Monthly Archives: March 2015

Savannah Jazz Band, 27th March 2015

John Meehan, drummer and leader of Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

John Meehan, drummer and leader of Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Last week, I yelled out (well, in writing)  Hey! JOHN MEEHAN is bringing his SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND back again to our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday 27th March 2015. It had been three years since they last visited us, so I said you had better get to the club early, because they are a hugely popular band.  Leader and drummer John, still has BILL SMITH on cornet, ROGER MYERSCOUGH on clarinet, BRIAN ‘SAM’ ELLIS on trombone, TONY POLLITT on bass, although this time, ANDY MAYNARD was on banjo.

Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015.  With Ldr &drums John Meehan, Bill Smith (crnt), Roger Myerscough (clrn), Brian ‘Sam’ Ellis (trmb), Tony Pollitt (bass) & Andy Maynard (bnj). Photo by Mike Witt.

Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. With Ldr &drums John Meehan, Bill Smith (crnt), Roger Myerscough (clrn), Brian ‘Sam’ Ellis (trmb), Tony Pollitt (bass) & Andy Maynard (bnj). Photo by Mike Witt.

Bill Smith (cornet), Roger Myerscough (clarinet) & Andy Maynard (banjo) of Savannah Jazz Club, Farnborough Jazz Club, 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Bill Smith (cornet), Roger Myerscough (clarinet) & Andy Maynard (banjo) of Savannah Jazz Club, Farnborough Jazz Club, 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

And get here early, you did – out of the woodwork. Lovely to see you all, just like the old days (even with some regulars away on holiday). The music was wonderful too.

Roger started the ball rolling with his singing ‘Walking with the King’, then Bill joined in singing too. The number is a great favourite, so it woo’d dancers onto the floor straight away and you knew the evening was going to be a success.

The next tune was a hit of Benny Goodman ‘The Glory of Love’ and (I think – although I didn’t jot down) was the choice for our line-dance.

‘Black Cat on a Fence’ is another number that lured all the dancers out (it reminded me so much of our Phil Mason days). ‘Nothing Blues’ was another number they chose to do, which has a wonderful dance temp – super cornet Bill.

Front liners 'Sam', Bill & Roger of Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

Front liners ‘Sam’, Bill & Roger of Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

How you (the band) were swinging with ‘Sam’ on trombone, Roger on tenor sax and Bill on harmonica. The next number was one for the smooching, ‘Till Then’ and again, a full house dance floor! Ken Colyer’s hit tune ‘Postman’s Lament’ was sung by Roger and as for ‘Panama Rag’, it was just fabulous, with John performing a superbly brilliant drum solo. My next choice of song to mention is ‘I Sing Because I’m Happy’ of course sung by Roger – yeahh! Then they were ALL fab, fab, just fab with ‘Shout Em Aunt Tilly’. What a fantastic job they did with that number.

Brian 'Sam' Ellis (trombonist) with Savannah Jazz Club at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Brian ‘Sam’ Ellis (trombonist) with Savannah Jazz Club at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Roger Myerscough (clarinet) of Savannah Jazz Club at Farnborough Jazz Club, 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Roger Myerscough (clarinet) of Savannah Jazz Club at Farnborough Jazz Club, 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

Tony Pullitt (bass) of  Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

Tony Pullitt (bass) of Savannah Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

 

Andy Maynard (banjo) and John Meehan (drums) of Savannah Jazz Club, at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Andy Maynard (banjo) and John Meehan (drums) of Savannah Jazz Club, at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

The engine room were marvellous, with Tony on bass, Andy on banjo and the mistro John, himself on drums.  Well done everyone and hope it doesn’t go another three years before we see you all again at Farnborough. Listen everyone, make a point of going wherever you see them advertised. You will not regret it.

Keep on jazzin’

Diane and Keith

‘Black Cat on a Fence’ – (l) Frank Sinatra, (m) Charlie Love (circa 1949) debatable
‘I Sing Because I’m Happy’
‘Nothing Blues’ – (need to find info on this one.)
‘Panama Rag’ – William H. Tyers (191
‘Postman’s Lament’ – traditional
‘Shout Em Aunt Tilly’ – Duke Ellington& Irving Mills (1930)
‘The Glory of Love’ – William Joseph “Billy” Hill (1936)
‘Till Then’ – Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus & Guy Wood (1944)
‘Walking with the King’ – pop gospel, origins unknown

Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band, Friday, 20th March 2015

‘LAURIE CHESCOE’S REUNION BAND’ always do it right – entertain us, I mean and Friday, 20th March 2015 at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB was no exception. Drummer and leader, Laurie, with his fellow musicians, ALLAN (‘Lord Arsenal’) BRADLEY on trumpet, piano & vocals, JOHN LEE on reeds, DAVE HEWITT on trombone & Baritone Horn, JIM DOUGLAS on banjo & guitar and PETER SKIVINGTON on bass guitar & bass ukulele, I did advertised they can’t help but delight you all. Well, although you didn’t arrive by the coach-load, it was quite a good turnout. Unfortunately COLIN BRAY was not with us – hurry up and get well Colin, so you can join us on the next Reunion.

Laurie Chescoe's Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on Friday 20th March 2015. (LtoR) Jim Douglas (gtr), Dave Hewitt (trmb), Laurie (drums), Alan 'Lord Arsenal' Bradley (trmp), Pete Skivington (bass) & John Lee (clrnt&sax). Photo by Mike Witt.

Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on Friday 20th March 2015. (LtoR) Jim Douglas (gtr), Dave Hewitt (trmb), Laurie (drums), Allan ‘Lord Arsenal’ Bradley (trmp), Pete Skivington (bass) & John Lee (clrnt&sax). Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Hewitt (baratone horn), accompanied by Jim Douglas (guitar) and Laurie (drums) in Laurie Chescoe's Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 20th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Hewitt (baratone horn), accompanied by Jim Douglas (guitar) and Laurie (drums) in Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 20th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

I will begin this newsletter with the mention of Dave’s Baritone Horn, which he played when they did ‘Riverboat Shuffle’ (Allan mentioned Dave’s nickname for the horn, being his “valued bed pan!” hmmm. I can assure you it doesn’t sound like one – ha). They were all playing with such brilliance (his Lordship with muted trumpet and John on clarinet). What a team. Dave then began with a super intro (again on b.horn) to the next number ‘Sleepy Time Gal’. John had changed to Tenor sax and Allan sang. We were being spoilt for sure and to follow came ‘Taps Miller’, with John still on tenor, but with Dave on trombone this time.

John Lee (sax), Laurie (drums) & Pete Skivington (bass) in Laurie Chescoe's Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 20March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Lee (sax), Laurie (drums) & Pete Skivington (bass) in Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 20March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

The next number I wish to mention was John’s Special. I don’t have to tell you how special John is, it goes without saying, but I must mention Laurie gave his all. Yes, what a brilliant drum solo. Keith was standing with his mouth agape. The number was ‘Back Home in Indiana’ – wonderful. They played one more number before the break, ‘Oh Marie’ and Allan sang. We audience got up and enjoyed doing a line-dance. When they returned from their break, they all sang ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ led by Allan and what a great rendition from all of them (including us audience of course). I know I have said it before, but must emphasise what a lovely voice Allan has, which shows when he sings ‘I Thank You Mr Moon’, need I say more. It was Jim Douglas who came up next with his special, ‘God Bless the Child’, with Pete backing him. What a performance. The bands last number to end the evening was sung by Allan (Bing Crosby’s hit) ‘Pennies from Heaven’. This song was a big hit with so many top stars, including Louis Armstrong and a great number to end the evening with. Sorry to be so repetitive, but another happy ending to a lovely evening, leaving you wanting for more.

You have to agree, ‘live’ jazz is fun.

Diane and Keith

‘Back Home Again in Indiana’ – Ballard MacDonald & James F. Hanley (1917)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘God Bless the Child’ – Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog Jr (1939)
‘I Thank You, Mr. Moon’ – Abel Baer, Dolly Morse & Dave Oppenheim (1931)
‘Oh! Marie’- (m) Eduardo Di Capua, (l) Vincenzo Russo (circa 1890) (l) Louis Prima version (1958)
‘Pennies from Heaven’ – (m) Arthur Johnston, (l) Johnny Burke (1936)
‘Riverboat Shuffle’ – (m) Hoagy Carmichael, (l) Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish & Dick Voynow (1924)
‘Sleepy Time Gal’ – Richard A. Whiting (1925)
‘Taps Miller’ – Buck Clayton (1944) (tribute to ‘taps’ Miller for Basie Band)

Mahogany Hall Stompers, 13th March 2015

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS entertained us here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 13th March 2015 and everyone showed they really enjoyed the music and banter that was created by band leader BRIAN GILES (cornet) and the boys. Brian had booked TIM HUSKISSON on reeds, REX O’DELL on trombone & vocals, ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT on banjo & vocals, CHRIS MARCHANT on drums and EDDY JOHNSON on double bass. I asked for everyone to come with dance shoes to the fore, for a wonderful evening of happy jazz. Well you judge for yourselves – cos yes, we had fun. For a start, Brian (with his lovely Yorkshire sense of humour and accent, not forgetting his cornet playing) is always a joy and manages to bring a great choice of tunes to play. They don’t often play repeats, unless especially requested to do so, but still managing to choose great favourites.  Their first number, sung by Bob, was ‘Cake Walking Baby’, one loved by most bands and a favourite of dancers too, due to its jaunty tempo.

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 13th March 2015. Leader BRIAN GILES (crnet), TIM HUSKISSON (rds), REX O’DELL (trmb&vocs), ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT (bnjo&vocs), CHRIS MARCHANT (drums) & EDDY JOHNSON (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt.

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 13th March 2015. Leader BRIAN GILES (crnet), TIM HUSKISSON (rds), REX O’DELL (trmb&vocs), ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT (bnjo&vocs), CHRIS MARCHANT (drums) & EDDY JOHNSON (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt.  (tap on photo to bring up sharp picture)

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 13th March 2015. (LtoR) Chris Walker (drums), Tim Huskisson (clarinet), Brian Giles (trumpet) & 'Southend Bob' Allbut (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 13th March 2015. (LtoR) Chris Walker (drums), Tim Huskisson (clarinet), Brian Giles (trumpet) & ‘Southend Bob’ Allbut (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

I’ve got to mention ‘One Sweet Letter From You’, because I jotted down ‘great clarinet playing from Tim’, well he is terrific. My next jotting was Rex singing ‘Everywhere You Go’. Rex is another talent we are lucky to enjoy at Farnborough – am I gushing? Sorry! Well, I can still gush some more, because the next song ‘Just Squeeze Me’, brought on the dancers – in fact the dance floor was packed.  That’s just what I like to see. Rex sang the next number too, ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ (I’m sure he never has – he’s too nice – ha). Then we came to the dance floor to enjoy our line-dance to ‘Moose March’, really fabulous. Next came everyone’s favourite by Bob, ‘I Wanna Be A Dog’. He composed his own version and is not allowed to go home now, without singing it for us and yet, still there are people who haven’t heard it – it’s a real fun number.

Chris Marchant (drums) & 'Southend Bob' Albutt (banjo) of Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club, 13Mar2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Chris Marchant (drums) & ‘Southend Bob’ Allbut (banjo) of Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club, 13Mar2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Rex followed on with singing a mixture of ‘The Charleston’ tunes and we loved performing our line dance again to this. Well, it is a great tune for the dance. More and more people are joining in – it’s a little bit of fun, nothing fancy and nothing intricate, just beaming faces from the dancers. I put two big stars against the next song ‘I’ve Got Them Too Good To Be True Blues’, because there were some brilliant solos from everyone. It was strange they played the next number ‘When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam’, because it was played by last week’s band and I hadn’t written their newsletter, till after this evening. It is always weird like that, just how tunes do follow on by chance, when you think how many millions of popular jazz tunes there are to choose from. But then that is what is wonderful about composers – to think they can still come up with something ‘new’. So please come back for more, won’t you? The Martyn Brothers with their magic are here next Friday AND wowie, don’t get too excited, one of our raffle prizes will be an Easter Egg, now we’re spoiling you – ha.

Keep jazzin’

Diane and Keith

‘Cake Walking Babies’ – Clarence Williams, Henry Troy and Chris Smith (1924)
‘Everywhere You Go’ – (m&l) Larry Shay, Joe Goodwin & Mark Fisher
‘I Wanna Be A Dog’ – Barry Louis Polisar (1979) & re-vamped by ‘Southend Bob’ Allbut
‘I’ve Got Them Feelin’ Too Good Today Blues’ – (m) Mike Stoller, (l) Jerry Leiber (1975)
‘Just Squeeze Me’ – (m) Duke Ellington, (l) Lee Gaines (1941)
‘One Sweet Letter from You’ – (m) Harry Warren, (l) Lew Brown & Sidney Clare (1927)
Moose March’ – Hans P. Flath (1910)
‘The Charleston’ – (m) James P. Johnson, (l) Cecil Mack (1923)
‘When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam’ – Irvin Berlin (1912)
‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ – (m) Doris Fisher, (l) Allan Roberts (1944)

Hot Lips Oldtime Jazz, Germany 6th March 2015

At the beginning of March this year, we announced we would take great pleasure in presenting ‘HOT LIPS OLD-TIME JAZZ’ (from Munich, Germany) to play for the first time at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 6th March 2015 (from 8:00pm). The band’s line-up was to be leader MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL on trumpet & vocals, with BOB STRAUB on clarinet, alto sax & bass sax, HANNES EICKHORST on trombone, HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER on drums, OTMAR “GEORGE” DICKER on d.bass and WOLFGANG E. OTT on banjo.

'Hot Lips' from Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 6th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Hot Lips’ from Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent UK) on 6th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Last year, Wolfgang came to our club to listen to another band (Tony Pitt’s All Stars). We chatted (especially Keith, who can conjure up a wonderful ‘pigeon’ Anglo/German language. Wolgang gave us their CD and hence their date here on Friday. We often play the CD on a Friday evening, before everyone arrives. They began with their theme song ‘Hot Lips’, a number I don’t think has been played for us before and is certainly a lively happy number, that I just loved.

BOB STRAUB clarinet, alto bass, of 'Hot Lips Jazz Band, Munich Germany, seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club Kent, on their 2015 UK Tour. Photo by Mike Witt.

BOB STRAUB (clarinet, alto bass sax), of ‘Hot Lips Jazz Band, Munich Germany, seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club Kent, on their 2015 UK Tour. Photo by Mike Witt.

Then Bob began the next one with a lovely ’Gershwin’ sounding intro, which led into ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’, fabulous! Moving onto their next number, which I found delightful (if that can best describe it?), because it was ‘White Cliffs of Dover’. Wolfgang sang it for us, but he sang it in a different German dialect, to his own. Obviously, like us, Germany has many differing dialects, so he enjoyed it, just as much as we did. He followed on to announce their next number as ‘Midnight in Farnborough’ (obviously ‘Moscow’) and were met with a huge cheer – ha. We got up and performed our line-dance to it, being a great tempo. After a small break, the band performed ‘Shine’, sung by Michael, with some harmonising from Bob and Hannes too, brilliant. By the time they played ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love Baby’, the dance floor was full.

WOLFGANG E. OTT (banjo) and HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums) play for 'Hot Lips' of Munich, Germany on 2015 UK  Tour.  Seen at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 6th March. Photo by  Mike Witt.

WOLFGANG E. OTT (banjo) and HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums) play for ‘Hot Lips’ of Munich, Germany on 2015 UK Tour. Seen at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent 6th March. Photo by Mike Witt.

I have chosen to mention ‘Avalon’ next, because Wolfgang performed a wonderful solo. He said his banjo was called ‘dandelion’, which I think he said comes from the Odenwald Forest in Heidleberg. It had a beautiful sound to it and obviously a very special banjo. We were treated to some wonderful scat vocalising from Otmar when they played ‘That’s a Plenty’ and I must mention Bob’s brilliant clarinet playing. We were able to do another line dance to ‘Everybody Loves My Baby’.

Tiny, drummer of 'Hot Lips' from Munnich, Germany on their 2015 UK Tour, seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on 6th March 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Heini ‘The Tiny’ Buckenmaier, drummer of ‘Hot Lips’ from Munich, Germany on their 2015 UK Tour, seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on 6th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘The Tiny’ performed a fabulous drum solo – actually they all played fabulous solos. The next number was marvellous, namely ‘The Pearls’, to which I put an asterisk next to the word ‘fab-u-lous’! They rounded off the evening with ‘Jailhouse Rock’. As you can guess, we packed the dance floor. What a fun evening. It was the last gig of their tour and so always a wonderfully relaxed evening for any band. There were smiles all round and everyone left feeling really happy and warm.

Another great evening of jazz – well done boys.

Diane and Keith

[Ho ho Jim McIntosh, Wolfgang mentioned he has had a conflab with you lasting several years (well since 1972) aboutBlowing in the Wind’, written by Bob Dylon, as to if it was jazz, or spiritual/folk? Do you want to re-iterate about this Jim?  The guys played it with a traditional twist.]

'Hot Lips' Jazz Band of Munich, Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on their 2015 UK Tour .6March.  Leader MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL (trump&vocs), BOB STRAUB (clarnt, alto & b.sax), HANNES EICKHORST (tromb), HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums), OTMAR “GEORGE” DICKER (d.bass) & WOLFGANG E. OTT (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt

‘Hot Lips’ Jazz Band of Munich, Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on their 2015 UK Tour .6March. Leader MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL (trump&vocs), BOB STRAUB (clarnt, alto & b.sax), HANNES EICKHORST (tromb), HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums), OTMAR “GEORGE” DICKER (d.bass) & WOLFGANG E. OTT (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt

Leader MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL (trump), HANNES EICKHORST (tromb) and HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums) from 'Hot Lips Jazz Band' of Munich, Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK 6th March 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Leader MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL (trump), HANNES EICKHORST (tromb) and HEINI “THE TINY” BUCKENMAIER (drums) from ‘Hot Lips Jazz Band’ of Munich, Germany seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK 6th March 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

'Hot Lips' Jazz Band of Munich, Germany UK 2015 Tour at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Hot Lips’ Jazz Band of Munich, Germany UK 2015 Tour at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Photo by Mike Witt.

leader & trumpeter MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL, seen here exchanging tips with fellow trumpeter, Colin Dobson (& wife Jo) of  Billy cotton Band Show Fame. Photo by Mike Witt.

leader & trumpeter MICHAEL “HOT LIPS” ETZEL, seen here exchanging tips with fellow trumpeter, Colin Dobson (& wife Jo) of Billy cotton Band Show Fame. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ – (m) Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields (1917) (l’s added 1950 by Johnny Mercer)
‘Avalon’ – (m&l) Al Jolson, Vincent Rose & Buddy DeSylva (1920)
Blowing in the Wind’ – Bob Dylon (1962)
‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ – (m) Spencer Williams, (l) Jack Palmer (1924)
‘Hot Lips’ – Henry Busse, Henry Lange & Lou Davis (1922) (no: 1 hit for Paul Whiteman’s Band)
‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love Baby’ – Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Fields (1928)
                                                                 (Although it’s believed by ‘Fats’ Waller, who sold it on when broke)
‘Jailhouse Rock’ – (m) Mike Stoller, (l) Jerry Leiber (1957)
‘Midnight in Farnborough’ aka
‘Midnight In Moscow’ – Василий Соловьев-Седой, Михаил(m) Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi,
                                                                        (l) Mikhail Matusovsky (1955) ‘Minnie the Moocher’ – Cab Calloway&Irving Mills (1931)
‘The Pearls’ – Jelly Roll Morton (1923)
‘Shine’ – (m) Ford Dabney, (l) Cecil Mack & Lew Brown (1910)
‘That’s A Plenty’ – (m) Lew Pollack (1914)
‘White Cliffs of Dover’ – (m) Walter Kent, (l) Nat Burton (1941)