JAZZ: Beowulf Mayfield visited Aldenham this week to hear Mike Ellis and his seven-piece band

A couple of weeks ago I was wondering where all the local jazz fans were. Well, the other day I found 63 of you out at Aldenham Golf and Country Club listening to the Mike Ellis Jazz and Swing Band.

Radlett-based trumpet player Mike has been carving out a reputation with his club night on the first Tuesday of every month at Aldenham.

The seven-piece band, with extra vocals from US-born vocalist Jayne Sylvester, played an impressive range of Dixieland and swing numbers, many arranged by Humphrey Lyttelton band trombonist Pete Strange.

In the first set, traditional standards such as High Society, Tin Roof Blues and King Oliver's Snag It rubbed shoulders with Glen Miller's Little Brown Jug, I Want To Be Like You and Duke Ellington's Satin Doll.

Front-liners Mike Ellis on trumpet and occasional flugelhorn, Clive Pitney on saxophones and clarinet and Simon Wyld on trombone were razor-sharp in ensemble passages and dazzled as soloists. Numbers were generally short with solos confined to a chorus or two - which put a lot of pressure on players to make every note count.

Rhythm players David Kellard on double bass, his brother, Colin, on guitar and banjo and Martin Hart on drums provided solid support throughout. Sadly, keyboard player David Jones had his speaker volume set far too low and his playing was completely drowned in ensemble passages and his occasional solos were difficult to hear and follow properly.

Vocalist Jayne Sylvester, originally from Syracuse, New York State, sparkled on standards such as That Old Devil Called Love, Satin Doll and Bye Bye Blackbird. However, the highlight of her vocal contributions, to these ears at any rate, was a brilliantly smoochy rendition of the ballad Willow Weep For Me in the second set, on which she was accompanied by just the rhythm section and Clive Pitney playing blustering tenor saxophone fills pleasantly reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins.

Mike's trumpet playing really shone in a strutting rendition of Jazz Me Blues which revealed an influence of Bix Beiderbecke and provided Clive Pitney with an opportunity for some cheeky clarinet glissandos.

Overall, this was an excellent night by a marvellous band. This monthly fixture is highly recomended for all lovers of early jazz and swing - the next date will be on Monday, September 4.

Here are the gigs for the week ahead:

The Soundproof is at The Swan, Ley Hill, Bovingdon, every Friday playing smooth dinner jazz.

Northside Jazz Band at the Hartspring Centre, Park Avenue, north Bushey, on Sunday between 12 and 2pm. Admission is £1.50.

The Goat, Sopwell Lane, St Albans, lunchtime jazz every Sunday.

Merlins Cave, Chalfont St Giles, Sunday lunchtime sessions with the Peter Hughes Trio and guest guitarist Gary Potter.

The Morellos will be playing swinging 'Hot Club' style jazz at PizzaExpress, Watford, on Monday, from 8pm. Cover charge £3.

The Jazz Workshop for beginners and professionals alike at the White Lion, Little Chalfont, every Monday from 8pm.

Saxophone and clarinet player Ron Drake, violinist Mike Piggot and guitarist John Coverdale are playing at PizzaExpress in Amersham, on Tuesday, 8pm to 10.30pm, cover charge £3.

Ian Harrison leads a piano duo at PizzaExpress, Berkhamsted, on Tuesday, from 7.30pm.

The Jeff Clark Trio plays at the Dumbell, Shire Lane, Chalfont Common, on Wednesday nights from 8.30pm. Admission is free.

A jazz evening is held every Wednesday at the Southern Cross in Langley Road, Watford, from 8pm to 11pm. Admission is free.

Derek Manders is playing dinner jazz at Le Spicer in Little Chalfont, every Wednesday.

Send details of jazz events - and your top five jazz tracks - to: Beowulf Mayfield, The Watford Observer, 124 Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD1 7JW; fax 01923 234738; e-mail: bmayfield@london.newsquest.co.uk.