Unfortunately, because of ongoing health issues, Big Jim Sullivan will not be able to lead his trio on July 7.

The replacement band, the DNA Quartet, will play the same music as the BJS Trio: ranging widely, mainly jazz and swing standards, with Django Reinhardt and Duke Ellington to the fore, and traces of Big Jim’s early career as a session musician, when he played on more than 1000 chart hits!

The quartet will include:

The remaining members of the BJS Trio, Doug Pruden – guitar and Al Stewart– sax and clarinet.

Nils Solberg, a jazz guitarist of more than 30 years’ experience, who has been a frequent colleague of all the BJS Trio members.

George Trebar, a bassist who has played in many and varied bands. He has worked with Nils Solberg.

Club night attendances continue to be very good and run above plan. Also, survey reactions are very favourable. Here are the results for the last few months:

Date / Band / Satisfaction Level

The popularity of recent evenings at the Pallant Suite comes at a price. While capacity audiences are reassuring both for those organising the club and more importantly for the musicians themselves, the disappointment associated with turning people away is one which continues to trouble us.

We are very sorry to have to close the doors on those who have taken the time and effort to be with us – many of whom have travelled significant distances. Even more regrettable is the fact that it can be members who are prevented access while guests for the evening – i.e. non-members - are already seated. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen too often – in fact, there are some club evenings when attendances are disappointing. But that’s another subject!

The Pallant Suite is licensed to hold 160 people which is a legally set maximum. CJC has no influence over this – nor does it wish to have. The Pallant Suite management team takes its health and safety responsibilities seriously and makes it clear to CJC that it should admit no more than 160 people. To help facilitate this only the absolute maximum number of chairs is set out. The problem occurs when we have a greater influx of guests than anticipated.

What can we do about it? Make events all ticket? Priority to CJC members? Find a larger room? We have considered these and other options but have decided that the ‘do nothing’ approach is the most practical. So, unless you can suggest something better, our best advice is to try to get to CJC a little earlier.

In the past we have spoken of the uncertainty of holding a summer jazz festival this year. Some of the unknowns are still present, like the outcome of this coming winter’s Chichester Jazz Project, but we have decided to put this and other distractions to one side and keep the JITC flag flying by presenting a jazz festival in early September.

The main event will be a 25-piece jazz orchestra - the Army Big Band - playing at The Venue on Friday 4 September at 8.00pm. Packed with the best jazz musicians and singers available from within the British Army, this is an exciting big band playing in a modern style while also drawing on the older big band legends such as Basie and Rich. Tickets for this event are obtainable from June onwards through the New Park Cinema Box Office on 01243 786650 or www.chichestercinema.org/ Please note the opening hours of this box office are noon to 6.00pm. Tickets sold in advance cost £15.00 (£17.50 on the night) but advance sales to CJC members are only £13.00. Some surplus proceeds from this concert will go to the much publicised charity - Help for Heroes. More information on this event will follow.

This major concert heralds a week of jazz music in Chichester featuring local musicians playing at a variety of local venues. Watch out for details.

There have been a number of drummer changes announced for this concert. We hope this will be the last!

We are delighted to confirm that Spike Wells will now be able to make the gig.

As announced at CJC last week, the Chichester Ship Canal are delighted to confirm their 'Rhythm and Cruise' trip schedule for summer 2009.

These evening trips will sail at 6.30pm until 8.00pm on Friday evenings from April through to September and are a new venture for the Society.

Confirmed dates are:

24 April - Sylvia McEwan Duo

22 May - Chris Paradine/David Brown Duo

19 June - Sylvia McEwan Duo

17 July - Folk music

14 August - Chris Paradine/David Brown Duo

11 September - Milton James Duo

For more details contact the Society on 01243 377405. Price concessions are available for CJC members.