quite frankly, sales for this night have atrophied, to put it politely.
If you enjoyed our recent gig at Ronnie Scott’s and think you can stand another evening of frenzied saxophone playing and middling humour do come along. And tell all your friends. I’ve told both of mine.
Thank you.
A preview from the album:
https://petecater1.bandcamp.com/track/dont-fall-off-the-bridge-preview
And a full performance from the fab four:
Seen/heard Mr Spillett a few times in different band combinations. Last time was in October at the B3 Lounge. He’s always well worth catching. A very high-energy player who can cool it down beautifully for ballads.
Also saw his piano player Pete Billington (the other one) do an Xmas show the year before last. He’s very good.
This is just within my budget (no gigs over £30) and the Pizza Express is a good venue, so I’ve got myself a ticket.
Good man, Mike!
Sounds great. Thanks Colin.
You probably already know but there’s a ‘new’ Tubby Hayes release coming this spring on Jazz In Britain – Live at the Antibes Jazz Festival, 1962. Simon Spillett is doing the liner notes.
Indeed. Looking forward to reading Simon’s essay, as always – I believe it’s an epic. 🙂
I doubt you do Facebook but he writes wonderful long posts on whatever is on his mind. As excellent with a keyboard as he is with an alto sax.
Surprisingly, I *am* on FB and regularly follow the Spillster’s posts thereon. I’m on no other platforms.
Hurrah. I saw him recently in the pub at the bottom of my road!
Was he grumpy?
Not this again….
😀 I was rather hoping that Twang would say ‘Not on this occasion!’ and the whole Grumpgate saga would be a matter happily resolved!
No grumpiness in evidence but I kept a safe distance. Great gig though. I think we can safely assume the grumpiness was a one off reserved for book purchasers only.
No doubt. Still, best to be on the safe side! 😀
Dear Mr. Twang,
Thanks for the kind comments above re: writing and saxophone stuff.
I can only apologise for appearing repeatedly grumpy while in your presence. Perhaps I can offer something by way of an explanation? Here goes;
I AM A GRUMPY B*ST*RD.
I hope that makes matters clear.
Please do feel free to approach me if I ever play at the end of your road again. I’ll be only too happy to behave with complete indifference to you if you purchase a copy of the new album and will of course offer to sign it while failing to respond to any attempt at small talk.
One must give audiences what they expect!
Yours with a face like a smacked a****
Simon Spillett (tenor saxophone)
😀 I think that amounts to a handshake!
Dear Spillster
I’m sure it was a one off. If it even happened. Colin makes things up – it’s that journalist training.
I’ll carry a white flag next time you come to the Highlander.
Love
Twang
No need to surrender.
I’m at the Highlander on Wednesday March 12th.
Hope it’s legendary.
If the place is full of rubber-neckers expecting a punch-up, we will know the reach of the Afterword…
I’ll be there! I’ll be the one hiding out of sight.
Alas I return from that there London that day, so I count myself lucky that I’m not in the vicinity to hear your grumpy sax.
Shame I’ll miss out on some reiki cheese on toast though.
Other options are available at
http://www.simonspillett.com
It may have to be September in Scarborough, cue that song.
‘September in Scarborough’ – brilliant! Sounds like the title of one of those themed compos Bob Stanley does for Ace with photos of broken down bus shelters in Bognor and suchlike on the covers. 😀
What would the subject of that comp be, I wonder?
‘September in Scarborough, 1976 – Fag-end Glam from the North East’?
Obviously, the cover photo would have to be a desolate promenade and run-down pier out of season, or an Ena Sharples-like seaside landlady standing with a shopping bag from a long-forgotten grocery store outside a clapped-out boarding house.
@colin-h
😀 An instant classic! Indeed, have you just stumbled on a withdrawn Smiths single from back in the day?