Jazz and Dr Johnson
Chrisâ most ambitious project to date is the album âBoswellâs London Journalâ, a suite of 15 tunes co-composed by Chris Hodgkins and Eddie Harvey (who also did the arrangements). James Boswell, best known as the biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson, kept a daily diary between the years 1762 and 1763. This account of a very different London to today, as seen through the eyes of a 22 year old Scot, provides the inspiration for the album.
âBoswellâs London Journalâ includes a piece entitled London, evoking Boswellâs arrival at Highgate Hill and his first view of the capital city. The Meeting commemorates Boswellâs not entirely successful first encounter with Dr Johnson on 16 May 1763. Friendship flourished however, and âHigh Exultationâ documents the evening of 25 June 1763 on which Boswell and Dr Johnson wine, dine and discuss such things as ghosts, poetry, fathers and sons, and going abroad; Boswell retiring home âin high exultationâ. âGreenwich Excursionâ was inspired by Boswell and Johnsonâs boat trip down the Thames to Greenwich; âMost Miserably Melancholyâ charts one of the authorâs recurring bouts of depression. Boswellâs London Journal offers an emotionally charged landscape that amply illustrates the human condition, from the low and the vulgar to profound conversations with Samuel Johnson; the real-life incidents in the London Journal offered the composers a wealth of rich material for the albumâs 15 original tunes.
The album has been turned into a show Jazz and Dr Johnson. Sue Sheridan has written the script. The evening consisted of movements from a jazz suite interspersed with readings by the actress Susan Sheridan, who had tailored various anecdotes and quotes from James Boswellâs journal that chronicled Johnsonâs life.
Reviews
On the premier of Jazz and Dr Johnson at Dr Johnsonâs House, 17 Gough Square, London:
âA beautifully conceived suite, beautifully executed and so marvellous to hear itâ.
James Hogg October 2010
âDr Johnsonâs House sits quietly behind the bustle of Fleet Street like a haven of calm, just the place for the live premier of Chris Hodgkins Quartetâs set of themes, co-written with Eddie Harvey, linked to events in Boswellâs Life of Johnson.
“Anchored by Alison Raynerâs purposeful bass lines, with guitarist Max Brittain and the saxophonist Diane McLoughlin alongside trumpeter Hodgkins, this was chamber jazz, tuneful and clever, with light-touch narration by actress Susan Sheridan. Performing on high in the garret, alongside mementoes from the likes of David Garrick and Boswell himself, the audience close at hand, the quartet was jaunty and solemn by turn, each player interlocking craftily, with McLoughlin holding the reins while Hodgkins let rip. Tailor made for the literary festival circuit, this project deserves to do wellâ.
Peter Vacher Jazz UK December/January 2010/11
Jazz and Dr Johnson at Scarborough Literature Festival
âJazz and Dr Johnson This event was part of the Scarborough Literature Festival and proved an interesting link between jazz and literature. The evening consisted of movements from a jazz suite interspersed with readings by the actress Susan Sheridan, who had tailored various anecdotes and quotes from James Boswellâs journal that chronicled Johnsonâs life.
“Susan Sheridan read her parts in a conversational manner, employing a slight Scots accent for James Boswell and giving a slightly booming quality for Johnsonâs ponderous tones. If her voice sounded familiar, this may be from hearing her on Radio Four, or on several audio books. She has also voiced cartoon characters on TV and played a character in the Walt Disney film The Black Cauldron.
“The jazz was ably played by The Chris Hodgkins Quartet. Chris had co-written the suite with Eddie Harvey with the exception of two movements, one by accomplished guitarist Max Brittain, and the other by saxophonist Diane McLoughlin. Without piano or drums, the music had an âopenâ, fleet and lively quality, revealing the double bass to be the pivotal driver of the group. Alison Raynerâs bass playing was strong and interesting throughout. Despite the eighteenth century source of the readings, the music was very much of the moment. We heard a bluesy number on which Chris Hodgkins used a plunger mute to great effect, several tunes were given a lithe, bouncy tempo and the final surprise was a calypso. Whether there was enough jazz for the jazz fans, or enough Dr Johnson for his fans, the audience seemed very pleased either wayâ.
6th April 2011 by Dick Armstrong
You can hear Jazz and Dr Johnson with Sue Sheridan live at Scarborough Literature Festival by clicking on the links below:
Jazz and Dr Johnson Part one Scarborough Literature Festival 2011
Jazz and Dr Johnson Part two Scarborough Literature Festival 2011
William Hodgkins Poetry Project
Chrisâs father, a Congregational Minister published a couple of volumes of poetry and Chris is currently raising funds to set the poetry to music and record it. Involved in the project ae Max Brittain, Juliet Kelly, Alison Rayner, Diane McLoughlin and Sue Sheridan.
Vic Parker
Chris played with guitarist Vic Parker. âHe was born in Cardiff, played in London before and during the war. In 1940 he worked at the Embassy Club in Bond Street playing accordion and double bass with Don Marino Barreto. He can be seen in Barreto’s band during a nightclub sequence in the musical film Under Your Hat. He came back to Cardiff and I used to work with him in the Quebec every Monday and Wednesday. We had a little duo, just playing standards, and he would sing in a Cardiff accent. When you’re young, you forget so much. You can be handed the keys to the kingdom and you don’t notice. Working with Vic was like that: he was in his late 60s then, one of the nicest guys you could meet.â
A full biography from Val Wilmer of guitarist Vic Parker (1910-1978) is available at the Oxford Dictionary Of National Biography at http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/75564
Chris is working with Humie Webbe on this project http://www.radiocardiff.org/humiewebbe.html