PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND played on FRIDAY, 10th JANUARY 2014, here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB for my ‘17th’ birthday celebration and thanks, they did me proud. The leader of this 7-pce band is our long-term friend ROBIN COOMBS, who plays clarinet. With him was NORMAN BULL on trombone, DAVE BARNES on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass and LYNN SAUNDERS on banjo and vocals. Robin also had two special guest stars, namely PAUL HIGGS on trumpet and ALAN CLARKE on drums. Please check them out in the ‘Band’s CV’s page (also go to the bottom of the page – you will see a photo of Keith in his first band with Norman, both as teenagers!). I mentioned last week that I was sure you would want to get out for a bit of jazz and dancing after such a long break (being a year ago, ha!!!) I also mentioned that we hoped you would all be fully recovered from the dreaded lurgies many of you seem to have, or have had! I also said what a great party we had for Christmas and that with no jazz on Friday (4th), it seemed really weird how we did not feel ‘hung over’ the next day, plus no sore feet! Anyway, I was really looking forward to possibly having another great party, especially as last year’s 70th had been cancelled (due to the same virus) and before I could even send out invitations too. So I suggested having a ‘Gangsters & Moles’ party (optional) as my family would be coming dressed in party wear. Yes, I know, I made the same error last time we had that theme. I meant to say ‘Gangsters & Molls’ of course (last time, Steve came in a Mole mask! hmmm). Well, the evening was fanbeeptastic. They began the evening with ‘I’ve Found a New Baby’, a lovely tempo. The next number featured Robin on clarinet and Norman on trombone, called ‘As Long As I Live’. Next came ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’. The band’s usual trumpeter, Dave Ware, has had a tooth extraction, which as you know, will prevent him from playing until it heals, so he came to listen. The guys asked him to sing their next number ‘I Want a Little Girl to Call My Own’. Dave has a lovely voice, so it was nice he showed up. Their next tune played was ‘Indiana’ (Back Home In). This number was played in the ‘The Gene Krupa Story’ and ‘The Five Pennies’ films. Another number to mention was sung by Dave (B) and he got our audience to participate, with a great fun ‘Fats Waller’ number called ‘Twenty-Four Robbers’. This song was also recorded by Glen Miller with Bing Crosby singing. Then came a real treat with Paul featured on trumpet, called ‘Stardust’. What a lovely number it is and certainly Paul was wonderful. Joan in the audience requested that lovely tune, called ‘Sweet Lorraine’. This was followed with Duke Ellington’s fabulous number called ‘Caravan’, in which Alan performed an incredible drum solo, lasting about three minutes, mind blowing stuff – lovely jubbly. They finished up with a little bit of ‘Bye Bye Blues’. One of the highlights of the evening for me was Roger allowing my seven (nearly eight) year old granddaughter to assist him with his double bass playing during his solo (I hope to publish a bit of it – or a photo later). The band will be back on 18th April 2014 for Easter (Good Friday). Thank you everyone, for making my evening.
Don’t forget ‘Keep jazz ‘live’, so see you all next Friday.
Diane and Keith