Derek JamesThey gather at a popular public house just outside Norwich twice a month….and they have done for many years.If it's the second or fourth Thursday in the month then members of this little-known society will be meeting up to discuss a common interest.Derek James

They gather at a popular public house just outside Norwich twice a month….and they have done for many years.

If it's the second or fourth Thursday in the month then members of this little-known society will be meeting up to discuss a common interest.

And that's jazz and blues.

Today I would like to introduce you to the members of the Norwich Jazz and Blues Record Society who would love to attract some more members.

They are sure there are people around who share an interest in this kind of music but don't even know the society exists.

Well, it has been around in one form or another in Norwich since the 1940s, along before the days of skiffle and then rock 'n' roll.

From New Orleans to New Sounds - every type of recorded jazz is heard on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the White Horse in Trowse.

This music is timeless.

The present society was formed in 1984 by the late Arthur Badrock and Bryan Land, two men who did so much to promote and encourage interest in all forms of jazz, and since then the group has presented an unbroken sequence of fortnightly recitals on jazz, swing, blues and related music.

Bryan was 'Mr Jazz' in Norwich for many years organising gigs and selling records and helping to promote the style of music he loved with such a passion.

And he also launched the old house magazine Spinner all about the Norfolk jazz scene…and further afield.

In Norwich of 2010 the society would love to encourage some new younger members to share their love of jazz and blues in all its shapes and forms. Jazz (old and new), swing, blues and the rest.

Music trend come and go…and then there is jazz. It's the kind of music you grow into it and learn to appreciate.

As Norwich-based radio presenter Paul 'pip-pip' Barnes says - it's music for grown-ups, so why not make it a date and tune in for his show on BBC Radio Norfolk from 11pm on a Saturday night, just to put you in the mood.

Norwich Jazz and Blues Record Society meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at Trowse White Horse at 8pm. Turn up for a warm welcome or for more details call Jerry Brown on 01603 467777 or John Bailey on 01603 432099.

2010 highlights

N.O. Revival - the First 25 Years

Bill Frisell - A Brief Overview

Ladies at The Keyboard

The Hot Record Society Sessions

Looking Forward to NJP 2010

Brecker, Vandermark, Hobbs & Haden.

Did You Know?

On this day in 1568 the death sentence was passed on an entire country when Netherlands was condemned for heresy by the Spanish Inquisition.

On this day in 1659 a new way of paying money without using coinage or a letter of credit was used in England when Nicholas Vanacker signed a 'cheque' to a creditor. British bankers hoped this would help us catch up with the more sophisticated techniques of paying for goods already in use in Italy.

On this day in Norfolk of 1816 there was widespread flooding along the coast from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth with homes and warehouses being flooded out.

On this day in 1939 long queues formed outside shops in America when nylon stockings went on sale for the first time. The adverts declared: 'These stockings are just too good to be true.' The nylon toothbrush went on sale the following year.

On this day in 1940 HMS Cossack rescued more than 300 British prisoners from the German ship Altmark when it ran aground in Norwegian waters.

On this day 1959 Fidel Castro, aged 32, became Prime Minister of Cuba after overthrowing the regime of Fulgencio Batista.

On this day in 1990 Royal Navy wives marched through Plymouth and Portsmouth to oppose a Ministry of Defence decision to allow Wrens to go to sea.