Monthly Archives: November 2015

‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’, 27th November 2015

On Friday, 27th November 2015, we had ‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’ at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent.  Unfortunately our lovely trumpeter, MAX EMMONS was taken ill and had to pull out at the last minute (that afternoon).  However, BOB (trombonist & vocalist) managed to find a replacement and wowie, what a replacement.  We had such a treat, it was the highly popular trumpeter, ENRICO TOMASSO.  The rest of the line-up were BERNIE HOLDEN on clarinet & alto sax, JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, DAVE PRICE on banjo & guitar and GRAHAM COLLICOTT on drums.  Here are my notes about tunes played.

Enrico Tomasso (7years old) seen here playing for Louis Armstrong.

Enrico Tomasso (7years old) seen here playing for Louis Armstrong.

I start off with Louis Armstrong’s ‘Apex Blues’.  Louis is Enrico’s idol and when aged just seven, he played for Louis himself.  So as you can imagine, Enrico played some great trumpet.  Their next number was ‘Dinah’ and was sung by Enrico in a good jazz style.  Then Bob gave his usual singing performance, showing such feeling, to ‘No Regrets’.  Next came Hugh, who was, as usual, great playing piano and sang ‘Little Coquette’ – another great voice.  He comes up with fabulous tunes to surprises us and I don’t think he has sung this one here before.  It took a bit of searching for the writers cos I got the name of the song wrong! (However, I ferreted it out, Hugh – ha).  The next one was a favourite of Keith’s, namely ‘Cornet Chop Suey’.  Yes, written by Louis – fab-u-lous.   Then came ‘West End Blues’ and as you can imagine, Enrico played that super intro’ and with everyone joining it, it almost brought tears to your eyes.  Enrico also sang scat vocals – to Bernie, whilst he played his clarinet solo – another bit of fun.  They completed the evening with ‘Dippermouth Blues’ and is the number you get to hear solos from everyone, so let me tell you about the ‘engine’.  First of all, Dave, playing guitar, well it was his first appearance at the club too.  He was wonderful (he teaches guitar), who fitted in superbly and helped drive it all along, also with Graham (his first time with this band), such a great solid swinging drummer and what about lovely John, who played double bass fantastically – so powerful.  This is the number where the audience get to shout out ‘Oh Play That Thing’. Bless him, Bob tried to lead us all in with shouting it, which actually put us off – we do always know when and where to yell it, Bob.  No prompting is needed, trust me, a great audience participation we all pride ourselves with -ha.  Well done Bob, what another super evening.  Just one pointer, yes, we performed our ‘Charleston’ style line-dance – twice, but with two songs not mentioned. I haven’t given too many tunes out this time, as they are back in a couple of weeks on 18th December 2015, for our Christmas party.  Please try to pre-book, thank you.

Diane and Keith

P.S. I emailed to Bob to ask if he had mentioned Enrico appearing on TV with PRO and he responded:  Yes!  A few weeks ago, browsing through numerous TV channels I discovered a documentary entitled “The Pasadena Roof Orchestra 40th year celebration” and good it was too.

Rico was one of the featured guest musicians. (He had been member at one time) He played “Sleepy time down south” Louis would have been proud of him.

P.P.S.  I have published 7th August 2015 Newsletter about ‘Harry Strutter’s Hot Seven’ evening, (complete with photos – including one of Graham Collicott) of Keith’s birthday bash.  Sorry to be so behind with newsletters, due to personal (family) reasons, plus computer (Windows 10) aggravations.  I shall work on bringing all up-to-date in due course.  Don’t forget, to view photos in an enlarged and clearer state, just ‘double click’ on them.

‘Apex Blues’ – (conflicting) Hoagy Carmichael, Sidney Arodin & Joe Poston OR Earl Hines & Jimmie Noone (1928)
‘Cornet Chop Suey’ – Louis Armstrong (1926)
‘Dinah’ – (m) Harry Akst, (l) Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young (1923)
‘Dippermouth Blues’ – Joe ‘King’ Oliver & Louis Armstrong (1923)
‘Little Coquette’ – (m) Guy Lombardo & Johnny Green, (l) Gus Kahn (1928)
‘No Regrets’ – (m&l) Harry Tobias & Roy Ingram (1935)
‘West End Blues’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver, (l) Clarence Williams (1928)

Mardi Gras JazzBand, 20th November 2015

The MARDI GRAS JAZZBAND returned with their first class presentation to Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 20th November 2015 Trombonist ROB PEARCE (leader) was joined by LEIGH HENSON on trumpet &vocals, with JOHN ELLMER on reeds, JOHN STUART on banjo, MARC EASENER on bass and BRIAN BELL on drums.  They really love playing together, showing such flair.    I was right about needing your dancing shoes, wasn’t I?

Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club on 20th November 2015. (LtoR) John Elmer (bass clarinet), Marc Easener (sousaphone), Leigh Henson (trumpet), Rob Pearce (trombone), (hidden) Brian Bell (drums) and John Stuart (banjo). Photo by Pete Marr.

Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club on 20th November 2015. (LtoR) John Ellmer (bass clarinet), Marc Easener (sousaphone), Leigh Henson (trumpet), Rob Pearce (trombone), (hidden) Brian Bell (drums)                   and John Stuart (banjo).  Photo by Pete Marr

Anyway, here’s a little bit of how the evening went.  Leigh sang ‘You’re Driving Me Crazy’, a great one that encouraged everyone on the dance floor.  Then we had some Lindy Hoppers on the dance floor (I’m not sure of their names – will update later) and again Leigh sang ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing’.  The next number, I actually wrote ‘fabulous sultry trumpet’ from Leigh to ‘Tin Roof Blues’.  We danced our line-dance to ‘Perdido’, all great playing.  Then Leigh sang ‘Louisiana Fairytale,’ wonderful clarinet.  Seems like it was Leighs night, but oh no, everyone played beautifully.  Then John sang ‘Lulu’s Back In Farnborough’ – he meant ‘Town’ of course- ha’.  Then Rob mentioned there was to be a memorial for Alan Tewson? And played ‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’, played with great feelingThen at this point, Rob called to a friend to join them and sing a song.  His name was Barry Vegas and what a good singer!  He sang ‘Route 66’, always a favourite.  They finished up with ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, a cracking one to end with.  Everyone was up on the floor dancing.  Plus fabulous solos from everyone in the band and what a Ball!

Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club on 20th November 2015. Photo of John Elmer's musical collection of saxes & clarinets - shows his wonderful talent aye? (sousa belongs to Brian). Photo by Liz.

Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club on 20th November 2015. Photo of John Ellmer’s musical collection of saxes & clarinets – shows his wonderful talent aye?  (sousa belongs to Brian). Photo by Liz.

Our photographer Mike (and Ann) were away on a much needed cruise.  However, Peter Marr took the photo of the band, plus I asked Liz to take this photo of John’s line-up of saxes and clarinets. I thought it showed his amazing talent (he is just the same with the line-up of his percussion instruments – when playing drums here).

This certainly was ‘live’ music.

Diane and Keith

‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ – Shelton Brooks (1917)
‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)’ – (m) Duke Ellington, (l) Irving Mills (1931)
‘Just a Closer Walk With Thee’ – Traditional Gospel (pre-1860’s – possibly Afro-American)
‘Louisiana Fairytale’ – J. Fred Coots (1935)
‘Lulu’s Back In Town’ –  Al Dubin and Harry Warren (1935)
‘Perdido’ – (m) Juan Tizol (1941), (l added) Ervin Drake & Hans Lengsfelder (1944)
‘Route 66’ – Bobby Troup (1946)
‘Tin Roof Blues’ – George Brunies, Paul Mares, Ben Pollack, Leon Roppolo & Mel Stitzel (1923)
‘You’re Driving Me Crazy’ – Walter Donaldson (1930)

Brian Carrick’s Algiers Stompers, 13th November 2015

That extremely popular band from the North, BRIAN CARRICK’S ALGIERS STOMPERS, will be returning to Farnborough Jazz Club tonight, Friday 13th November 2015.  They were last here in April 2013, although Brian was also here October, last year, guesting with Red Wing Jazz Band from Sweden.  BRIAN is a reed man and joining him will be PETER WRIGHT on trumpet, CHAS HUDSON on trombone, CHRIS PERRIN on piano, BILL COLE on string bass, plus BOB MACDONALD on banjo and RAY BOWDEN on drums.  Let’s roll up the carpet for them, because they certainly know how to ‘play them ivories’!

Cheers from us jazzers, Diane and Keith

Mahogany Hall Stompers, 6th November 2015

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS have been appearing at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on and off for many years now and were back to play again for us on Friday 6th November 2015.   Band leader, BRIAN GILES (cornet) had booked TIM HUSKISSON on reeds, LES HANSCOMBE on trombone & vocals, ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT on banjo & vocals, CHRIS MARCHANT on drums and DEREK PRING on double bass.  I did tell you this was another line-up who would delight you and they did just that.  Let me tell of some of the wonderful tunes they chose to entertain you with.  One of their first numbers was ‘All the Girls Go Crazy About the Way I Walk’, which certainly put smiles on everyone’s faces.  They followed up with a great dancing tune (of King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Louis Armstrong’s fame), namely ‘Buddy’s Habits’, certainly lots of fun.  There was plenty of dancing to ‘Cushion Feet Stomp’, followed by that foot-stomping number of Ken Colyer’s, ‘Postman’s Lament’ (sung by Bob).  What about ‘Hiawatha Rag’ made famous by Acker Bilk and Terry Lightfoot – I must mention that one.  The place was buzzing by that time and Bob, with his rich baritone voice sang ‘I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues’, what a great voice he has.  A few of us had fun with ‘The Charleston’, which is one of the favourite tunes for the gang to perform our ‘Charleston’ style line-dance.  Maybe not all of our audience enjoy us doing it, but they put up with it because everyone who takes part have so much fun (you don’t even need to know how to do it, we just all try – ha!)  The band actually intermingled the tune with ‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’ – which is a number that Keith and I often sing to each other (perhaps just the title line only, ha) I wonder why.  The last number to mention is a good old favourite of many bands who play here, the one I call ‘My Dear Mr Shane’, actually called ‘Bei Mir Bist Du Shon’.  They all played fantastically, but I particularly jotted down that Les was great on trombone and Chris on drums – what a number to end on.  Unfortunately, Mike was away on holiday, so no photos this week.  Sorry Mahogony’s, there will be some next time.  Next week we have Brian Carrick’s Algiers Stompers.

Your hosts,

Diane & Keith

‘All the Girls Go Crazy about the Way I Walk’ – Kid Ory (1945) disputed earlier by Buddy Bolden (1944)?
‘Bei Mir Bist Du Shon’ – (m) Sholom Secunda, (l) Jacob Jacobs (1932). Re-written by Sammy Cahn &Saul Chaplin (1937)
‘Buddy’s Habits’ – Arnet Nelson & Charles T Straight (1923)
‘Cushion Feet Stomp’ – Clarence Williams & Louis Katzman (1927)
‘Hiawatha Rag’ – (m) Chas N Daniels aka Neil Moret (1901), (l) James O’Deo (added 1903)
‘I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues’ – Harold Arlen Ted Koehler (1933)
‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’ – (m) Sam H Sept & Bee Palmer, (l) Sidney Clare (1930)
‘Postman’s Lament’ – Jonny Wiggs (1952/1961?)
‘The Charleston – (m) James P. Johnson, (l) Cecil Mack (1923)