On September 8, two momentous occurrences took place in the UK: one was instantly shared throughout the world and millions upon millions mourned; the other was a joyous occasion shared by several dozen that brought some light to the darkness for those who took part. The concurrence of the two set me thinking about the past, present and future in new ways.
At 6:00 pm that evening, Anne and I arrived at the Stadium Leisure Club in Nottingham to get ready for a session for the Nottingham Rhythm Club (NRC); I was leading the band selected to perform for the club’s 80th anniversary celebration (postponed from 2021 when many clubs were not yet reopened). The NRC is the UK’s oldest still-extant jazz club. It was started by about a half dozen enthusiasts in 1941 as a weekly record-listening rendezvous—jazz appreciation societies such as this one were commonly called ‘rhythm clubs.” The numbers grew, more jazz bands began popping up throughout the country and the club turned to hosting live performances. Eventually the club was hosting weekly sessions and the numbers were good. As with most clubs in the UK, even before the pandemic, 21st century numbers were dwindling and several years ago the club began to meet biweekly—still quite a feat; many clubs have been reduced to monthly shows or have folded.
At 6:30 it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had passed on at Balmoral, the
