The Swingtime Big Band plus Dorothy Shaw, Piano, have been practising, in the Old Magistrates Court, for the Abingdon Arts Festival Ball .

The band plays original arrangements by Glenn Miller, Count Basie and many more stars of the Swing Era.

Just checking out their leader George Haslam on Wikipedia, and I see he is an ‘English avant-garde jazz saxophonist.‘

Born in Preston, Lancashire, he has lived longer than most of us in Abingdon Oxfordshire, where he has helped ensure that people can hear British Jazz played in Abingdon pubs and halls, and has gone on to export jazz to places like Hungary, Cuba, Argentina, and Mexico.

There are Radiohead fans who visit Abingdon and wonder why the town has not erected a fitting monument to the group who started life at Abingdon School. Here is just such a visit to Radiohead’s home town.

Two videos today … A new one recorded in the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon by Alphabet Backwards – with flowers by Fabulous Flowers .

The other a recently discovered demo CD from Radiohead’s early days at Abingdon School when they used to be called “On A Friday”.

Radiohead will be doing a stadium tour this year so I’m not sure we can book them for the Unicorn Theatre

There is no better tribute to Radiohead than that Abingdon has two guitar shops and there are good groups still starting off in Abingdon.

I see that one of Abingdon’s two guitar shops are waiting for more Ukeleles after the Christmas rush. The Ukelele has 4 strings and is easier to learn than a guitar. It is also easier to carry about, and cheaper.

On Monday 16th January, an Abindon Ukelele group will start – possibly the first ever Abingdon Ukelele group. The main aim is to play for fun.

There will be a Monday afternoon group at 2 pm and a Tuesday evening group. For more on the UK craze for Ukeleles read Ukelele sends UK crazy .

( Groups now full with a waiting list so have removed contact details for now.)

The new youtube video by local group alphabet backwards is shot in Abingdon. They often stop off for a drink at Thowing Buns – and so Throwing Buns gets featured.

The new song ‘Taller’ will be available on an EP fom 28th November 2011: CD, 7″ and Download. But for now you can watch it on youtube and see what parts of Abingdon you recognise.