Monthly Archives: December 2013

Dart Valley Stompers, 20/12/2013

What a fabulous party we had on Friday, 20th December 2013 here at our Farnborough Jazz Club, with the DART VALLEY STOMPERS providing the entertainment.  The Sports Club Committee had worked hard and managed to have the new floor installed during the week, working right up to the day before!  Yes, a tight squeeze (especially as they also had a booking on that Thursday evening too), so thanks guys  for all your hard work – & girls for the Xmas décor as well. 

It was our last gig of the year – our Xmas Party and as predicted, we certainly did ‘live it up’ with a ‘full house’.  So, first of all, Keith and I wish to thank everyone for pre-booking, needed for food ordering.  Only a handful of you had to cancel on the day.  However, a few more of you took ‘pot luck’ and just turned up anyway!  One of our regulars said there were faces he didn’t know.  I told him Keith and I knew everyone (bar two new faces) some from way back in ‘Badgers Mount’ days and as having said on previous occasions, thank goodness clubs do have a nucleus of visitors.   Now to tell you about the evening.  The food was produced by our friend Peter (a London pro chef) and his young protégé, Dan.  I think all who participated, would agree, the spread was splendid, so thanks you two.

Now what about the band.  As mentioned last week, they hail from Devon, but are extremely popular throughout the Country.  Their first visit to us was back in December 2011.  JEREMY HUGGETT, their founder/leader (clarinet, Saxes & vocals) was joined by GRAHAM TREVARTON (cornet, trumpet & vocals), RON MILFORD (trombone & vocals), EDDIE EDWARDS (banjo), LUKAS DRINKWATER (bass) and CHRIS STOCKINGS (drums).   I said last week, I had to sleuth for Eddie on the internet to check what he played, saying he just might be ‘Eddie the Eagle’.  What was so spooky is I had prepared last week’s message during the morning, but wanted to update the previous Friday’s news before publishing it.  What’s spooky, you say?  Well, if any of you had watched ‘Egg Heads’, you would have known Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards was a Challenger in that afternoon’s programme!  Yes, I know it’s a coincidence, but I mean to say, wow!  Anyway, to continue…. I was so busy, it was very hard to make my notes of the evening, but what an overall feel I was soaking in – what a band.  There was so much dancing going on.  Their first number began with a drum start to ‘Willie the Weeper’, a lovely ‘trad’ jazz favourite.  I’d like to mention ‘Jambalaya’, just great to dance to aye.  Then there was ‘Birth of the Blues’, sung by Ron and lots of us in the audience too.  Graham also sang, his number being ‘I Would Do Anything for you’.  Of course the food was served during the first break, so I’m not sure what number followed, but I know ‘Hello Dolly’ was sung by Ron and ‘Streets of the City’ was a brilliant tune that changed key a couple of times – brilliant.  There were few requests, which the band kindly agreed to play, those being ‘Sweet Lorraine’, ‘Down in Honky Tonk Town’ and ‘Blueberry Hill’.  I can’t remember when we did our line-dance.  However, Steve (a regular), having been to New Orleans, had asked some weeks ago, for a Brolly Parade.  Keith hadn’t heard me mention anything on the mike the week before, plus hadn’t notice any brollies being brought in, so it was a complete surprise to him (I think there were about 30 of them).  Obviously ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was the number and was sung by both Jeremy and Ron.  Keith said it was the highlight of the evening – what a parade.  It has been four or five years since we last had one, so was great fun (thanks Steve for suggesting it).  Several photos were taken, so please may I ask you for copies to put here on this website, ta.  Just one extra point, the band didn’t leave till gone 12.30am and would not have got home till at least 6.00am!

Now before closing, we would also like to thank Ian (Sports Club’s President) who rushes home after work (in central London) every week, to unlock the club house early for us, plus to get the bar ready and on occasions run it too.  Also to thank our bar staff, Val and Harry, Barb and Cath, for their hard work (including helping to clear up afterwards) and not leaving until at least 1.00am and all with cheery smiling faces.

Yes, also a thanks to everyone, you did make it one of our most memorable Christmas parties to end 2013 out in style.  We surely did ‘keep on dancing’ and yes, we did have the correct music!

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who have managed to support us throughout 2013, including all the wonderful jazz bands who have appeared here.  Of course we wish everyone a very Healthy and Happy New Year in 2014.  This includes all our jazz media friends (Just Jazz Magazine, Jazz Guide and Kent Jazz News etc.)

Don’t forget, our next gig will be 10th January 2014 (8.30pm-11.30pm), with PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND to celebrate my 17th birthday (now then, stop laughing!!!!!).

Diane and Keith

(Phew, I know, I do go on, don’t I – sorry!)

‘Birth of the Blues’ (m) Ray Henderson. (l) Buddy G. DeSylva & Lew Brown (1926)
‘Blueberry Hill’ – (m) Vincent Rose, (l) Al Lewis & Larry Stock (1940)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘Down in Honky Tonk Town’ – Chris Smith & Charles McCarron (1916)
‘Hello Dolly’ – Jerry Herman (1964)
(I Would Do) Anything for You’ – (m) Claude Hopkins, (l) Alex Hill (1932)
‘Jambalaya (on the Bayou)’ – Hank Williams (1952)
(We Shall Walk Through the) Streets of the City’ – traditional
‘Sweet Lorraine’ (m) Cliff Burwell, (l) Mitchell Parish (1928)
‘Willie the Weeper’ – Frankie ‘Half Pint’ Jaxon (1927)

Chez Chesterman’s Band Of Brothers, 13/12/2013

CHEZ CHESTERMAN’S BAND OF BROTHERS at the Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on Friday, 13th November 2013 were wonderful.  The dance floor was packed for most of the evening.  I said last week “ooh, what a fabulous line-up”.  They were leader and trumpeter CHEZ, with JOHN CROCKER on clarinet & sax, GEOFF COLE on trombone, ROY JAMES on banjo, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass and BILL FINCH on drums.   There was tons of dancing and fun (and Keith, having said last week “and drinking – his is a pint” did have some of you oblige him, cheeky, isn’t he!)  The evening began with that great number called ‘Should I Reveal’ (recorded in 1931 by Mitja Nikisch Tanz Orchester), which brought on the dancers immediately.  Chez sung the next song ‘Down by the Riverside’, accompanied by many of us (my cousin-in-law, Bill and I were certainly harmonising together – he belongs to a ‘Barber-Shop’ choir), plus again there was plenty of dancing.  Chez reminisced about the next number called ‘Baby Doll’, which was from the first X-rated film he had seen (of the same name).  He was too young and so he remembers borrowing his mum’s eyebrow pencil, drew a line over his lip and managed to get in (I’m sure it didn’t fool anyone)!  He recalls something about nightwear???  I don’t know what he is talking about.  Our Len called out ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ ha!  Again, dance floor full.  By the way Chez, you can buy the film from Amazon, staring Carroll Baker, although probably quite tame now!  Another number they played was ‘My Blue Heaven’ sung so well by Geoff and you’ve guessed it, the dancers were out again. The next number ‘2:19 Blues’ (also known as ‘Mamie’s Blues) was recorded by Jelly Roll Morton in 1937.  Jelly had said it was among the very first blues number he had ever heard (1902).  Chez sang it for us, plus he played a muted trumpet, beautiful.  Now the next number was Kid Ory’s ‘Savoy Blues’ a great number he produced in 1937 and of course Geoff gave it great credit.  Next to mention was ‘Exactly Like You’.  This number got us all up to do our line-dance to.  It was probably too fast, but certainly a lot of fun (I hope all our audience appreciate our fun too)!!!!  Now the next number was a corker.  It was called ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ and certainly not a blues.  Lovely to dance to.  I think the last number I must mention, was I think their last number too.  ‘Shimmy Sha Wabble’.  Oh I can tell you, my feet were aching after that dance and I was (as is usual) definitely ‘done for’ the next day as well.  I have to say this band is brilliant and fun too.

Keep Smiling.

Diane & Keith

‘Baby Doll’ – Kenyon Hopkins (1956)
‘Down By the Riverside’ – Gospel song first published 1918
‘Exactly Like You’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Fields (1930)
‘Fisherman’s Blues’ – ‘Champion Jack’ Dupree (1945)
‘My Blue Heaven’ – (m) Walter Donaldson, (l) George A. Whiting (1924)
‘Savoy Blues’ – Edward ‘Kid’ Ory (1927)
‘Shimmy-Sha-Wabble’ – Spencer Williams (1917)
‘Should I (Reveal Exactly How I Feel)’ – (m) Nacio Herb Brown, (l) Arthur Freed (1931)
‘2:19 Blues’ (also known as ‘Mamie’s Blues) – (composer(s) & year unknown (pre 1902) (l) Jelly Roll Morton (1937)

Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band, 6/12/2013

The famous ‘LAURIE CHESCOE’S REUNION BAND’ appeared on Friday, 6th December 2013 here at the Farnborough Jazz Club.  Drummer Laurie had his usual band of  musicians with him, namely ALLAN (aka ‘LORD ARSENAL’) BRADLEY on trumpet, piano & vocals, JOHN LEE on reeds, DAVE HEWITT on trombone, COLIN BRAY on piano/soprano sax, JIM DOUGLAS on guitar & banjo and PETER SKIVINGTON on bass ukulele. What a super line-up aye?  Not so many of you turned up.  I suppose Xmas parties, or perhaps a pantomime are to blame.  Our own dear bar managers, Val & Harry were in ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ pantomime in Knockholt.  I saw them last Saturday and very professional and funny it was too.  Well done to all the cast.    However, all those who missed Laurie, missed a very entertaining evening, quite our very own variety performance.  Lord Arsenal was very entertaining as compere and they started off with a rip-roaring version of ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’ just to set the standard.   Allan then introduced the next number as ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’.  Our audient comedian, Len, called out “or ‘Just Wishful Thinking’ aye”.  Allan played a lovely muted trumpet.  Another number to mention was a Southern Ragtime one called ‘Memphis Blues’.  Plus a Louis Armstrong number called ‘Bill Bailey’, sung by Allan.  Dave played his baritone horn next to ‘Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider’, what a lovely sound too.  Their next number was ‘L-O-V-E’.  Allan changed places with Colin with Allan on piano and Colin on soprano sax.  Colin was amazing, with his legs akimbo, what rhythm he has in his body, as well as being so talented – quite a genius.  Nat King Cole recorded this number in 1964, who sadly died just one month later.  The next number I want to mention just happens to be one of my all-time jazz favourite, called ‘Christopher Columbus’.  If that wasn’t enough, John Lee was featured in the next number, ‘Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry’ and this number’s composer went on to composed for both Sinatra & Streisand, both my all-time favourite singers.  ‘Move your Body Over’ came next, again with Colin on soprano sax and Alan on piano and vocals.  I wondered why there was an ironing board amongst their kit, but then forgot it.  However, it became obvious it was for the next number!  Colin showed us once again what a performer he is!  He proceeded to set up this ironing board, then out came a Xylophone and Colin played it magnificently to ‘China Boy’ (again with Allan on piano).   My last number to mention was Jim featured on guitar with ‘That’s All’.  Just another evening of great music and dancing once again.  Laurie certainly kept the whole evening going with his drumming (and continual smiling).  That’s why I said ‘yippee’ last week!

Diane & Keith

‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ – (m) Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields (1917) (l’s added 1950 by Johnny Mercer)
‘Bill Bailey’ – Hughie Cannon (1902)
‘China Boy’ – Phil Boutelje & Dick Winfree (1922)
‘Christopher Columbus’ – Glen Miller, Joe Garland & Andy Razaf (1959)
‘Guess I’ll Hang My Tears out to Dry’ – (m) Jule Styne, (l) Sammy Cahn (1944)
‘Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider’ – (m) Eddie Munson, (l) Eddie Leonard (1903)
‘L-O-V-E’ – (m) Bert Kaempfert, (l) Milt Gabler (1963)
‘Memphis Blues’ – (m) W.C. Handy (1912), (l) George A. Norton (1913)
‘Move your Body Over’ – (George Lewis?)
‘On The Sunny Side of the Street’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1930)
‘That’s All’ – (m&l) Bob Haymes, (l) Alan Brandt (1952)