Page 27 - Phonebox Magazine August 2007

A Journey Through Jazz
Father and Daughter from Olney go on UK tour
Following the release of Melinda’s debut Melinda was the youngest and in 1997 she poignancy”
album with her Dad’s band, the former Olney residents, Terry and Melinda Lightfoot, have had an amazing year performing at over 40 venues from the South Coast to Scotland.
The journey for the ‘Lightfeet’ started back in 1955, when Terry became Britain’s youngest band leader and appeared at such venues as London’s Festival Hall, The Cavern and The Royal Albert Hall, he even shared the bill with an up and coming band called ‘The Beatles’!
In 1965, Terry and his Jazzmen were privileged to be asked to support Louis Armstrong on his UK tour.
Terry remains at the top of his profession to this day, with Michael Parkinson
referring to him as a ‘Legend of British Jazz’. A well earned accolade!
From Café Brio to The Ritz
During the Jazz boom of the 1960s, Terry and his wife Iris brought up a family of three girls.
moved to Olney. Melinda had always loved to sing and in 2000 she performed her first professional gig at Olney’s Café Brio, accompanied by the wonderful jazz pianist John Betts.
Melinda’s singing went from strength to strength and, as well as maintaining a regular appearance at Café Brio (to this day), she has made appearances at many prestigious venues including The Ritz and London’s famous 100 Club. In 2005, she became a regular guest with Terry’s band and, in recent years, she has been accompanied by some of ‘the cream of the scene’, including John Dankworth, Kenny Ball and his Band, Roy Williams, and of course Terry.
In September 2006 Melinda, accompanied by Terry and his All Stars, released her album in a sold-out show at The Stables Theatre, Wavendon.
The following weekend, the album entitled ‘Hit Me With A Hot Note’ was played on BBC Radio 2.
“Hit Me With A Hot Note, Very Very Good!” - Michael Parkinson – BBC Radio 2.
“A really enjoyable CD, equipped with inborn Jazz know-how, plenty of bounce and
Humphrey Lyttelton – The Best of Jazz – BBC Radio 2.
“This CD is
of the highest
calibre in
song choice
and performance”. Seductive. The Musicians Union Magazine
The following months saw Melinda and Terry making many radio interviews, with the album being played on Jazz fm, Smooth fm, The Jazz and many local BBC Stations.
“It is very much a family business” Melinda says “my husband Mark has taken the ‘im’ out of impossible and has made so many things happen!”
The Lightfoot journey through Jazz continues, as Melinda and Terry Lightfoot’s All Stars return to The Stables Theatre on Friday 7th September, when the audience will be treated to the best of swinging jazz with styles made famous by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington through to Norah Jones.
A great night is assured! K
A Journey Through Jazz
For Unique Gifts Visit
The Antiques Centre at Olney
Over 80 Antiques Dealers
Antique Furniture, China, Clocks, Paintings, Jewellery, Books, Watches,
Garden Tools, Silverware,
OPEN Tuesday–Saturday: 10–5pm Sunday: 11–4pm
Dolls
Bronzes, Bears,
Osborns Court, off High Street South, Olney
(opposite Soul’s Garage)
Telephone 01234 710942 www.antiques-of-britain.co.uk
Terry Lightfoot’s All Stars featuring Melinda Lightfoot
The Stables Theatre, Wavendon Friday 7th September 2007 Box Office 01908 280800
Phonebox Magazine 27