Our book ‘The Jazz Steps Story’ is now available at our gig venues or by post. With 150 pages and almost 200 illustrations, it covers the workings and evolution of Jazz Steps since its inception in 1997. azz Steps have promoted around 900 gigs of top quality contemporary jazz.
Our book celebrates the antecedents to Jazz Steps with a chapter on recollections about the vibrant Nottingham jazz scene in the 1950s and onwards. All sections are written by those most closely involved in the action. For instance, our long-serving sound engineer Tim has a chapter on what’s involved in his ‘imperceptible art’; i.e. miking up the instruments and expertly balancing the sound throughout the performance to help ensure the audience feel fully engaged with the improvised music – and keeping the band happy too via sound monitors and levels.
Stan Tracy graces the front cover in recognition that he and his septet gave the first gig at the Bonington in 1997. And Camilla George features to signal that her quartet appeared over two decades afterwards – a reminder of the continuing rich diversity of music and the wealth of emerging new talent that we have been delighted to host.
With a foreword (and poem) by local hero, novelist John Harvey, the chapters cover: 1 Beginnings, 2 Recollections, 3 Jazz Steps to Bonington, 4 The bigger picture, 5 Putting on a show, 6 Live at the Libraries, 7 Jazz education and awareness 8 Searching and researching.
Producing this book has been a significant collaborative effort involving contributions from volunteers, audience members, musicians, service providers and venue staff. Editing and design by Frank Knowles.
This is a Limited 1st Edition print run – so get your copy now at one of our gigs for just £15!
If you wish to order one to be posted, please email [javascript protected email address] with your request and any questions and we will respond via email. We accept payment by bank transfer. Postage and Packaging is extra and will be confirmed on order.
Jazz Steps brings high quality, entertaining contemporary jazz to audiences in Nottingham at the excellent Bonington Theatre venue in Arnold.
And, through our Jazz Steps Live at the Libraries monthly events - a collaboration with Inspire, we promote gigs at their library venues in Beeston, Worksop and West Bridgford.
As a not-for-profit volunteer-run promoter, we have been welcoming enthusiastic audiences to enjoy live music from top musicians and bands for over 25 years. Each and every gig is a unique experience - jazz being the quintessential 'music of surprise'! Let’s keep enjoying it – see you soon!
