GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN’S ALL STARS was the band chosen for FRIDAY, 4th JULY 2014 here at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB. Trombonist GEORGE, always the entertainer, had booked PETER LEONARD on trumpet, TIM HUSKISSON on clarinet, ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT on banjo, JOHN SIRETT on double bass and BILL FINCH on drums. George et al certainly did make sure we all enjoyed ourselves, which helped Colin Dobson, with wife Jo and family, enjoy his birthday and their wedding anniversary. Colin was trumpeter with Billy Cotton’s Band Show (of “Wakey-Wake aaaay” fame). Oh, also it was the 238th anniversary of the American Independence Day, so last week I suggested a few of you Yankees might join us (I had a funny story to relate – see end of this newsletter). However, none of you came – shame, you missed a great evening and a chance to ‘lord it’ over us Limeys – ha. Anyway, to relate to the evening, some dancers were lured onto the floor to the first number ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’, which was sung by Bob (brilliant voice). They had a hiccup at one point, much to the audience’s delight, especially when George said “It was a brand new arrangement of ours” :0)! There were some great solos by all with ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ and then Bob performed some great scat to ‘Royal Garden Blues’. Afterwards, George recalled playing here some years ago with Bill Brunskill before the club’s extension (if I can find when, I will update here later). He recalled the club was half the size and the band played from the other end of the room. We were packed to the gunnels in those days – a typical smoked-filled jazz club atmosphere too (no smoke today, but still friendly atmosphere)! The number (which Bob sang) was ‘Alice Blue Gown’. By the by, the tune was written for Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter. The next number was definitely for America’s Independence Day, although written for their civil war, which was ‘Marching Through Georgia’, to which the front line played a great cavalry replica, brilliant! Another tune ‘I Get the Blues When It Rains’ is a good old favourite of George’s. He made some remark to Bob about it being another Miles Davis classic! This was followed with George playing the swannee whistle superbly for the next tune ‘My Little Bimbo Down on The Bamboo Isle’. What came next was especially played for Colin, as it was Billy Cotton’s signature tune, namely ‘Somebody Stole My Gal’ and of course we all joined in singing. The last number ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ is a favourite of Keith’s and was played fabulously by all. Sorry to keep repeating myself, but another wonderful evening to remember. George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars will be doing our Xmas Party this year (19th December 2014)
Cheers,
Diane and Keith
N.B. My funny story about American Independence Day took place in 1976 (the Bicentenary year). My family were to visit, first my sister-in-law, married to an American and living there and then to pop over to my own sister living in Canada. They both asked if I could bring some tea bags as they couldn’t get good tea in those days (although they had that year, but forgot to tell me!). So we appeared at Los Angeles customs with two boxes of 400! When asked if we had anything to declare, any food stuff etc, I replied ‘No, oh yes- tea bags”. When asked how many, (800!), he asked, much to everyone’s amusement, “Have you come for the Boston Tea Party?” He passed us straight on, ha. I know-I haven’t changed.
‘Alice Blue Gown’ – (m) Harry Tierney, (l) Joseph McCarthy (1919)
‘I Get the Blues When It Rains’ – (m) Harry Stoddard, (l) Marcy Klauber (1926)
‘Marching through Georgia’ – Henry Cray Work (1865)
‘My Little Bimbo Down on The Bamboo Isle’ – (m) Walter Donaldson, (l) Grant Clarke (1920)
‘Royal Garden Blues’ – Clarence & Spencer Williams (1919) ‘Somebody Stole My Gal’
‘South Rampart Street Parade’ – (m) Ray Bauduc & Bobby Haggart (1938), (l) Steve Allen (circa 1950)
‘My Old Kentucky Home’ – Stephen Foster (circa 1853)
‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ – (m) Doris Fisher, (l) Allan Roberts (1944)
Sorry, still haven’t been unable to update 4April Newsletter, I haven’t forgotten, just misplaced my notes!