The tale of British Jazz music over the 20 years from the end of the Second World War. Told by the 9 musicians interviewed over the last 12 years, who were lucky enough to be there at the time. The likes of Chris Barber (band leader and trombonist), John Critchinson (Ronnie Scott’s pianist), Paul Jones (the singer in Manfred Mann), Don Rendell (John Dankworth’s tenor saxophonist), Wally Houser (Ronnie’s Club solicitor), Harold Pendleton (The Marquee Club owner/Reading & Leeds Festival founder).
The UK at its hardest up about to live it up as best it can! Bringing to life the boom of the traditional jazz revival, the first British popular music. Telling the story of the birth of British modern jazz. Providing an entire chapter on the London jazz clubs that are no more. Illustrating the early negotiations in New York that led to the touring in the US of British jazz groups, and the return of Americans to the UK during the MU/AFM trade dispute. The jazz that in turn led to GB’s rhythm and blues and the break-out from that.
Matt Haskins has worked in Music Education Delivery, Music Business Management and Office Administration, as well as being a musician, in Jazz and Rock music, that started when he was 17.
In July 2004, he successfully completed a 4-year BMus (Hons) Jazz Performance Degree as a mature student and parent. This was undertaken at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, London.
He started writing in 2012 and did a Creative Writing Course at the Bishopsgate Institute, London in 2014.