Luckily it’s hosted by two blokes who know all about jazz. One is that worshipper of the Coltrane spirit, Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s, Wah Wah Live, Toon and much more) and the other Hugo Mendez (Jazzman, Impossible Ark Records and Soundway). With special guests and a live jazz jam session from the house band of budding young stars it’s a must.

Not only that, but in the modern all-inclusive bid to create and support new unfound talent among the masses, it’s a chance to DJ your own top ten jazz cuts at Favourite Things. All you have to do is email Dom your selections and he’ll do the rest (see details below). That’s what I did and was managed to get on the bill.

It was a great experience and even though the equipment is more hi-tech than I’m used to, I think I got away with it. Of course, anyone’s top ten could change from one day to another but I think all the tracks on my list have stood the test of time in many respects. And you can’t expect Hectic to stick to the rules so I slipped in some ‘unauthorised’ freestyle selections.

The main guys in the House band each week are Graham Silbiger (Bass) Roy Mystri (Drums) Jake Telford (saxes/Flute) Jessica Lauren (Keys) and there’s Free Entry for musicians that bring thier own instrument.

Impressively, Roy spotted the Robin Jones’ version of ‘Manteca’ as he was a student of the great conguero (like Snowboy) and Hugo spotted Graham Collier’s ‘The Hackney Five’. Not only that, Riaan Vosloo then turned up. You’ll recall he is a member of the Nostalgia 77 Octet and note there’s a Wah Wah 45s link with the band, see Ben Lamdin interview). From what Hugo was telling me, it sounds like Impossible Ark Records are ready to take 2007 by the scruff of its young modal jazz neck and FLY is keen to follow its progress since the launch late last year.

As another of Dom’s night, Wah Wah Live has established itself at Cargo on Fridays, you can now start both the weekend and the week with the non-stop Mr. Servini. So every Monday from now on, get down to Camden Town and check of some of other people’s “favorite things”.

Also on Fly at Proud — Rio Rox & Daniel Haaksman

Hectic’s Ten Favourite Things:
Miles Davis — So What
Dwight Trible — John Coltrane
Horace Silver — Song For My Father
Jimmy Smith — I’ve Got A Woman
Bobby McFerrin — Moondance
Freddie Hubbard — Little Sunflower
Build An Ark — The Stars Are Singing Too
Nostalgia 77 Octet — Desert Fairy Princess
Richie Cole/Eddie Jefferson — New York Afternoon
Cal Tjader — Soul Sauce

Links:
At Proud www.proud.co.uk
Every Monday from 8 January — Favourite Things. A night that brings together jazz buffs, jazz virgins, jazz musicians and DJ’s
Where: AT PROUD, STABLES MARKET, CHALK FARM ROAD, LONDON NW1 8AH
TICKETS: £5 on the door TIME: 7.00pm - 1.00am
www.wahwah45s.com
Graham Collier — Charles River Fragments (Jazz Print) “One of the great frescoes of modern jazz” — Phillipe Renaud, Improjazz.
Lyrics but not the greatest version of ‘FAVOURITE THINGS’
www.soundwayrecords.com
www.nostalgia77.com
www.myspace.com/nostalgia77