Reviews and Archives

Reviews and Archives

“Chris plays a good, hot trumpet, no frills, no fuss, with attack and invention.”

Nevil Skrimshire, Editor , Jazz Journal International

The Cardiff Jazz Festival was launched in 1974 that grew in to the Welsh Jazz Festival and under the leadership of Jed Williams when he became the Director of the Welsh Jazz Society in 1981 it became the Brecon Jazz Festival.

“The Cardiff-based Chris Hodgkins Band accomplished the challenging task of accompanying Wild Bill Davison with trombonist Bob Tunnicliffe and pianist Eric Herbert turning out immaculate solos. It is as Wild Bill said ‘a hell of a good band.” Paul Keel, South Wales Echo, 15th September 1976

“Accompanied by the Chris Hodgkins Band,  Buddy Tate ……exploited the full range of the tenor, keeping a good tone in the upper register and a satin , whispering effect in the lower. In Tangerine and Sunday he punched out chorus after chorus of rhythmic  invention, never once seeming lost or uninspired. The polished Chris Hodgkins Band provided as always, confident, sensitive support for their guest with Dave “Father” Green putting in some fine solo work, especially with In A Mellow Tone.” Paul Keel, South Wales Echo, 23rd November 1976

 “Last night’s session at Chapter Arts Centre with the Cardiff based  Chris Hodgkins Band was one of pure enjoyment for both audience and musicians. Kathy Stobart has played with the band several times before and it showed in the ease with which the band knitted together. The addition of second tenor player, Mike Ludlow rounded off the line up of Chris Hodgkins, Bob Tunnicliffe (trombone),Dave Greensmith (bass), Eric Herbert (piano) and Jed Williams (drums). Kathy’s playing alternates between good , belting swing and moments of spine-tingling sensitivity. Her solo -My Ship – on soprano sax was particularly haunting, the sort of stuff that compels you to hang onto every note. Another high spot came with a duet of Kathy and Mike Ludlow on Bernie’s Tune, their different touches providing a good foil for each other. There was some fine work from the Chris Hodgkins Band who are fast building a big reputation for themselves and there were some original arrangements for the band from bassist Dave Greensmith particularly on Robbins’ Nest and Splanky.” Frances Toyne  South Wales Echo, 12th May 1977

“There are few people who combine the attributes of of talented, sensitive musician and astute, efficient and successful organiser. Chris has impressed me in both these roles over the years when I have enjoyed working with him.” Humphrey Lyttelton

Welsh Jazz Society

The Welsh Jazz Society was registered as a charity on the 17th November 1978.

Humphrey Lyttelton agreed to be president of the Welsh Jazz Society  and a rallying cry to members written by Humph on 12th January 1979 was sent to the membership. Please see the link below to the letter of Humph agreeing to be the president and his letter to the members:

Humphrey Lyttelton agreeing to be president of the Welsh Jazz Society Ltd and a rallying cry to members 12th January 1979

Humph can be heard here in terrific form with Joe Temperley and Tony Coe playing an original Humph composition that was arranged for a promotional EP  for Summer County margarine: Swinging on the Gate

The charitable objects of the Welsh Jazz Society were to promote, maintain, improve and advance education by encouraging and fostering the understanding, knowledge, appreciation and development of jazz and its associated forms of music and to formulate and establish schemes to promote these objectives.

Dill Jones had agreed to be an Honorary Patron in letter to Chris Hodgkins on 6th August 1978. The letter can be accessed via the link below: Letter from Dill Jones agreeing to be Honorary Patron of the Welsh Jazz Society on August 6th 1978  A rare chance to see and hear Dill Jones in concert with fellow Welsh musicians,Lionel Davies on double bass and Greg Evans on drums: Dill Jones in concert

The Welsh Jazz Society promoted regular  concerts the first of which was Benny Waters at Tito’s Club on Monday 6th November 1978 supported by the Russ Jones Trio featuring John Ham on Trumpet and the Chris Hodgkins Band.

The first tours featured the Ronnie Scott Quintet, Digby Fairweather, Red Rodney and Kathy Stobart

Susan da Costa

Susan da Costa steered Humphrey Lyttelton’s life as a trumpet player and band leader for the greater part of his sixty-year career. Susan was his close friend, confidant and manager. Susan started life as Humphrey’s secretary and soon gravitated to that of his personal manager on his 15 date tour of the USA in September 1959 that featured Humph’s Octet, the Ronnie Ross Jazz Makers, Thelonious Monk Quartet, Anita O’Day and the George Shearing Big Band. Susan recounts that it was her “Baptism of fire” as a manager which is a heroic understatement. A detailed account can be found in Humph’s book, Take It From The Top in the chapter titled Coals to Newcastle.

As the organiser of the Welsh Jazz Festival and then the Director of the Welsh Jazz Society with Humphrey Lyttelton as the Honorary President, it was always a pleasure to work with Susan. She was always on the ball with an immediate response by letter or invariably by phone and if Humphrey had a spare date in Wales we were the first to know. It would be fair to say that Humph’s undoubted achievements and his busy, not to say, hectic schedule were underpinned by Susan’s organisational and administrative abilities. Susan runs Humph’s record label Calligraph Records and can be contacted at http://www.calligraph-records.co.uk/

On October 20th 2019 the Jazz Centre UK was officially opened and amongst a wealth of artifacts, memorabilia, books, magazines and Archives it houses the Humphrey Lyttelton collection. Susan attended and the photo to the left is of Susan sitting at Humph’s roll top desk.

In January 2008, as a result of a three year review of a number of ACW funded organisations, the Arts Council of Wales wrote to the Welsh Jazz Society giving six months notice of its intention to withdraw Revenue funding. The letter stated that from the evidence gathered, the weight of the Society’s activity was towards being a promoter of jazz events rather than a provider of services to the jazz music sector and that it was not operating as effectively as it could in its role as a promoter. The review concluded that the Welsh Jazz Society did not address Arts Council of Wales strategic priorities and there was no clear rationale for supporting it. The Society questioned as to why the Arts Council of Wales had not previously drawn attention to any alleged lapses in service provision to the jazz music sector or provided any evidence of ineffectiveness as a promoter. The Arts Council of Wales was unable or unwilling to provide this evidence to the Society. In April the appeal was turned down and the Welsh Jazz Society made a complaint to the Public Service Ombudsman.The appeal was upheld and the Arts Council of Wales had to issue an apology. Full details are available at: http://www.complaintsinwonderland.co.uk/2012/11/arts-council-of-wales-withdraws-its-funding-for-the-welsh-jazz-society/

Chris Hodgkins, a trustee and a founder of the Welsh Jazz Society, said that the: “The Actions of the ACW display all the hallmarks of a dysfunctional organisation at large which is notable for a complete lack of planning and commitment of resources to jazz activity throughout Wales. The  National Assembly of Wales would perform an invaluable service to the taxpayer in Wales if it conducted a thorough review of the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the ACW. The organisations corporate plan is straight out of Alice in Wonderland, with an executive pay policy that appears to have come from the Royal Bank of Scotland”. Full details are available here : http://www.complaintsinwonderland.co.uk/2012/12/welsh-jazz-society-complaint-upheld-arts-council-of-wales-issues-an-apology/

“In Chris Hodgkins’s concert at the Gibbs Club there were a few vestiges of that frustrated amateur who dragged his trumpet around Cardiff bars 10 years ago drumming up local enthusiasm for jazz. He still swings of course, but in several years of playing professionally in Britain and Europe he has learned to channel his original raw energy, acquiring a versatility of style, a lot more technique and, above all a very expansive use of tone and dynamics….The menu may have been standard but it was spiced with a great deal of tonal experimentation as Hodgkins bent and flattened notes, growled soulfully into the mouthpiece and juggled with a variety of mutes (including a beret with origami cut outs). In Funk Dumplin’s he showed himself quiet capable of the brilliant arpeggios of bop but the appeal of his style lies not in virtuosity but in the steamy emotion generated by his relaxed, bluesy improvisations. Harry Edison’s Sweet Cakes was a delight, as, keeping in the lower register of the trumpet, Hodgkins growled sensuously into a Harmon mute, gradually building a passionate and menacing improvisation until it drowned out the apathetic chatter of the crowd. A chance visit by Digby Fairweather transformed the concert into something quite extraordinary. For three numbers in the final set, cornet and trumpet duelled playing marvelous, intricate passages in duet, throwing phrases challengingly from one to another, each trying to out do the others solo. Fairweather’s brilliant tone and technical bravura was complimented perfectly by Hodgkins’s more soulful musicality, and with no mean contribution from the excellent Bob Jones Trio, they treated those few of left in the Gibbs Club to one of the most exciting displays of trumpet playing ever heard in Cardiff.” Robin Lyons, South Wales Echo, 28th July 1983

Campaigns – The Case For Better Investment and Jazz on a Shoe String

In November 1993 Jazz Services published, Jazz – The Case For Better Investment. The full document can be seen at: http://www.chrishodgkins.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CaseForBetterInvestmentInJazz-Nov93.pdf

Sir John Dankworth commented on the draft  on the 19th October 1993

Sir John Dankworth’s letter to Jazz Services commenting on Jazz – The Case for Better Investment 19th October 1993

John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and Martin Speake at the Jazz on a Shoe String Campaign House of Commons June 1995 (photo credit: Adrian Macintosh). Humph and Duke Ellington

Brecon Jazz Festival 2003 – “By rushing about between events I managed to catch Chris Hodgkins’ Trio, with Max Brittain, guitar, and John Ferguson, double bass. Hodgkins is known to most professional musicians as the indefatigable Director of Jazz Services. Here he treats us to pleasant mainstream trumpet playing on “I’m Confessin’”, “Taking A Chance On Love”, “Good Morning Heartache”, “Just Friends”, “Struttin With Some Barbecue” and “Too Late Now”. Chris has a nice line in endearingly waggish wit. With but little extra polish, his mordantly funny compering skills could feature more at British jazz events.” John Robert Brown, Jazz Review, October 2003

“Dr Johnson’s House sits quietly behind the bustle of Fleet Street like a haven of calm, just the place for the live premier of Chris Hodgkins Quartet’s set of themes, co-written with Eddie Harvey, linked to events in Boswell’s Life of Johnson. Anchored by Alison Rayner’s purposeful bass lines, with guitarist Max Brittain and the saxophonist Diane McLoughlin alongside trumpeter Hodgkins, this was chamber jazz, tuneful and clever, with light-touch narration by actress Susan Sheridan. Performing on high in the garret, alongside memento’s from the likes of David Garrick and Boswell himself, the audience close at hand, the quartet was jaunty and solemn by turn, each player interlocking craftily, with McLoughlin holding the reins while Hodgkins let rip. Tailor made for the literary festival circuit, this project deserves to do well.” Peter Vacher, Jazz UK, December/January 2010/11.

Jazz and Dr Johnson at Scarborough Literature Festival

“Jazz and Dr Johnson This event was part of the Scarborough Literature Festival and proved an interesting link between jazz and literature. The evening consisted of movements from a jazz suite interspersed with readings by the actress Susan Sheridan, who had tailored various anecdotes and quotes from James Boswell’s journal that chronicled Johnson’s life.
Susan Sheridan read her parts in a conversational manner, employing a slight Scots accent for James Boswell and giving a slightly booming quality for Johnson’s ponderous tones. If her voice sounded familiar, this may be from hearing her on Radio Four, or on several audio books. She has also voiced cartoon characters on TV and played a character in the Walt Disney film The Black Cauldron. The jazz was ably played by The Chris Hodgkins Quartet. Chris had co-written the suite with Eddie Harvey with the exception of two movements, one by accomplished guitarist Max Brittain, and the other by saxophonist Diane McLoughlin. Without piano or drums, the music had an ‘open’, fleet and lively quality, revealing the double bass to be the pivotal driver of the group. Alison Rayner’s bass playing was strong and interesting throughout. Despite the eighteenth century source of the readings, the music was very much of the moment. We heard a bluesy number on which Chris Hodgkins used a plunger mute to great effect, several tunes were given a lithe, bouncy tempo and the final surprise was a calypso. Whether there was enough jazz for the jazz fans, or enough Dr Johnson for his fans, the audience seemed very pleased either way.”
 Dick Armstrong, 6th April 2011.

Chris Hodgkins and Matt Anderson live at Scarborough Jazz

“Providing a link to the Scarborough Literature Festival is now a well-established event for Scarborough Jazz, and this year involved contributions from the local Poetry Workshop. The poets seemed a straightforward, good natured group, with not one languid consumptive among them, or any eccentric clothing: I’d secretly hoped for long strings of beads tangled in crocheted shawls – at least among the men. We were treated to a well-chosen set of poems, many of them jazz related………..

Musically the evening began with two numbers from the Mike Gordon Trio. These ate into the time available for readings and excluded the two guest musicians booked for the gig. However the first number by the full band, Blue Monk, was excellent, with Matt Anderson’s persuasive and assured sax and Chris Hodgkin’s muted trumpet in wonderfully bluesy mode. Now fully warmed up, the band stopped while two poems were read. In fact, we didn’t get two consecutive musical numbers, despite several times hearing two or even three consecutive poems. Was it a case of the poetry interrupting the jazz or the other way round? The jazz we did get was very good, with a feature for each front liner. Chris Hodgkins took the seldom played Black Butterfly and reminded us of what a lovely tune it is, while Matt chose It Could Happen To You which show-cased his beautiful sound. It proved an interesting evening with something for everyone.”

Dick Armstrong, 4th April 2012

Chris Hodgkins, Dave Price and Erika Lyons at Severn Jazz 3rd February 2017

Ian Mann enjoys the music of pianist Lenore Raphael with friends Wayne Wilkinson (guitar), Chris Hodgkins (trumpet) & Alison Rayner (bass). He also takes a look at her latest album “Pizza Express Live”
Lenore Raphael and Friends, Neuadd Theatr, Christ College, Brecon, 07/11/2017.

Tonight’s performance focussed almost exclusively on the standards repertoire with most of the tunes being readily familiar to the knowledgeable jazz audience at this well attended and keenly anticipated event. Versions of several of the pieces that were played can also be heard on the “Pizza Express Live” CD.

Anyone who feared that this drummer-less ‘chamber jazz’ quartet might prove to be rather bloodless would have been pleasantly surprised. This proved to be a surprisingly vibrant and rhythmic ensemble. In a highly democratic ensemble solos were distributed evenly around the group with newcomer Rayner enjoying several moments to shine. She probably played more solos here than she does with her own excellent quintet, which visited for a memorable performance at BJC’s regular venue The Muse in June 2017.

Tonight’s performance began with Harry Warren’s tune “September In The Rain”, the piece that also opens the “Pizza Express Live” album. ……. Raphael’s comping allied to Rayner’s sturdy bass lines gave the music considerable rhythmic drive as Hodgkins switched to the open horn for his solo, followed in turn by Raphael and Rayner in this well balanced and democratic unit.

…………Acting as MC Hodgkins referred to the “band within a band” tradition as typified by Artie Shaw’s Grammercy 5 and the Benny Goodman Trio. Tonight’s “band within a band” proved to be Wilkinson playing solo guitar on a delightful – and incredibly dexterous- version of the song “The Boy Next Door” in a Wilkinson arrangement inspired by the former Goodman guitarist Johnny Smith.

Christ College had bought fully into tonight’s concert with several members of the student body in the audience and with the College’s Head of Music Jonathan Ling also in attendance. With Raphael due to conduct a master class the following day and with both Raphael and Rayner having a strong commitment to the cause of jazz education it was appropriate that one of the students, the young alto saxophonist Peter Bowen should join the trio for a version of “My Foolish Things”. Bowen’s cool alto tone was reminiscent of Paul Desmond as he and the trio delivered a fluently elegant interpretation of the song to heartfelt applause from the audience. Well done Peter, a name to watch for in the future perhaps?

………… all too soon we had reached the final number. This was the Raphael original “Blues for O.P.”, dedicated to the late, great Oscar Peterson. This proved to be a real evening’s highlight, a splendidly swinging, gospel imbued blues that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a classic Blue Note record. Raphael soloed expansively in the trio format before Hodgkins returned to deliver an ebullient trumpet solo. He was followed by Wilkinson and finally Rayner as the latter stepped out of her anchoring role.

This was an excellent evening of music making that was warmly appreciated by a reassuringly substantial audience. 

In the meantime the current live album from this same venue is recommended listening.” Ian Mann,  The Jazzmann, 8th November 2017

The full review can be found at: http://www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/lenore-raphael-friends-brecon-jazz-club-neuadd-theatr-christ-college-brecon/

Chris Hodgkins at the Wellington, Birmingham International Jazz Festival 22nd July 2017

“For many years better known as the man in charge of Jazz Services, Chris Hodgkins’ credentials as a melodic mainstream trumpeter have been increasingly evident since his retirement from that post.”  The Jazz Rag, Spring 2018

Salute To Humphrey Lyttelton, Newcastle Arts Centre, 20th November 2021

“I’ve waited all year to hear a band like this! Maybe waited all my life or at least since I first heard the Lyttelton band in Camden Town Hall – the one that had Coe, Skidmore, Temperley and Pickard alongside Humph in the front line. This band exuded the same amount of class – the ensembles were something else. What a sound! ” Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here November 2021

CD – Vic Parker At The Quebec Hotel + Chris Hodgkins + Jed Williams

“A must for mainstream/classic jazz fans” – Lance Liddle Bebop Spoken Here June 2022

The full review can be seen here

“……… it’s youthful trumpeter Chris Hodgkins who comes bright and buzzing out of the stalls”. Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal, September 2022

“The playing from Parker, who has a very distinctive guitar style, and the then Youthful Hodgkins is actually very good  and there is much to enjoy here” Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann, September 2022

CD – Festooned With Trumpets

“A delightful vignette from 2019 – well worth checking out” Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here 

The full review can be seen Here

“Festooned With trumpets” “features some excellent playing, imaginative arrangements, and a trio of engaging original compositions. It’s a worthy successor to Hodgkins’ impressive catalogue of ‘chamber jazz’ recordings and is possessed of an energy and joie de vivre that transcends the instrumental format in which it was recorded.” Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann, September 2022

“In a set of standards sprinkled with originals, the trumpet gives sidepersons Jinjin Yoo. Wayne Wilkinson and Alison Rayner plenty of space”. Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal, August 2022

CD – Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton

“It was a knockout then and no less now hearing it reprised on a studio recording……….The solos are gorgeous and not strung out over a dozen choruses – just long enough to whet your appetite for the next one. Absolutely wonderful” Lance Liddle Bebop, Spoken Here