Beowulf Mayfield reviews Jazz Melodica this week.

NO live review this week - I've spent the past week locked away with a new CD by the Top Brass Jazz Orchestra, directed by Watford-based Bob Wheal.

The album, Jazz Melodica, was recorded at Watford Grammar School for Boys in Rickmansworth Road on two Sunday sessions in January.

The album leaps into action with an up-tempo version of You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You, orchestrated by American arranger and film composer Lennie Niehaus, with fine trumpet solo by Ron Humphries.

The programme is a collection of favourite jazz standards chosen by the band members, which means it is something of a 'musician's' album - Duke Ellington's In A Mellow Tone and I Got It Bad and an intricate version of George Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm are highlights and Richard Rogers and Irving Berlin are similarly well-represented.

For these ears, the best moments are a saxophone-led version of One For My Baby, with lonesome muted trumpet breaks, and a rendition of Body And Soul with a long, slow, solo piano opening by Simon Ashford with a few surprise time changes when the band joins in mid-track.

Arrangements are drawn from top American composers with three pieces arranged by former band members. Overall, there is an impressive variety of mood swings, time changes and slick solos which certainly kept me interested throughout a generous 14 tracks.

The playing is razor-sharp and energetic and the sound quality clear and well-balanced, which makes it highly recommended listening for fans of big bands and a good starting point for anyone who fancies learning more about big band jazz and is unsure where to start.

Unfortunately, like so much home-grown talent, you will not find the album in the record shops. Copies will be available at the band's performances, price £9, or you can order a copy direct from Bob Wheal, telephone 01923 225143.

The band was formed by retired army major Bob in 1974 and has been rehearsing every Monday night - Christmas, bank holidays and summer holidays excepted - for 27 years.

Bob admits this is an achievement in itself because many of his regular players are professional musicians who also have to think about earning a living and, sometimes, simply cannot make it to rehearsals when they have paid gigs to play.

However, he has a pool of more than 50 musicians, with ages ranging from the early 20's to the 80's, on whom he can call to ensure a full band is always available.

Bob, 85, was bitten by the jazz bug as a schoolboy in his native Southampton and ranks Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman among his favourite musicians. He used to play clarinet and saxophone in jazz and orchestral groups but now sticks to conducting the big band and playing piano for his contemporaries at local homes.

He defines jazz as a music of freedom and protest and loves the fact that no jazz performance is ever quite the same as the last.

Here are the gigs for the week ahead:

The Campbell Burnap Quintet plays the music of 'New Orleans, Swing Street and beyond' at the Herkomer Suite, Bushey Country Club, as part of the Bushey Festival on Thursday at 8pm. Tickets are £8, available on the door or by telephoning 020 8950 2283.

Trombonist Campbell Burnap will be at PizzaExpress, Lower High Street, Watford, on Monday.

Sax player Scott Hamilton will be at PizzaExpress, Amersham, on Tuesday.

Ben Cohen's Hot Five will be at The Pump House, Local Board Road, Watford, on Thursday.

The Soundproof is at The Swan, Ley Hill, Bovingdon, every Friday playing smooth dinner jazz.

Northside Jazz Band at the Hartspring Centre, Park Avenue, North Bushey, on Sunday between noon and 2pm. Admission is £1.

The Goat, Sopwell Lane, St Albans, lunchtime jazz every Sunday.

Merlins Cave, Chalfont St Giles, Sunday lunchtime sessions with the Peter Hughes Trio and special guest sax player Ray Warleigh.

A jazz evening is held every Wednesday at the Southern Cross in Langley Road, Watford, from 8pm to 11pm. Admission is free.

The Jazz Workshop for beginners and professionals alike at the White Lion, Little Chalfont, every Monday from 8pm.

Derek Mandersis playing dinner jazz at Le Spicer, an indian cuisine restaurant, in Little Chalfont, every Wednesday.

Send details of jazz events to: Beowulf Mayfield, The Watford Observer, 124 Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD1 7JW; fax 01923 234738; e-mail: bmayfield@london.newsquest.co.uk.