Memories of jazz at Fairfield needed (From Streatham Guardian)

Memories of jazz in Croydon needed

11:00am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Freetime By Nick Hitchens

Croydon’s premier music and theatre venue is celebrating 50 years of show business by asking loyal punters to speak up about the jazz they have enjoyed there.

Opened on 2 November 1962 by HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Fairfield Halls has enjoyed much success over the years.

With many landmark classical, pop and rock concerts, the big names in jazz have also performed there over the past half century.

In the 60’s and 70’s, the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich all appeared at Fairfield.

To celebrate these and other jazz names appearing in Croydon, the BBC Big Band will be marking this anniversary with a concert conducted by Jiggs Whigham (former Kenton band member) and introduced by Clare Teal - to be recorded for BBC Radio 2’s Big Band Special.

Following the concert there will be a free jazz event in the Foyer Performance area to be recorded for BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line-Up, featuring live and recorded music and interviews, all reflecting Fairfield’s 50 years. Julian Joseph and Alan Barnes and his musicians take part in this event.

Jazz fans with their own personal recollections of some of the great jazz events at Fairfield can email bbcbigband@aol.com or call Fairfield Halls marketing department on 0208 603 3931 BBC Big Band, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, October 26 8pm tickets £22.50 - £12.50.

Foyer performance area concert 10.15pm, free.