Natty Bo presents Killer Dillers - Sat 29 Nov

Natty Bo's Killer Dillers club night returns to central London for a second outing on Saturday 29th November. This time the venue is Guy's Bar near London Bridge - another club owned by The King's College Student Union, so expect the same super cheap drinks prices. Natty tells me this venue is more intimate and more atmospheric than Tutu's, though I'm not sure whether this one has a view of the river.

Musically you can expect another phenomenal night of 78rpms from Natty and Count Sizzle covering blues, jazz, swing, calypso, mento and Latin sounds so don't miss out!

Killer Dillers (part 2) @ Guy's Bar
St. Thomas Street (through courtyard), London Bridge, SE1 9RT
9pm - 2.30am
£5 admission

DJs battle all weekend - 21st & 22nd November

Maybe it's something about the cold winter air that makes us DJs feel all competitive, but the last ever Wheelie Bag Clash took place last Sunday at the 100 Club and now there are two more clashes to look forward to this coming weekend!

First of all is The Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash on Friday 21st November in Clapton. I am taking part in this myself and would love to see some of you down there. It's hotting up to be quite a night so make sure you bring your whistles and make some noise! For full details see my previous blog post here.

Then on Saturday 22nd November some of the biggest revival reggae DJs in London are gathering to clash in Dalston. Names include Gladdy Wax, Tiny T and Asher G (The Rocksteady Daddy). One things for sure, this will be quite a contest with some amazing tunes being showcased. Especially as the winner will walk away with £1000 (the winner of the Sagaboys Clash just gets a trophy!)

Details as follows:

I Remember That! (clash and dance) @ Bar 512
Saturday 22nd November 2008
512 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AE
10pm - 5am
admission: £7

URGENT - Ronnie Scott's night CANCELLED - 15 Nov

I am extremely sorry to announce that just half an hour ago I received a phone call telling me the management of Ronnie Scott's have cancelled my night there tomorrow (15 Nov). Apparently they double booked the venue and forgot to tell the promoters and DJs until this evening! Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this decision.

As you can imagine, I am shocked and upset by this. In seven years DJing and promoting this has never happened to me before and I would never have expected a world-famous venue like Ronnie Scott's to display this level of unprofessionalism.

All I can do is offer my sincerest apologies to you all. Especially for the unbelievably short notice. If I had any idea this could have happened I would never have arranged the night there.

Not only has this messed up my weekend and wasted many hours of my time spent in promoting and preparing the night, but around 150 people have also had their weekends messed up including people who were going to celebrate their birthday there and some who had planned to travel from outside London like those from Brighton & Hove and even the Midlands. I really hope this hasn't put anyone out of pocket.

Please could I ask you to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be planning on attending tomorrow night? I would really hate for anyone to waste their time and money travelling down there.

I can only apologise again and assure you I will do everything in my power to never allow this to happen again at any venue I DJ at in the future.

Thank you for the music

More sad news today. I was shocked to read of the death of legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba - also known as Mama Afrika.

You can read the story here: www.miriammakeba.co.za

This comes just days after the death of Byron Lee whose band The Dragonaires were responsible for some of the finest ska, rocksteady, calypso and reggae recordings of the 1960s.

Despite the joy the news of Barack Obama being elected the first black president of the United States has brought to the world, this is a sad time as we have lost so many inspiring musical heroes during the last few weeks, including one of my all time favourite singers - Alton Ellis.

Read more about the passing of Alton Ellis, Byron Lee and other Jamaican greats here

Other legends who have just recently passed away are Levi Stubbs (lead singer of The Four Tops), Dee Dee Warwick (soul singer and sister of Dionne Warwick) and Andrew "Mike" Terry (Funk Brother and Detroit saxophonist who played on so many of the great 60s soul tunes).

This coming weekend I am playing Right On! sets at The Vibe Bar and Ronnie Scott's and am dedicating the sessions to the memory of all these wonderful singers and musicians. I will be paying tribute by playing many of their fantastic and life-affirming recordings. Their music will live forever.

Jean-Paul enters DJ Clash - Fri 21 Nov

I'm taking part in the the 2nd Annual Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash on Friday 21st November 2008 and need your support. Admission is free so come down and cheer me on! Last year I came second out of twelve DJs, losing only to Daddee Samson. I'd never taken part in a clash before so wasn't quite sure what to expect, but this year I am fully prepared and want to win the cup from him!

Crowd response plays a big part in judging the DJs, so the more people who come down and clap and cheer for me the better.

The Sagaboys are one of Europe's leading Soca crews and they have many talented soca and reggae DJs amongst them. The music played at this clash is primarily soca and reggae, though there should also be a freestyle round where anything goes (soul, funk, rare groove, etc.)

Like last year, I will be representing the foundations of these genres with my collection of rare calypso, mento, rocksteady and early reggae on original vinyl. If you love this music then please come along. You'll hear some great tunes and be supporting one of the few DJs in London playing old-school calypso to the masses.

You'll also hear some fantastic music courtesy of Daddee Samson, Lady Heartbeat and others, who will certainly be putting up quite a fight.

Details as follows:

The 2nd Annual Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash
Friday 21st November 2008
@ Sam Uhriah House
136 - 142 Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0QJ
9pm - 2am
FREE entry

Defending the 2007 cup: Daddee Samson

Registered contestants so far: Jean-Paul Séculaire (Right On!), Junior Passion (Klimax Radio), Musik Lover, Paradise Vibes, Zigzag, Nexus, DJ Serenity (Klimax Radio), Lady Heartbeat

MC for the night: Sagaboy Phil Fingarz (Tempo Radio)

You can hear the radio jingle on my MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/rightonclub

Right On! weekend - 14-15 November - Vibe Bar & Ronnie Scott's

I'm extremely sorry to announce that I just received a phone call telling me the management of Ronnie Scott's have cancelled my night there tomorrow (15 Nov). Apparently they double booked the venue and forgot to tell the promoters and DJs until this evening! Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this decision.

All I can do is offer my sincerest apologies to you all. Especially for the unbelievably short notice. If I had any idea this could have happened I would never have arranged the night there.

Not only has this messed up my night and wasted many hours of my time spent in promoting and preparing it, but another 100 or more people have also had their Saturday night messed up including people who were going to celebrate their birthday there and some who had planned to travel from outside of London.

Please could I ask you to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be planning on attending tomorrow night? I would really hate for anyone to waste their time and money travelling down there.

I can only apologise again and assure you I will do everything in my power to never allow this to happen again at any venue I DJ at in the future.

Fortunately tonight (Friday the 14th November) is still happening, so come down to Chick-A-Boom at The Vibe Bar to hear me and Mistah Brown plus special guest Andy Smith (Portishead, Jazz Cafe, Lost & Found, Document, etc.). We'll be playing plenty of ska, reggae, Northern soul and rockin' rhythm & blues.

Chick-A-Boom @ The Vibe Bar
Friday 14th November
The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
8pm - 1am. £5 (NB. over 21s only)

New club night from Natty Bo - Sat 25 Oct

Natty Bo - resident at Gaz's Rockin' Blues club and one of my favourite DJs - is hosting a new night called Killer Dillers this coming Saturday 25th October.

Along with DJ Count Sizzle and guests, this is to be a night of "hot music from the 1920s-1950s" all played on 78rpm records. Think jump blues, calypso, mento, hot jazz, swing, cumbia, etc.

The action takes place at KCLSU (King's College London Student Union) and, being a student venue, drinks are super cheap (beer from £1.50, £2 for a vodka). Even better is the fact the night runs til 4am.

Details as follows:

Killer Dillers @ KCLSU (Macadam Building)
Saturday 25 October
10.30pm - 4am. £5 on the door
Surrey Street, London, WC2R 2NS (nearest tube: Temple)

R&B allnighter with Big Joe Louis live - Sat 18 Oct

Blues and r&b fans, don't miss this! On Saturday 18th October I will be DJing at a Rhythm & Blues allnighter at The Hootananny in Brixton alongside a live set from the fantastic Big Joe Louis - one of Britain's greatest blues voices.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Big Joe Louis has lived in Britain since the 1980s and has been twice voted "Best UK Male Blues Vocalist". His band The Blues Kings are widely considered one of the best in the UK.

As well as recording with David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Van Morrison, Big Joe Louis has played with artists such as: Lazy Lester, R L Burnside, Big Jack Johnson, Homesick James, Louisiana Red, Big Bad Smitty and Big Lucky Carter to name but a few.

His albums for Blue Horizon and Ace Records are highly acclaimed and his latest dancefloor 45 "Go Go Train" has won him popularity on the mod scene.

You can expect a rockin' dancefloor set from Big Joe Louis to get you on your dancing feet and I'll be keeping the vibe going before and after with some killer diller 50s and 60s r&b and soul platters as well as some ska thrown in for good measure.

To top it all off, admission to this night is absolutely free. But arrive early to guarantee admission!

Full details as follows:

Right On! Rhythm & Blues Allnighter @ Hootananny Brixton
Saturday 18th October. 10pm - 4am
95 Effra Road, London, SW2 1DF. (020) 7737 7273
(nearest tube: Brixton)
Admission FREE

For more information about Big Joe Louis and to listen to some of his music visit myspace.com/bigjoelouis

Roy Shirley memorial concert - 30 Aug

The friends and family of rocksteady legend Roy Shirley are hosting a memorial concert on Saturday 30th August.

Artists paying their respects on the night include: Derrick Morgan, Owen Gray, Winston Francis, Dennis Alcapone, BB Seaton, Earl Sixteen and Lloyd Brown.

There will also be radio DJs and sound system operators spinning reggae classics.

Doors open from 8pm til very late and the show begins at midnight. Admission is just £10 with all proceeds going to the Roy Shirley Foundation.

The Roy Shirley Memorial
@ The Silent Whispers Club
21-23 Sedgwick Street, Homerton, Hackney, E9 6AA
30th August 2008. From 8pm
£10

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's - 6 September

After running successfully every Friday for more than 6 months, Walking In Rhythm is to relaunch as a weekly Saturday session upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Club on the 6th September.

Thanks to two fantastic nights earlier in the year, I have been asked back by resident DJ Jimbo to join him on the decks again at the relaunch party and will be playing another three hour Right On! style set - which means nothing but the finest vintage black dance music on original vinyl.

Expect to hear plenty of soul, rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, ska, reggae and boogaloo plus a touch of samba, mambo, calypso and other exciting sounds from myself and Jimbo.

This will be a unique night in one of the coolest venues in London (see photo) - reminiscent of the days when Right On! ran down the road in Chinatown.

And to guarantee a great crowd, I have been given an unlimited free guestlist for all my contacts. So, if you would like to come along without having to pay a penny, just drop me an email ASAP to paul@right-on.org with the full names of anyone thinking of coming along.

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (upstairs bar)
47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT (opposite Bar Italia)
Saturday 6th September
9pm - 3am

To find out more about Ronnie Scott's Club visit their website:
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Burlesque Social Club launch party - Sat 26 July

Chaz Royale (aka Chaz Royal) - the man behind the excellent annual London Burlesque Festival - is launching a new night called The London Burlesque Social Club which will take place at two locations each month. Taking place on the last Saturday of each month at The Apothecary in King's Cross and the first Thursday of each month at Madame Jojo's in Soho, this new night will showcase the best in Bawdy Burlesque, Cabaret & Vaudeville - locally & from abroad.

Every month the Social Club promises a rotating cast of Burlesque Strip Teasers, Variety & Novelty Acts, Slap Stick Comedians, Hilarious Hosts & Hot DJs playing vintage sounds to rock the dancefloor until the early hours. I have been invited to do a guest DJ spot at the launch party on 26th July at The Apothecary and am really looking forward to it. Especially as visiting American burlesque artiste Sienna Sinclaire will be putting on an exclusive performance. Details as follows:

Date: Saturday July 26th
Venue: The Apothecary
Location: 3 Vale Royal, N7 9AP (next to the Egg Club)
Nearest tube: King's Cross
Doors: 9pm - 3am (show 10pm - 1am)
Price: £15.00

Good news is that I have been offered a '2-4-1' concession for all my readers. This means that two people can go along for just £15 (instead of £15 each).

To take advantage of this great offer, just email your full name to chazroyal@hotmail.com mentioning my name: Jean-Paul Séculaire.

NOTE: Offer expires on 25th July at 12 Noon.

For more info about the Burlesque Social Club (including full line-ups) vist: www.myspace.com/londonburlesque

Magic Theatre @ The Bloomsbury Ballroom - 19 Jul

I mentioned the launch of the Magic Theatre club back in November 2007. Well, they are about to hold their 4th event on Saturday 19th July and are moving from the Rivoli to the amazing looking Bloomsbury Ballroom in central London. Venues don't come much more exclusive than this!

The idea behind the Magic Theatre is to create a "magical event in London for whoever you are and whoever you want to be". The Bloomsbury Ballroom has been chosen for its "sumptiously exotic interior [...] the perfect place to make a grand entrance [...] in all your finery against the dramatic backdrop of La Belle Epoque".

Of course no ball would be complete without dancing, and to that end there will be vintage sounds from DJ Nick Hollywood (Club Montepulciano) and 60s-influenced live band The She-Creatures.

Tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the door and the event runs from 8pm-3am.

For more info visit: www.magic-theatre.co.uk

Gladdy Wax @ Chick-A-Boom! - Fri 11 July

Jamaican sound system legend Gladdy Wax joins me and Mistah Brown at Chick-A-Boom! this Friday. Last time I DJ'd alongside Gladdy was at Right On! in September 2006, so I'm thrilled to have him back on the decks with me for some soul, funk, rhythm & blues and of course not forgetting the scorching ska!

Chick-A-Boom! @ The Vibe Bar (upstairs)
The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1
(nearest tube/train: Liverpool Street)
Friday 11th July
8pm - 1am
£4

The Five Aces live - Sat 5th July

Glasgow's finest Rhythm & Soul group, The Five Aces, will be playing a rare London gig on Saturday 5th July at The Hootananny in Brixton.

The Hootananny Brixton is a new live music venue which has a programme of gigs covering ska, soul, funk and jazz.

The Five Aces (and their other incarnation, The Bottleneckers) are a great band, so I'm chuffed that I've been asked to DJ at this night. I DJ'd for them once before a few years ago at an open-air gig in Italy, but they went by the name of The Boogaloo Investigators at that time.

Doors open at 8pm with DJs from the Pigsnoots club warming things up. The band will be on at around 10pm and then I'll be on afterwards spinning a two hour set of 50s and 60s r&b and soul. The Pigsnoots DJs will take over again until 4am to finish off the night.

Like most of the Hootananny's gigs, admission to this night is free, and knowing The Five Aces I expect this to be a real jumping jamboree, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes!

If you're not familiar with the band, you can listen to some of their music on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/thefiveaces

The Hootananny is located at:
95 Effra Road (corner of Brixton Water Lane), SW2 1DF

For more information about the venue visit: www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk

The Shingaling Thing club returns - 19th July

Two of my favourite DJs, Mark Ellis and Will Bourton, are relaunching their much-missed London club night - It's A Shingaling Thing! - at The Apple Tree pub on Saturday 19th July.

The Shingaling Thing at The Net Bar on Hanway Street was one of my favourite club nights because, quite simply, nowhere else played the same sort of quality jazz and Latin tunes. Amazingly it's been around 5 years since the last one, though in that time both Mark and Will have been busy DJing at other nights, such as my Home Cookin' jazz session.

Mark and Will are joined for this relaunch by special guests French Fred and Jo Sadler (both of whom guested at the club back in the day), so expect a top-notch mix of dancefloor jazz, Latin boogaloo, R&B, 60s soul and reggae.

The Apple Tree is found at: 45 Mount Pleasant, London, WC1X 0AE

Admission to the night is free and it runs from "8 til late".

Gene Drayton Unit live @ The 100 Club - 19th July

Arguably London's most popular Hammond combo, The Gene Drayton Unit (GDU) are set to return to The 100 Club for a live gig on Saturday 19th July.

The GDU are one of those bands that not only sound good, but are a real treat to watch perform too. The atmosphere at their 100 Club gigs is always electric and it's a real pleasure to watch them work the audience up into a frenzy. Sax player Mark Norton in particular always impresses with his dancing.

Their catchy club sound is a blend of 60s soul, jazz, funk, blues and even 60s pop and garage punk.

If you haven't seen them play live before, this is the time to do it.

Tickets are £7 in advance or £10 on the door. You can buy tickets online from: www.wegottickets.com/event/31603

To find out more about the band and listen to some of their tracks visit: http://www.myspace.com/genedraytonunit

One way ticket to Flipsville - Sunday 8th June

Dig this cats, it's Sunday evening. It's hot and sticky inside your pad and out. And yet you have a real gone urge to jump up and shake your feet. Like, too much! A no-goodnik would lie naked in front of a fan. But you have this beastly desire to dance - and not sedately. Wildly!

It's time to fall in and dig the happenings at Home Cookin', where the chicks and gators beat the boards to the crazy sound of the gonest lacquer crackers dished out with flair by El Nino and Jean-Paul Séculaire. And it won't cost you a cent.

The only thing that's square here are the meals, and they come on a round plate. So whether it's lubrication you need, or a real fine feedbag, this joint will send you to the end.

Like, make a shape in a drape and don't be late.

The date: Sunday 8th June
The time: 5.30pm - 10.30pm
The place: Filthy MacNasty's lounge bar, 68 Amwell St, EC1R 1UU
The sounds: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Latin Jazz, Blues, Funk
The food: Pie & Mash
The drinks: Plentiful
The cover charge: Nix. Nothing. Zero.

NB: The first 20 groovers to hit the hop will bag themselves a hip to the tip compact disk of solid kicks.

And remember, it ain't no sin to take off your skin, and dance around in your bones, so cop the bop and make the scene. Home Cookin' is your one way ticket to Flipsville.

Find out more from www.right-on.org

The last ever Tighten Up - 6 June

After 9 years (and only 4 months at its current venue) well respected London reggae club Tighten Up is to come to an end with one last event on Friday 6th June. Promoters Mistah Brown and Tim P have decided it's time to call it a day and plan to concentrate on other projects.

Special guest selectors for this farewell bash are the ever popular Asher G (The Rocksteady Daddy) and Bilko. Expect the usual mix of classic reggae, ska, rocksteady, old-skool dancehall, roots and heavyweight dub at what will no doubt be a party to remember and an emotional night for the club's loyal regulars. If you're a fan of reggae make sure you get down to this one!

Details as follows:

Tighten Up @ Rhum Jungle (underneath Cottons Caribbean Restaurant)
70 Exmouth Market (Off Rosebery Avenue)
London EC1

Doors: 9pm til 2am
Admission: FREE
Dress code: No hoods (That's it!)

For more info check: www.dancecrasher.co.uk

Norton & Bourton @ Home Cookin' - Sun 13 April

Home Cookin' returns to Filthy MacNasty's this Sunday 13th April with two very special guest DJs joining me on the decks for a musical feast of uptempo bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, Latin jazz, blues and funk... and as usual admission is absolutely free.

MARK NORTON - talented sax player and front-man of London's favourite Hammond combo The Gene Drayton Unit will be showing off some of the records that have inspired his playing. He's DJ'd for me at Right On! in the past but this time will be playing an exclusive jazz set. Expect some great 60s dancefloor and Hammond jazz from Mark guaranteed to make you shake that moneymaker.

WILL BOURTON - co-host of It's A Shingaling Thing! and regular guest at clubs like The Stag O Lee, Will has one of the coolest and most eclectic record collections I've yet come across. As well as some amazingly rare Latin tunes, Will has the kind of jazz records that will blow your mind.

Between the three of us you are guaranteed to hear the sort of stuff you just won't hear anywhere else. So whether you want to come and try out your jazzy dance moves or simply sit back and chat with like-minded souls over a pint and some pie and mash, hope you can make it down for this tasty session.

Home Cookin' @ Filthy MacNasty's (lounge bar)
Sunday 13th April. 5.30pm - 10.30pm
68 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1UU
(nearest tubes: Angel / Kings Cross)
FREE admission

For more info including guest DJ biographies visit www.right-on.org

100 Club gets Council's knickers in a twist

Sad to report that Westminster Council do not seem to share my passion for the art of burlesque.

A few weeks ago the 100 Club ran a retro night that featured burlesque dancers. Apparently there was a member of Westminster Council in attendance who decided that the degree of undress broke the 100 Club's license. This means that the club has had to have all their operations reviewed.

Unfortunately it also means that the all night license for this Saturday's 6Ts Northern soul allnighter has been rejected. But all is not lost; the night will still go ahead, but will finish at the earlier time of 3am.

I've been told that the 100 Club owner was due to meet with the Council this week so fingers crossed the situation can be resolved. More news as I hear it.

For more information on the 6Ts Rhythm & Soul allnighters visit http://www.6ts.info/
For more information on The 100 Club visit http://www.the100club.co.uk/

We Free Kings - Saturday 8th March

Looks like next weekend is going to be a jazzy one! As well as my Home Cookin' session on Sunday 9th March, I've just been sent details of We Free Kings - a jazz night taking place on Saturday 8th March. These sessions don't take place very often, and I've still not made it to one myself, but I've heard excellent things about the music and atmosphere so well worth checking out if jazz is your bag.

Press release as follows:

"calling all and sundry.
please join we free kings on saturday march 8th from 8 pm till late at the 3 kings pub located at 7 clerkenwell close ec1 to celebrate the changing of the season in the jazz style. you can expect the finest sounds, the sharpest threads and the hippest people in the nicest pub in london. so what are you waiting for? spring into action.
we free kings"

Tighten Up returns - 7th March

Good news for reggae lovers: Tighten Up is back in a brand new venue from Friday 7th March 2008 (and is planned for the first Friday of each month thereafter)

Rhum Jungle is the name of the venue and it's located beneath Cotton's Caribbean Restaurant. It's an atmospheric basement club which should suit the night right down to a T.

As ever, the music policy is: Ska, Rocksteady, Vintage Reggae, Roots, Old-Skool-Dancehall and Dub from residents Mistah Brown and Tim P with The Mighty Champion MC on the mic.

Admission is free before 10pm and the only dress code is: No hoods allowed.

For full details check the London Dossier club listings or visit: www.dancecrasher.co.uk

The 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off - SAT 23 FEB

I'm very pleased to be playing another Right On! style set this coming Saturday. I've been invited to join resident DJ Simon Stretch on the decks at his Stormy Weather night at Barrio North - a bar opened last year dedicated to vintage and underground music.

We will be spinning a mix of 1950s-1970s black music - all off of original 45s. Expect to hear some fantastic rockin' r'n'b, 60s soul, funk, jazz, ska, reggae, mambo, calypso, boogaloo and whatever other aural curiosities spring to mind.

Simon and I DJ'd alongside each other at the last Rakehell's Revels and complemented each other perfectly, so I am really excited at this chance to DJ with him again.

Details as follows:

Stormy Weather presents the 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off
@ Barrio North, 45 Essex Road, London, N1 2SF (tube: Angel)
SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2008
8pm til 1.30am; FREE entry

Home Cookin' after-party - Sunday 10th February

Well, this Sunday's Home Cookin' looks like being a really busy one! I've had great response to my promotion and we've even been recommended in this week's Time Out magazine. For full details on the night see my earlier blog post or check out www.right-on.org

If you're thinking of coming, please do get down early, as the band will be on at 7.30pm (you don't want to miss them!) and the night finishes at 10.30pm.

However, for those of you who don't have work the next morning, I can now confirm we will be holding a Right On! style after-party at a secret West End venue (to be revealed on the night). This will feature across-the-board vintage black music from the 50s, 60s and 70s played by special guest DJs Texas Ranger (Trojan Explosion), Mark Professor (Trojan Explosion, Reference Library), Truck Turner (Reference Library) and David Atkinson (Brighton).

Texas Ranger (pictured above at Right On!) and Mark Professor are famous for their sweet reggae selections whilst Truck Turner and David Atkinson are better known for playing dancefloor jazz. However, all of these DJs have vast record collections and play a whole range of styles: from jazz, soul and r&b through to ska, reggae and Latin boogaloo. One things for sure, they all know how to rock a dance.

This is truly going to be an unforgettable night, so I do hope you can make it!

Make It 'n' Shake It! - Sunday 3rd February

Well this year is proving to be a busy one for me so far. As well as my Home Cookin' jazz session, I've also got a great night coming up on Sunday 3rd February called Make It 'n' Shake It!

Me and Mistah Brown from Tighten Up will be salvaging what's left of the weekend with a riotous mix of Stax stompers, Motown movers, heavy Hammond groovers, scorchin' ska, Southern-fried soul, hip bumpin' funk, rollickin' rhythm 'n' blues and good old rock 'n' roll for all you hipsters, flipsters, finger-poppin' mamas & jive-talkin' daddies thinking about taking tomorrow off work!

The venue comes complete with a wooden floor too - perfect for dancing. Plus there's a back garden for the smokers.

And to top it all off, it won't cost you a dime to get in!

Details as follows:

Make It 'n' Shake It! @ The Old Queen's Head (upstairs bar)
DATE: Sunday 3rd February
TIMES: 5pm - Midnight
ADDRESS: 44 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN
ADMISSION: FREE

Home Cookin' extravaganza - Sunday 10th February

As next month's Home Cookin' falls on my birthday, I've decided to pull all the stops out to put on a really exciting and unique night.

Come down and be treated to a smokin' live Hammond duo plus two of my favourite guest DJs spinning 100% real jazz on original vinyl - think uptempo hard bop, bebop, soul jazz, Latin jazz, cool jazz, funk and blues.

For one night only, I will be joined by highly respected DJs Smiler (Rude, Steppin' Out) and Mary Boogaloo (The Blue Bar) - all the way from Rome. Both of these DJs have played for me a number of times at Right On! and are always hugely popular.

And as if this wasn't enough, there is an exclusive live set from the amazing Andy Fairclough-Larry Clack Duo with their fantastic blend of 60s-influenced soul jazz, hard bop and funk. Both the Hammond organist and drummer have made a real name for themselves on the jazz scene with their bands The Root Source (Freestyle Records) and The Organism. At Home Cookin' they will be tailoring a mix of Organism originals plus choice covers of 60s club classics to get your feet moving and your fingers snappin'.

You can check out some of the Organism's material on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/theorganismuk

As usual, the whole session takes place in the Lounge bar at the back of Filthy MacNasty's which has just the right atmosphere for a jazz night. There is space to dance as well as room to just sit back and relax over a drink or some delicious pie and mash. And this night always attracts a really friendly crowd of dancers and jazz lovers, so you can be assured of great company too.

To top it all off, admission to the night is still absolutely FREE - and drinks are at pub prices too, so there really is no excuse not to come down.

Being a Sunday, the night kicks off at 5.30pm and runs until 10.30pm - so get down early! The band will be on at 7.30pm.

I may also be holding an after-party this month; please drop me an email to paul@right-on.org if you would be interested in attending.

Full details as follows:

Home Cookin' @ Filthy MacNasty's (Lounge bar)
Dates: Sunday 10th February 2008
Time: 5.30pm - 10.30pm
Admission: FREE
Address: 68 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UU
Tubes: Angel / King's Cross

DJ Jean-Paul @ Ronnie Scott's - Fri 25 January

Some very exciting news - I've been invited to guest DJ upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho. Needless to say, this is something of a dream come true for me! It's a weekly night called Walking In Rhythm which has a music policy very similar to Right On! - i.e. the best of vintage black music. This gives me a rare opportunity to play a mixed set like those I play at Right On! I'll be bringing along a bit of everything: jazz, soul, rhythm & blues, doo wop, funk, ska, calypso, reggae, boogaloo, mambo, samba and more - all on original vinyl.

The session is held in the smart upstairs bar at Ronnie Scott's which was given a complete facelift when the club was refurbished a year or so back.

For those who don't know, Ronnie Scott's is probably the UK's most important and famous modern jazz venue. It opened in Gerrard Street in 1959 and moved to its current premises opposite Bar Italia in Frith Street in 1965. Like Ronnie Scott's, Bar Italia is also still going strong and is the perfect place for a late night cappuccino after Ronnie Scott's kicks out at 3am.

This is going to be a night to remember, and until I find a perfect new venue for Right On!, this should be a fix for anyone who has been missing it as much as I have. It's only a fiver to get in too - or free if you get there early enough - so being skint shouldn't be a problem either. And who knows, if I draw a big enough crowd maybe they'll invite me back!

The details are as follows:

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's (upstairs bar)
Date: Friday 25th January
Time: 7pm - 3am
Admission: FREE before 9pm / £5 before 11pm / £8 after 11pm
Address: 47 Frith Street, London, W1D 4HT
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Home Cookin' - 2nd Sunday of every month

Thanks to the success of the launch night on the 9th December 2007, my Home Cookin' jazz session at Filthy MacNasty's is now going to run monthly on the 2nd Sunday of every month starting from Sunday 13th January.

We had a great night in December and I was really pleased with the appreciative crowd. The session takes place in the Lounge bar at the back of Filthy MacNasty's which has just the right atmosphere. There is space to dance as well as space to just sit back and relax over a drink or some delicious pie and mash. We got a really friendly and mixed crowd last time and everyone there had come especially for the session, so no need to worry about troublesome drunks etc.

I know that you will all be tired and skint after Xmas and New Year's Eve celebrations... but the good news is that admission to this night is going to remain absolutely FREE! Drinks are at pub prices too, so you've no excuse not to come down to hear some great music and socialise with like minded souls.

The night now kicks off at the earlier time of 5.30pm and finishes at 10.30pm (in time to catch the tube home)

As ever, the music policy is uptempo bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, Latin jazz, cool, funk and blues - all played on vinyl LPs, EPs and 45s.

Other than Shiftless Shuffle run by the Jazzcotech Dancers, there's no other regular jazz session like this on in London at the moment, so please come down and show your support if you can.

We also plan to showcase some great guest DJs and possibly live music in the coming months - so watch this space!

Home Cookin' @ Filthy MacNasty's (Lounge Bar)
Dates: Sunday 13th Jan, 10th Feb, 9th Mar, etc.
Time: 5.30pm - 10.30pm
Admission: FREE
Address: 68 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UU
Tubes: King's Cross / Angel

We Free Kings jazz session - Sat 22 December

Short notice, but some more good news for jazz lovers. After a prolonged absence, the We Free Kings jazz happening returns on Saturday 22nd December. I've heard good things about this night, so would highly recommend checking it out.

The promoters promise "a warming concotion of the finest jazz music known to man as well as some not known to anyone but ourselves". In addition, they will be giving out some small presents "in keeping with the pagan gift-giving rituals that characterise this time of year".

As ever, the night takes place at The Three Kings pub (Time Out Critic's Choice) in Clerkenwell.

Full details as follows:

We Free Kings @ The 3 Kings
7 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0DY. (020) 7253 0483
From 8pm til late

The final Rakehell's Revels - 18 December

Sadly there is now to be just one last ever Rakehell's Revels. This will take place on Tuesday 18th December.

Whether you are a regular, or have never been before, make sure you get down to this! It is your last chance to enjoy one of London's very best nights out.

I still don't know what exactly has prompted this club night to come to an end, though I am determined to get to the bottom of it.

I've never DJ'd at the club before myself, but I am honoured that David Piper has asked me to play a set at this final shindig. There will be many other DJs on the night too, so the individual sets are likely to be shorter than normal, but it should be a great fun night for everyone involved. I'm certainly very excited at the prospect of playing some tunes to the up-for-it crowd at this exquisite venue.

Remember to put on your finest threads for this too, as there is a strict smart dress code. This is one night where it really is worth dressing to the nines to match the glamour of the venue.

For full details see the listing here: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm#tue

DJ Jean-Paul @ Trojan Explosion - 30 November

As readers of the Clubs page will know, Trojan Explosion is a monthly Friday session that I rate very highly. It's held in a brilliant basement venue in the heart of the West End and has a great mix of music - both obscurities and classics.

One of the resident DJs there, Texas Ranger, has kindly asked me to DJ with her this Friday, 30th November, while her partner in crime Mark Professor is away in the Caribbean.

Despite the name, the night is a really good mix of rockin' R&B, 60s soul, funk and soul-jazz alongside the ska, rocksteady and reggae. I'm very excited about this as it's a musical formula I love and is quite close to the sort of mix I play at Right On!

Anyway, very short notice I know, but I thought I'd post the info up here in case anyone is looking for somewhere to go this Friday and fancies hearing some of my tunes. Plus it's FREE before 11pm - bonus! Details as follows...

Trojan Explosion @ Market Place (downstairs bar)
11 Marketplace (behind Oxford Street), London, W1 8AH
Friday 30th November; 8pm-1am
FREE before 11pm then £7

Home Cookin' - Sunday 9 December

HOME COOKIN' - Blue Notes, Pie and Mash

Sunday 9th December 2007

Jean-Paul Seculaire presents a brand new FREE Sunday evening session of bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, Latin jazz, funk and blues selected from his collection of LPs and 45s.

Come down to this legendary whiskey cafe in Islington to hear some of the finest jazz ever committed to vinyl whilst drinking and making merry with like-minded souls.

And if you're feeling peckish and in need of a good Sunday dinner, why not try out the delicious Pie and Mash (vegetarian pies also available).

Time: 6pm - 11pm
Admission: FREE
Venue: Filthy MacNasty's
Address: 68 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UU
Tubes: King's Cross, Angel

Finally I'm having a go at doing a pure jazz night. I've been toying around with the idea for a long time now. I had a jazz radio show for a while and now I'm going to be doing it live.

The venue is the famous Filthy MacNasty's whiskey bar in Islington. Paul Hallam's little den of iniquity... perfect setting for this night I think.

This is much more intimate than the venues I use for Right On! and it's a night aimed more at listening to music, drinking, eating and socialising than dancing (though you're welcome to dance if you like!)

Anyway, enough from me... would love to hear your thoughts on this as there aren't many nights like this around. And if you like the idea please do come down if you can, as only with your support will this become a regular event.

DJing at Shuga Push - Saturday 24 November

A bit last minute, but I've just been booked to guest DJ at a club night called Shuga Push this Saturday - 24th November.

This is a night of Blues, Booze 'n' Burlesque. It used to be based at the Buffalo Bar in Islington, but has now moved to a great little 30s New York style Art Deco bar near Euston. Check out the venue online here: http://www.positively4thstreet.co.uk/

Myself and DJ Suave will be playing some swing and jazz early on and then tearin' the place apart later with dirty foot stompin' rhythm & blues platters to get you jumping, jiving, rockin' and rolling.

It's only a fiver to get in, or just a mere 3 quid before 8pm, so it won't break the bank. Get down early if you can as it's a great venue, but quite intimate, so will probably get quite busy later on.

Should be a real nice atmosphere with just music lovers and people in the know down there. There's unlikely to be any troublemakers or late-night drunks passing by, as the venue is central but a little off the beaten track.

The nearest tube station is Warren Street, but it's also just a short walk from Euston Square and Euston stations.

Full details as follows:

Shuga Push @ Positively 4th Street
119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE. (020) 7388 5380
Saturday 24th November. 7pm-1am
£3 before 8pm then £5 (£8 after 11pm)

Hope to see you there!

The Magic Theatre - 24 November

The Magic Theatre is a glamourous sounding new club night coming up at the gorgeous Rivoli Ballroom on Saturday 24th November.

The idea behind the night is to hold to a diverse and magical event for "whoever you are or whoever you want to be". It is aimed at people of all sexualities and gender identities - anyone who loves to dress up and dance.

Musically the night promises to cover 60s Soundtracks, Brazilian, Lounge, Library Grooves, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Sixties Soul, 60s French and Italian Pop, and Jazz Dance courtesy of DJ Weegee. There will also be live music from The Roadhouse 5 who play Rat Pack Jazz, Soul and select Pop.

The Rivoli Ballroom should be the perfect venue for this unique night and was chosen especially as a fitting stage for costumes and outfits that are quirky, sensual and spectacular. In other words, a place to make a grand entrance, and to dance into the early hours.

The Rivoli is one of very few remaining original ballrooms in London. It apparently started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913, before being converted into a ballroom with a large sprung maple dancefloor in the late 1950s. Its beautiful original decor includes red velvet, flock wallpaper, chandeliers and glitter balls.

The club runs from 8pm til 1am tho