‘New Orleans Heat’, Friday, 18th July 2014

‘NEW ORLEANS HEAT’ were here as part of their tour, entertaining us at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 18th July 2014. This highly popular 7-piece New Orleans jazz band, is led by BARRY GRUMMETT on piano with musicians GWYN LEWIS on long cornet, MIKE TAYLOR on trombone, JOHN SCANTLEBURY on reeds, TONY PEATMAN on banjo, COLIN BUSHALL on drums and HARRY SLATER on double bass. As you will see in the note at the bottom, they fare from differing parts of the UK. They had all set out from their homes early lunch time. First, four of them arrived and we began with a quintet, being Barry on piano, Mike on trombone, Harry on double bass and Tony of banjo. Trumpeter JOHN LONGLEY was in our audience and stepped up to help make it a quintet (thanks John). Their first number was ‘When You and I Were Young, Maggie’ with John Longley singing. Such a super start and showed their professionalism. Then about 9.00pm, Gwyn, Colin and John (S) arrived. They had been trapped in a traffic jam nearby on M25 for a couple of hours, but still went straight on to play for us without a break! Musicians are a very special breed, aren’t they? Colin was super special, when you think he had to somehow to set up his drums with the band still playing. Thanks boys. The band then played ‘Seems Like Old Times’, with Gwyn singing – still in his shorts from travelling. He has great legs, beautifully set off with his short black socks :0), shame he changed at the break! Wild Bill Davison became a friend of both Keith’s and David Capstick’s, when they were running the Steering Wheel Club (Wild Bill was in UK playing with the Alex Welsh band). Keith and I both thought Gwyn sounded just like Wild Bill, absolutely fantastic whilst playing ‘Sleepy Time Down South’. Then came ‘Rebecca, Rebecca, Get Your Big Legs Off of Me’, againsang by Gwyn and in which they all played their socks off (Gwyn’s too, ha) – of course frightening off the violent storm we had just witnessed outside (just like Glen Miller scared off a doodlebug in the film, hmmm)! Trombonist Mike was featured next with that beautiful Cole Porter number ‘I Love Paris’. He used mutes and was marvelous. My next number to write about was ‘Burgundy Street Blues’. It was John’s turn to be featured on clarinet. Yes, you’ve guessed, another superb piece of musicianship. Our line dancers (moi included) enjoyed dancing to ‘Angry’ (Louis Armstrong’s signature tune). John sang this one – great. ‘Goodnight Irene’ obviously was sang by all of us and their last number was a wonderful bit of boogie playing by Barry with ‘Kansas City’. We suggest this band should not to be missed, so if they ever come your way, go see them (they are presently on tour in Sweden). They were to have returned in December, but it was decided it would be wiser for them to return sometime next year in warmer weather (especially with Gwyn, on occasions, travelling from Sweden).

Please note John Longley’s own band The Halstead Hotshots, play every 2nd Tuesday each month at The Cock Inn (Halstead, Kent, TN14 7DD). You can spend a very pleasant afternoon enjoying a pint or three with possibly a meal, listening to the jazz from 2:00-4:00pm (jug collection only). They played in the garden last time, with it being a warm, sunny afternoon. (I recall Keith played there on many occasions in the 80’s with ‘Manhatton Jazz’).

Keep on enjoying your jazz.

Cheers,

Diane and Keith

N.B. Barry travels from Loughborough, Glyn from Swansea, Mike from Sheffield, John from Cardiff, Tony from Lincoln, Colin from Gloucestershire and Harry from Long Eaton in Derbyshire and then play for us.

‘Angry’ – (m) Henry & Merritt Brunies & Jules Cassard (l) Dudley Mecum (1925)
‘Burgundy Street Blues’ – George Lewis (1944)
‘Good Night Irene’ – Huddie Ledbetter (1908)
‘I Love Paris’ – Cole Porter (1953)
‘Kansas City’ – (m) Mike Stoller, (l) Jerry Leiber (1952)
‘Rebecca, Rebecca, Get Your Big Legs Off of Me’ – Pete K.H. Johnson & Big Joe Turner (circa 1938)
‘Seems Like Old Times’ – Carmen Lombardo & John Jacob Loeb (1945)
‘Sleepy Time Down South’- (m&l) Clarence Muse with brothers Leon & Otis René (1931)
‘When You and I Were Young, Maggie’ – (m) James. A Butterfield, (l) George W Hamilton (1864-66)

Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band, Friday, 11th July 2014

The great ‘LAURIE CHESCOE’S REUNION BAND’ delighted our audience (again) on Friday, 11th July 2014 at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB. Drummer Laurie reunited musicians ALLAN (‘Lord Arsenal’) BRADLEY on trumpet, piano & vocals, JOHN LEE on reeds, ROY WILLIAMS on trombone, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, JIM DOUGLAS on banjo, guitar and PETER SKIVINGTON on bass guitar/bass ukulele. The first number I noted down was ‘Alone Together’, although I remember it was great, I didn’t have time to make extra notes (either busy on ‘the door’, or enjoying a dance). The next number, I recall to begin with, we weren’t sure what to expect. It featuring Hugh with ‘Blaze Away’. However, as it commenced, I recalled that it just happened to be the ‘Saturday morning pictures’ signature song sang as ‘Members of the ABC’ – remember? We all double-time clapped and one audient (Don) emulated a bit from the two Ronnies’ comedy routine. Such a happy bit of simple fun. The next number brought out our line dancers to the floor with ‘As Long As I Live’. (It was written by Arlon and Koel’s for the last show at Cotton Club Parade in 1934 and sung by Lena Horne aged 16!). ‘Young & Healthy’ featured Hugh and Laurie making a great duet (another one written for the film ‘42nd Street’ in which Dick Powell sang). John Lee was featured next with ‘Black and Blue’ and can he play that sax – simply magic.   What a wonderful treat the next number gave us, because it featured Roy Williams this time, playing ’Body and Soul’ (it gives one goose pimples). Now the following number was ‘Carioca’ and takes me back to when I was about 14yrs old. I saw the film it was in – ctrl+click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVpFBoj-zeY (thanks Shaun Coruble).  I just loved the dancing and fell in love with the song, so much so, I placed a special order for the record from Dobells of Charing X Rd, London.   ‘I Thank You Mr Moon’ sung by ‘his Lordship’, is one of the band’s favourite and we certainly enjoy them playing it. The last number was ‘China Boy’ and everyone left with big smiles on their faces.

Update:  Sunday lunchtime T.V. 27th July – two weeks after this gig, I watched ‘Flying Down To Rio’! The film that had the ‘Carioca’ dance!!!!!! Co-incidence?  Or did Laurie know the film was going to be aired?

Cheers,

Diane and Keith

‘Alone Together’ – (m) Arthur Schwarz, (l) Howard Dietz (1932)
‘As Long As I Live’ – (m) Harold Arlen, (l) Ted Koehler (1934)
‘Black and Blue’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Harry Brooks & Andy Razaf (1929)
‘Blaze-Away’ – (m) Abraham ‘Abe’ Holzmann (1901)
’Body and Soul’ – (m) Johnny Green (l) Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton (1930)
‘Carioca’ – (m) Vincent Youmans, (l) Edward Eliscu & Gus Khan (1933)
‘China Boy’ – Phil Boutelje & Dick Winfree (1922)
‘I Thank You, Mr. Moon’ – Abel Baer, Dolly Morse & Dave Oppenheim (1931)
‘Young and Healthy’ – (m) Harry Warren, (l) Al Dubin (1933)

George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars, 4/07/2014

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!

Bill Bailey’s All Star Jazz Band, 27/06/2014

BILL BAILEY’S ALL STAR JAZZ BAND came from Burton-on-Trent to entertain us at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB, Kent on Friday, 27th June 2014. Trumpeter/vocalist RICHARD “BILL” BAILEY is full of fun and it was a treat to have his band lighten up the week for us. I’m sure we also showed the guys what fun we are here at Farnborough, Kent (“down south”) with our appreciation of their show. Bill brought with him TERRY McGRATH (trombone), ROGER KEAY (reeds), ALAN BIRKENHEAD (banjo/guitar), STEVE PETERS (bass), KEITH CHAPLIN (percussion) and last, but by no means least, SHEILA FAWKES (vocalist). They started the evening with ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’. What a presence and I don’t mean how they looked, although they looked first-rate too. It is always hard to make an impression when you are new to a venue, but they certainly did. ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was played and goodness WHAT A POWERFUL VOICE! She didn’t need a ‘mike’. Yes, I mean Sheila’s voice. She looked so young and glamourous and what a lovely girl too (spit). She then sang, ‘Some of These Days’ more softly, which showed her versatility. Bill added some fabulous scat vocals too. He also played swannee whistle and I noted some great trombone playing from Terry. They also played ‘Washington & Lee Swing’, the University fight song and I suspect they played it because of the World Cup football series, as this tune is often sang at football matches. ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ was another great number, in which Bill, again on swannee whistle, came out from the front of the band and played amid the dancers, great fun. Another number I jotted down was ‘Bugle Boy March’ and oh what a great bit of trumpet playing from Bill when (at the end) he played standing on a chair, as if playing an assembly recall from a castle turret, or high on a hill, just beautiful. Then came one of my all-time favourites ‘Christopher Columbus’, hmmm excellent. Sheila and Bill sang in harmony to that Latin American number ‘Something Stupid’. I just wrote ‘Yes, yes, yes’! That says it all! Now my last choice of numbers to list was ‘Tiger Rag’. Keith (Chaplin – not Grant!) played super drum solos to introduced the tune and also at the end. There was plenty of dancing, plus plenty of smiling all evening, another success.

‘Live’ Jazz, don’t you just love it?

Cheers,

Diane and Keith

N.B. Terry is from Birmingham, Roger from Crewe, Alan from Leicestershire, Steve from Castle Donington, Keith from Barrow-on-Sour (Nr Leicestershire) and Sheila is also from Birmingham – well they can’t help it, someone has to live in those placesJ!

‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ – (m) Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields (1917) (l’s added 1950 by Johnny Mercer)
‘Bugle Boy March’ – Francis Meyers ((1907)
‘Christopher Columbus’ – Glen Miller, Joe Garland & Andy Razaf (1959)
‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ – Shelton Brooks (1917)
‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’’ – Jimmy Cox (1923)
‘Some of These Days’ – Shelton Brooks (1909)
‘Something Stupid’ – Clarence Carson Parks II (1966)
‘Tiger Rag’ – written & played by Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917) (many others claim!)
‘Washington & Lee Swing’ – (m) Mark W Sheafe (1905), Thorton W Allen (wrote notes 1909), (l) Clarence A (Tod) Robbins (1910)

Lord Napier Hot Shots, 20/6/2014

THE LORD NAPIER HOT SHOTS appeared for the first time at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday 20th June 2014. The members of the band were leader MIKE DUCKWORTH (trombone), MIKE JACKSON (trumpet), PAT GLOVER (reeds), LYNN SAUNDERS (banjo), MICK SCRIVEN (double bass & bass sax) and ARTHUR FRYATT (drums) [‘live’ – private joke, see below]. Five band members play with the British Airways band and some play regularly with The Lord Napier’s band, one of South London’s most famous jazz pubs (the original house band was Bill Brunskill’s Jazzmen for very many years). Anyhow, the jazz was lovely and they chose to play (amongst others) such numbers as Ruth Etting’s hit ‘All of Me’, sung by Pat, with Mick (S) playing Bass sax (Mike (J) called it a ‘drainpipe’). ‘Basin Street Blues’ was another great number, with Mike (J) singing (he’s got a lovely voice) and I noted Mike (D) playing brilliant trombone. Then Arthur sang next with ‘Sweet Sue, Just You’, who also has a great jazz voice. Lynn played a fabulous banjo solo. What came next was Arthur, who just shone ‘doing the business’ on washboard of course, with ‘Coney Island Washboard’. Lynn sang (yep, another great voice) performing ‘All I Do Is Dream of You’. Mike (J), mentioning another venue bringing out umbrellas when they played the next number he introduced, namely ‘Bourbon Street Parade’. Immediately, a ‘regular’, Steve rushed out to his car, produced some umbrellas and four or five of us did our ‘parade’, just a lovely bit of fun. Then Arthur changed again to playing washboard to ‘Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’. Pat was featured next with ‘Smiles’. Not many people know Pat was an absolutely brilliant whistler, but after having some dental treatment, he has not been able to. I requested him to try, but he was so unsure he would be able to, so didn’t want to upset anyone. However, he did perform fabulously on clarinet instead. Well done Pat. To continue … once again a star, Arthur played a wonderful drum solo to ‘Rosetta’, with the whole band, giving their all. What a happy evening of ‘live’ jazz and I came away (as I’m sure others did) feeling set up for the next week. Thanks guys.

Diane & Keith

P.S. Arthur is a very special person in my eyes. I must mention some time ago, I heard Benny Cohen had passed away, a wonderful trumpeter, who had played for us many times. I was about to announce this, when somebody told me Arthur (who was in Mike Daniels’ Delta Jazz Band) had also passed away. Unfortunately, a couple, who were friends of both Arthur and Mike, were in our audience and got in touch with Mike straight away. Saturday morning, the phone went and a voice said ‘Hi Diane, its Arthur here”. “Oh” says I, “Where are you calling from, up top, or down below?” I was so lucky Arthur took it so well, he could have blown my head off, but we had a good laugh instead. That’s musicians for you!

‘All I Do Is Dream of You’ – (m&l) Nacio Herb Brown (m), Arthur Freed (1934)
‘All of Me’ – Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons (1931)
‘Basin Street Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1926)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘Coney Island Washboard’ – (m) Hampton Durand & Jerry Adams, (l) Ned Nester & Aude
‘Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’ – (m) Billy Meyers & Elmer Schoebel, (l) Gus Kahn & Ernie Erdman (1924)
‘Rosetta’ – (m&l) Earl Hines & Henri Wood (1933)
‘Smiles’ – (m) Lee S. Roberts, (l) J. Will Callahan (1917)
‘Sweet Sue, Just You’ – (m) Victor Young, (l) Will J. Harris (1928)
N.B. You can find a rare radio 1937 recording of a slower version of ‘Smiles’ by Judy Garland aged 15yrs on You Tube. Just click on: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciHyZqy0R98

Mahogany Hall Stompers, 13/06/2014

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS’ entertained us on Friday, 13th June 2014 at the Farnborough Jazz Club. Band leader & trumpeter BRIAN GILES had booked BRIAN WHITE on clarinet, REX ODELL on trombone, FRED ETHERINGTON on banjo, EDDIE JOHNSON on double bass and completing the engine was CHRIS MARCHANT on drums. The World Cup had started and I asked if you could please record it and come to the club – well Keith had to miss it! I promise I wouldn’t divulge the results on the microphone (like I did last time Peter) Oops! Some of you came and what another super evening of music we had. It started with Rex singing (Louis Armstrong style) ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’. I loved the little bit of fun Rex instilled popping in the line “Rich as Brian Giles” (instead of Rockefeller). They continued with ‘Jazz Me Blues’. I noticed Rex inserting a quote of Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, just great. Then he sang ‘A Kiss to Build a Dream On’. The dance floor became packed – Oh yes, romance is not dead. Another good ol’ trad favourite, ‘Mama’s Gone, Goodbye’ followed in which Eddie gave us a super bass solo.  The whole band made a wonderful job with ‘Tangerine’ sang by Rex (in his own voice!). Brian (W) also has a good jazz voice and sang the next number, ‘Jelly Roll Blues’ (said to be the first jazz number). I must also mention ‘Bei Mir Bist Du Shon’, or as I call it – ‘My Dear Mr Shane’ (I know, no class! Who said that?) It is an often played number as it is such a favourite of many audiences, Mahogany did it justice. Brian played a wonderful intro, Rex sang it and they all played fantastically, with a great solo from Chris. ‘When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ was another song sung by Rex and the evening was completed with ‘What a Wonderful World’ with Rex’s brilliant ‘Louis’ imitation again. Oh, another lovely evening.

Diane and Keith, Jazz lovers signing off for another week.

‘A Kiss to Build a Dream On’ – (m) Harry Ruby, (l) Bert Kalmar & Oscar Hammerstein II (1935)
‘Bei Mir Bist Du Shon’ – (m) Sholom Secunda, (l) Jacob Jacobs (1932)
                                 Re-written by Sammy Cahn &Saul Chaplin (1937)
‘Jazz Me Blues’ – Tom Delaney (1921)
‘Jelly Roll Blues’ – ‘Jelly Roll Morton (1910)
‘Mama’s Gone, Goodbye’ – A J Piron & Peter Bocage (1924)
‘On The Sunny Side of the Street’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1930)
‘Rhapsody in Blue’ – George Gershwin (1924)
‘What a Wonderful World’ – Bob Thiele & George D Weiss (1968)
‘When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ – Irvin Berlin (1912)

Martyn Brothers Jazz Band, 6/6/2014

Last week, we said the MARTYN BROTHERS JAZZ BAND were going to be here at our Farnborough Jazz Club. Stating “Oh yes, they are back again this Friday, 6th June 2014, This highly talented young band has always been one of my favorites. Most of you know these two brothers are band leader, Barry Martyn’s sons, who has lived in New Orleans for many years. As I said last time, Emile and Ben spent many years there too (Harold ‘Duke’ Dejan was Emile’s godfather). Co-leaders BEN MARTYN on double bass/vocals and EMILE MARTYN on drums, have booked TOM KINCAID on piano, KARL HIRD on reeds, JEFF WILLIAMS on trombone (it will be nice to see you again Jeff after all these years) and JOHN RUSCOE on guitar. If any of you are concerned about losing Trad Jazz, as we are all getting long in the tooth now (oh I forgot, I’m only 17!), well here are the young boys who will keeping it going. This band always produce some exciting jazz, so let’s give them a first class audience and how about some of you youngsters turning up too – they’re quite good-looking, :0)”

Well they did it again! We certainly had a great evening. This particular Friday was the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, so they slipped in some specials for a tribute, such as ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ – 1st world war fame may it be (sung by Ben, with of course, our audience) and ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, plus Ben’s own composition, ‘I’ll Watch the Moon’ [Ben says it’s his version, lyrically at least of ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’. He wanted to write a song with the sentiment of the old WW2 songs about leaving somebody behind, being far away, but both looking up at the same moon from different parts of the world and connecting with each other]. By the way, when Ben left the house on Friday, he saw a little poppy growing on his drive which wasn’t there the night before. Back to the evening, the first number I noted was ‘Running Wild’. They all had fabulous solos (Karl played tenor sax), which was rip-roaring when they all played together, so although they played it last time, I just had to mention it again. Jeff has a strong – good ol’ earthy jazz voice, evident when he sang ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’, great stuff. Then Emile produced some brilliant and elegant drumming to ‘Summertime’, (sung by Ben) again played last time, and why not when you play it that well! Karl was featured on tenor sax with Jeff singing ‘Caledonia’, oh what a wonderful musician Karl is. Now last time they were here, Ben asked if any of us knew what was at No.1 in the hit parade on the day of our birth. Keith’s was ‘Cheek to Cheek’ (a big hit for both Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra), so possibly why they played it this evening, of course plenty of dancing. They were all really fabulous (Karl on soprano sax) with ‘Tiger Rag’. Talk about rip-roaring again (sorry, can’t help repeating myself). Ben also sang ‘The Twist’ (made famous by Chubby Checker). There was plenty of dancing, but I’m so glad I was otherwise occupied, so didn’t need to hurt myself, ha! Tom and John’s feature song, ‘You Never Can Tell’, wowie, they were spectacular, so couldn’t leave this one out without a mention. Well, I really have gone on, haven’t I? Their next gig will be 5th September 2014.

Nothing like ‘live’ music to gladden the cockles of your heart, aye.

Diane & Keith

‘Caldonia’ – Louis Thomas Jordan (1945)
‘Cheek to Cheek’ by Irving Berlin (1935)
‘It’s A Long Way to Tipperary’ – (m/l) Henry James ‘Harry’ Williams, (l) Jack Judge (1912)
‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ – (m) Sammy Fain, (l) Irving Kahal (1938)
‘I’ll Watch the Moon’ – Ben Martyn (2004)
‘On The Sunny Side of the Street’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1930)
‘Running Wild’ – (m) A. Harrington Gibbs, (l) Joe Grey & Leo Woods (1922)
‘Summertime’ – (m) Geroge Gershwin, (l) DuBose Heyward (1933/34)
‘The Twist’ – (m) Dave Appell, (l) Kal Mann (1959)
‘Tiger Rag’ – written & played by Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917) (many others claim!)
‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – origins unknown (derived from (l) Katherine Purvis, (m) James Milton Black 1896) re-publ 1927.
‘(You Never Can Tell) C’est La Vie’ – Chuck Berry (c1960 released 1964)

Bill Phelan’s Muskrat Ramblers, 30/05/2014

‘BILL PHELAN’S MUSKRAT RAMBLERS’ played for us at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 30th May 2014. Leader BILL PHELAN, trumpeter, had booked ALAN CRESSWELL on reeds (Alan was with Max Collie Rhythm Aces for 18months), JOHN HOWLETTon trombone, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass, JOHNNY MCCALLUM on banjo (who was with The Chris Barber Big Band for 22years), plus PAUL NORMAN on drums. I missed the first number, but my first note was of the tune ‘1919 March’, a rousing number that we all recognise when it is played and has been played by so many top bands, although I was unable to find out the true origin, hence ‘traditional’ for composer and date. If anyone can enlighten us, please email any information, thanks. The band continued with an ODJB famed number, ‘Clarinet Marmalade Blues’, another rip-roaring number too. Following on, both Johnny and Andy gave great performances to ‘See See Rider’ (or ‘C.C. Rider’). [Alan and Johnny both featured with Django Reinhardt famed number, but have to update later – wonderful stuff. Another number, which John H sang to, was ‘All the Girls Go Crazy about the Way I Walk’. Paul’s brilliant drum solo resulted with his drum stick flying out of his hand, through the air, hitting John H in the chest at such a force, nearly leaving us without a trombonist- ha! (Of course John was ok). ‘Ciribiribin’ followed, which they dedicated to me (nice). Bill had read my write-up about its composer Jack Lawrence (with Harry James) – see our newsletter 15Nov2014. I wrote ‘brilliant’ against the next number to mention. It featured Alan, namely ‘Saint Phillip Street Breakdown’. Likewise the next Sidney Bechet number, ‘Dans les Rues d’Antibes’, they all played marvellously. [This number brings back fond memories of when Keith played with dear and talented friends, Mack White and Charlie Connor]. The last number I wish to mention featured Bill. He is such a lovely unassuming person, which shone out big time, when he played flugelhorn to Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘Stardust’. It is a beautiful song and Bill gave it wonderful justice. Their next date with us will be 3rd October 2014.

Trad jazz – always fun – keep it ‘Live’!

Diane & Keith

‘All the Girls Go Crazy about the Way I Walk’ – Kid Ory (1945) disputed earlier by Buddy Bolden (1944)?
‘Ciribiribin’ – (m&l) Harry James & Jack Lawrence (1939) (based on melody by Alberto Pestalozza -1889)
‘Clarinet Marmalad’ – Larry Shields & Henry Ragas (1918)
‘Dans les Rues d’Antibes’ – Sidney Bechet (c1952)
‘See See Rider’ (also ‘C.C.Rider’) – Ma Rainey & Lena Arant (1924)
‘Stardust’ – (m) Hoagy Carmichael (1927), (l) Mitchell Parish (with Hoagy) (1929)
‘Saint Phillip Street Breakdown’ – George Lewis (c1950?)
‘1919 March’ – traditional

‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, 23/05/2014

‘BARRY PALSER’S SUPER SIX’ were back to give us their own special entertainment on Friday, 23rd May 2014 here at our Farnborough Jazz Club. Band leader BARRY (trombonist/vocals) (who ran Savoy Jazz Band for more than 55years) had booked ALAN GRESTY on trumpet/vocals (28years with Monty Sunshine Band), JOHN CROCKER on reeds/vocals (34years with The Chris Barber Band), JIM DOUGLAS* on banjo/guitar, HARVEY WESTON on double bass (both with The Alex Welsh Band – Jim 18years & Harvey 6years) and GRAHAM COLLICOTT (drums). They certainly were a contending jazz band to match last week’s and did we enjoy another brilliant evening, we certainly did! As I remarked last week, obviously, all the bands (that appear, or have appeared here) have their own brilliance, bringing their own interpretation of jazz we love, with absolutely fabulous traditional jazz, producing a great club ambiance. So what did they play? Well, they started the evening off with ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, a great favourite (I have no concrete evidence of when Paul Barbarin wrote it, hence circa 1953). The next number, ‘Riverboat Shuffle’ was chosen by everyone to do our line-dance. Barry called us “The Farnborough Jazz Formation Team”, caw Barry, we could end up next year on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, ha. He then introduced John who sang ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’. He continued to say John is a fantastic musician, very funny with the jokes and a super singer – a good all-rounder, just like Ian Botham is to cricket. John also carried on to feature the next number, that beautiful song ‘Tangerine’. John showed his wonderful talent playing tenor sax. A hard act to follow, but Alan did so, making a smashing job with singing ‘Baby Won’t You Please Come Home’. What happened next was Barry telling everyone how when I phoned to confirm who would be in the band, he jokingly answered “What, are we with you soon”? With one personal problem after another, I really thought ‘Oh no, I’ve got everything wrong’! So to make up for the shock, Barry dedicated the next number as ‘Christopher Columbus’. Bless him for remembering it was one of my favourites. The next number was ‘Fidgety Street’ great to dance to.   Barry has an excellent jazz voice, shown when he sang ‘Louisiana’, another favourite jazz ‘standard’. They finished up with ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’, completing yet another fabulous evening. Their next date here is 29th August 2014.

Diane & Keith

* Jim has written a book called ‘Tunes, Tours and Travel-it is’. It’s about eighteen years of facts, faces and fun with the Alex Welsh Band, available through Amazon for $13.50, or email us for Jim’s contact details, if you live in England.

N.B. At one point during the evening, Barry mentioned someone had argued the point of who composed a particular number (Barry proving to be correct). Not sure who that was, but I hope if I ever get something wrong, someone will please let me know. I usually try to find original song manuscripts, but not always possible, so please correct me as and when. Thanks.

‘Baby Won’t You Please Come Home’ – (m) Charles Warfield, (l) Clarence Williams (1919)
‘Back Home Again in Indiana’ – Ballard MacDonald & James F. Hanley (1917)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘Christopher Columbus’ – Glen Miller, Joe Garland & Andy Razaf (1959)
‘Fidgety Feet’ – Nick LaRocca & Larry Shields (1919)
‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’ – (M) Fred E. Ahlert, (l) Joe Young (1935)
‘Louisiana’ – (m) James Johnson, (l) Andy Razaf & Bob Schaefer (1928)
‘Riverboat Shuffle’ – (m) Hoagy Carmichael, (l) Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish & Dick Voynow (1924)
‘Tangerine’ – (m) Victor Schertzinger, (l) Johnny Mercer (1941)