Tony Pitt’s All Stars, 16th May 2014

TONY PITT’S ALL STARS at Farnborough Jazz Club on 16th May 2014, was truly a night to remember. In Keith’s words, this superb band featuring some of the top musicians in British Jazz. The line-up included the powerful trumpet of DENNY ILETT, the top class trombone playing of DAVE HEWITT and the fabulous soprano and tenor sax of AL NICHOLS. A great front line, driven along by a swinging rhythm section, which included ANDY LAWRENCE’s strong double bass playing, JOHN ELLMER’s fantastic drumming and leader Tony Pitt- solid as a rock- on banjo. This was a memorable performance at the Farnborough Jazz Club, with the band looking smart and professional, bringing back visions of the great Alex Welsh band of the 70’s and 80’s (we should have recorded it). I missed jotting down their first number as people were pouring in, but recall John produced a fabulous drum solo in ‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’. Also Denny sang ‘Tin Roof Blues’ (with Al playing soprano sax). Then Denny performed a beautiful solo intro to the next number ‘Maggie’. He also sang it and then ended it in the same way, so wonderful. Dave had a feature, playing ‘If I had My Way Dear’, what a performer, obviously brilliantly backed by the ‘engine’. They also backed Denny, who featured with ‘Bad Penny Blues’ (Denny sang it too). I don’t need words to describe Denny, he’s just the best. ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’ was another great number to which they all excelled. Al also had a feature number, ‘Avalon’, playing tenor sax, another brilliant musician. Nobody wanted the evening to end, but they chose ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ to do so, obviously just the right number AND I did manage to record it on my old mobile phone. I did say last week, to expect some incredible jazz, I also said, one definitely NOT to be missed as these musicians are certainly top-notch. I was right, what a night. The band were steaming. They enjoyed what they were producing themselves, so much so, they forgot to stop and played on till 11.45pm and I’m sure they could have played on and on. Tony’s band is back with us on 15th August 2014, to celebrate Keith’s birthday.

This week, Friday 23rd May 2014, we will be featuring a band of similar quality and style – BARRY PALSER’S SUPER SIX, so come along and enjoy a great evening of Happy Jazz!

Diane and Keith

‘Avalon’ – Al Jolson, Vincent Rose & Buddy DeSylva (1920)
‘Bad Penny Blues’ – Humphrey Lyttelton (1956)
‘Big Butter and Egg Man’ – Percy Venable (1926)
‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’ – Louis Alter & Eddie DeLange (1947)
‘If I had My Way Dear’ – (m) James Kendis, (l) Lou Klein (1913)
‘Tin Roof Blues’ – George Brunies, Paul Mares, Ben Pollack, Leon Roppolo & Mel Stitzel (1923)
‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – origins unknown (derived from (m) James Milton Black, (l) Katherine Purvis 1896) re-publ 1927.
‘When You and I Were Young, Maggie’ – (p) George W. Johnson (1820), (m) James A. Butterfield (1866)

‘Chez Chesterman’s Band Of Brothers’, 9th May 2014

‘CHEZ CHESTERMAN’S BAND OF BROTHERS’ entertained us at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 9th May 2014. Band leader CHEZ (trumpet & vocals) had booked JOHN CROCKER (clarinet), GEOFF COLE (trombone & vocals), ROY JAMES (guitar), TERRY LEWIS (double bass) and BILL FINCH (drums). Our evening began with the building refusing us entrance. Yes, you read correctly! The band could have played on the patio, but at the moment the weather is not compatible, plus we couldn’t even get access to the patio either! My whole week had been rather packed with stressful events (including neighbours telling me at 7.30am the house was billowing smoke out of the roof (the roof belonging to the house I was looking after!) Then, needing a carpenter to secure the broken door after a burglary, I was not ready for the fact we were locked out of our club. Obviously panics ensued, but the evening was saved by the kind heart of another key-holder (asleep when I called) rushing to our aid. The band rallied round and gave us all a beautiful evening, playing their hearts out. I tasted my own medicine and joined in, dancing my toes to absolute pain. I’m always saying your problems can be shelved for the evening when you come out to enjoy the music. Anyway, my first number to mention is ‘Smiles’, rather an apt number considering the beginning of the evening. Then came ‘Snake Rag’ and what a brilliant performance by all of them. Geoff, who has a wonderful voice, sang ‘I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket’ (famously sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the film ‘Follow the Fleet’) and with such a number, there was obviously audience participation. The next number to tell you about is ‘Savoy Blues’. It was introduced by Chez as written by ‘Kid’ Ory especially for Geoff. Is this an in-house joke, Chez? I rather think so, as that would make Geoff at least 100yrs old! Ha. However, the way Geoff plays that ‘bone, he certainly has the talent to be honoured by ‘Kid’. Frank Sinatra had a big hit with this next one, ‘Give Me Five Minutes More’. Again, there was lots of dancing, with the audience joining in once more, singing along with Chez. John added a remark about calling Geoff “One Direction Cole” when they played ‘Louisiana’. Don’t you just love the banter that goes on between musicians during ‘Live’ gigs, you don’t get that on many C.D’s. Louis Armstrong’s famed ‘St. James Infirmary Blues’ was sung by Chez and was absolutely fabulous – lots of dancing. They also played ‘Blue Bells Goodbye’ (a tune recorded by Ken Colyer). We did our line-dance to ‘Downtown Strutter’s Ball’. Afterwards, John called out he wondered where the ‘Roly Polys’ had gone to – ha, thanks for the compliment John, they were great dancers. If you want to hear more, they are at Welling Jazz Club lunchtimes, every first Sunday of the month.

Enjoy jazz – and don’t think it is old fashion to do so, most TV adverts are backed with jazz!!!!!

Diane & Keith

‘Blue Bells Goodbye’ – (m) Theodore F. Morse, (l) Edward Madden (1904)
‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ – Shelton Brooks (1917)
‘I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket’ – Irving Berlin (1936)
‘Louisiana’ – (m) James Johnson, (l) Andy Razaf & Bob Schaefer (1928)
‘Give Me Five Minutes More’ – (m) Jule Styne, (l) Sammy Cahn (1946)
‘Savoy Blues’ – Edward ‘Kid’ Ory (1927)
‘Smiles’ – Lee S. Roberts (1918)
‘Snake Rag’ – (m) Joe ‘King’ Oliver & Armand A J Piron (1923)
‘St. James Infirmary Blues’ – American Folk origin (18th century)

Mike Barry’s Uptown Gang, 2nd May 2014

MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG was the band here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on 2nd May 2014 Band leader Mike (trumpet/vocals) had booked GOFF DUBBER on clarinet/saxes/vocals, ‘WHISPERING’ MIKE HOLT on trombone/vocals, GRAHAM BARTON on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on string bass and GRAHAM COLLICOTT on drums. The evening was another success, with such songs as Louis Armstrong’s hit number, ‘East Coast Trot’, (they played it up-tempo) and ‘Fidgety Feet’. Keith has an infected toe, so Mike introduced this tune as ‘Fidgety Foot’. It is cheeky subtle one-liners like this that make our evenings at Farnborough. The atmosphere is always fun and the music always professional, with bands like Mike’s. Some of their repertoire included their own version of ‘Isle of Capri’ which was excellent. To follow was the wonderful and unique sounds of ‘Whispering Mike’s vocals with ‘Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams’ (a Bing Crosby hit). ‘Dippermouth Blues’ is a great jazz favourite, with audiences calling out “Oh play that thing”, however, we did our line-dance, so missed that moment of jumping to ones feet at that point. Loved the dancing though, always lots of fun. The next number ‘The Gettysburg Address’ was terrific and must mention impressive drumming by Graham. Mike featured next, accompanied by Roger and Graham with ‘Davenport Blues’. What a beautiful effort too. My last number is ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ and just loved the trio harmonising vocals of both Mikes and Goff. It finished another wonderful evening with everybody leaving wearing huge smiles on their faces and that is what it’s all about, always good jazz.

See you next week.

Diane and Keith

‘Davenport Blues’ – Bix Beiderbecke (1925) – named after his hometown.
‘Dippermouth Blues’ – Joe ‘King’ Oliver & Louis Armstrong
‘East Coast Trot’ – Jimmy Blythe (1926) (Johnny Dodds may have co-written)
‘Fidgety Feet’ – Nick LaRocca & Larry Shields (1919)
‘Isle of Capri’ – (m) Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams), (l) by Jimmy Kennedy (1934)
‘The Gettysburg Address’ – (m) Peter Morgan Thall (1957), (l) Abraham Lincoln (1863)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams’ – (m) Harry Barris, (l) Ted Koehler & Billy Moll (1931)

Golden Eagle Jazz Band, Friday, 25 April 2014

How about the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND who were with us once again at our Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday 25th April 2014?  I know I’m just going to upset you though, if you missed them!  Another fabulous evening of fun entertainment.  The audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did the band.  Their leader, KEVIN SCOTT has a wonderful sense of humour all the time and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a laugh, as well as appreciating talented musicians giving their all.  Kevin, who plays tenor banjo, had MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums.  Honestly, this is another wonderfully popular band.  I mentioned last week that at one time, I had a quick peek into their own website, just to check name spellings [www.gejb.webeden.co.uk  – click on ‘Home-The Golden Eagle Jazz Band’].  I had forgotten we had posted a comment to the band.    Most likely adapted from our own website, but temporarily lost, so I asked you to check it out to remind yourselves of their very first evening here (when I get a moment, I’ll try to retrieve all lost newsletters from the past!).   As for this Friday, I now have to decide what numbers to mention and it won’t be easy, as I picked so many!  Well, they began the evening with ‘Red Wing’.  Kevin introduced it, saying it had some reference to a battle tune – about the time of the American Civil War.  Ken Colyar recorded it in 1955.  What a great start!  Then came a Paul Whiteman number ‘There’s Yes! Yes! In Your Eyes’ and was sung by Mike (another good jazz singer).  I always love to mention ‘Ciribiribin’, whenever it is played, because when looking it up a couple of years back, I got to make contact with the person who helped Jack Lawrence (co-composer) to write one of his book.  Jack was still writing to fans almost right up to his death aged 97yrs, brilliant.  Colin Dobson and his wife Jo and family came to see the band.  Colin being part of the trumpet section in the Billy Cotton Band Show (remember ‘Wakey, Wakey’ fame).  The boys played Billy Cotton’s signature tune ‘Somebody Stole My Gal’.  Mike sang it and of course we all sang along too.  Anther tune well worth a mention was ‘Lord, Lord, Lord’, because they played it a storm, really swinging.  I had written down ‘Brilliant’.  They are a sitting band, but the front line (including Kevin) stood up to play mid-stream – quite effective.   Alan was featured next with George Lewis’ signature tune ‘Burgundy Street’.  Alan was superb (accompanied by Mike and Kevin), I don’t think there was a sound from the audience, whilst he played, but huge applause ensued.  Another wonderful bit of fun was when they played ‘I Thank You Mr Moon’, because Mike sang the main part, with Kevin and Alan joining in doing their ‘Boswell Sisters’ act, definitely their party piece, ha.  My last number to mention is ‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’.  What a great job Kevin did singing it too and of course once again the audience joined in.  Just a little added anecdote, before the audience arrived, I asked Kevin if he could give me a list of numbers they might be playing (so I could just put my remarks only).  When he gave it to me, I said I don’t suppose you will stick to it, but it will help me, to which he replied ‘How very dare you’ (Katherine Tate style)!  Mike chimed in with ‘I expect she wants to give it to George Tidiman’ – lovely humour.  Anyway, wherever this band plays, be sure to go along.  You certainly won’t regret it, they are such fun and very enthusiastic.  Their next date with us is Friday 1st August 2014, please put a note in your diaries to come.

We aim to please with ‘Live’ music.

Diane and Keith

 

‘Burgundy Street Blues’ – George Lewis (1944)
‘Ciribiribin’ – (m&l) Harry James & Jack Lawrence (1939) (based on melody by Alberto Pestalozza -1889)
‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream’ – Howard Johnson, Billy Moll & Robert A. K. King (1927)
‘I Thank You, Mr. Moon’ – Abel Baer, Dolly Morse & Dave Oppenheim (1931)
‘Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me’ – Traditional Gospel song
‘Red Wing’ – (m) Kerry Mills, (l) Thurland Chattaway (1907)
‘Somebody Stole My Gal’ – Leo Wood (1918)
‘There’s Yes! Yes! In your Eyes’ – (m) Joseph H. Santly, (l) Cliff Friend (1924)

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band, Good Friday, 18th April 2014

PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND certainly entertained us on Easter Good Friday, 18th April 2014 here at the Farnborough Jazz Club.  We received a few phone calls during the week, from people who haven’t been before, checking if we had jazz on Friday, being Easter.  They also asked if it gets busy, but as we told them, Good Friday is always an unknown quantity, as it is ‘family time’.  Many people go away, or have their family come to stay and can’t get out to the jazz.  So it was nice to have a wonderful turnout – always nice for a band to have a decent crowd to play to.   Leader ROBIN COOMBS had his excellent line-up with PAUL HIGGS on trumpet, BILL TODD on trombone, DAVE BARNES on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass, JOHN STUART on banjo & guitar and ALAN CLARKE on drums.  Last week, I suggested as the weather is beautiful, to do your gardening during the day, then mosey on over to us for some enjoyable dancing to jazz.  Beautiful, because looks like you all took heed of me, hmmm.  Once again, Robin was a little worried the dancing didn’t commence straight away, but it does always takes a drink (or two) to settle in and it wasn’t long before we were all up and leaping about.  Anyway, it is nice to just listen as well, especially with such tunes as Benny Goodman’s ‘A Smooth One’ and ‘You Took Advantage of Me’.  Another number, sung by Bill, was ‘I’m Confessin’ That I Love You’ and I noted Paul played lovely (muted) trumpet.  Bix Beiderbecke’s hit, ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’, certainly was one for the ‘fast’ dancers, super.   A tune definitely worth a mention was ‘The Charleston’ to which our line-dancers performed a Charleston dance – well, sort of!  Then Paul gave a wonderful intro to ‘West End Blues’ (famed by Louis Armstrong) with solos fabulously played by everyone.  Next, I noted one of Chris Barber’s hits called ‘Stevedore Stomp’ to which they all played brilliantly, again bringing on the dancers.  Dave sang ‘Fats Waller’s ‘Twenty Four Robbers’.  He introduced it and demonstrated to us the words to join in with, and of course, being a rum lot, we all did – great fun.  Jack Teagarden’s famed ‘A Hundred Years from Today’ came next.  It is a favourite of Keith’s and a lovely foxtrot for the slow dancers.  A perfect evening and surely must have set everyone up to face the rest of the week (well it did for me).  One last thing, something for your diary, the band’s next date here is to be 25th July 2014.

Nothing like ‘live’ entertainment.

Diane and Keith

‘A Hundred Years from Today’ – Victor Young, Ned Washington and Joe Young (1933)
‘A Smooth One’ – Benny Goodman (1941)
‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ – (m) Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields (1916) (l’s added 1950 by Johnny Mercer)
‘Blame it on My Youth’ – (m) Oscar Levant, (l) Edward Heyman (1934
‘I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You’) – (m) Ellis Reynolds & Doc Daugherty, (l) Al J. Neiburg (1930)
‘Stevedore Stomp’ – ‘Duke’ Ellington & Irving Mills (1929)
‘The Charleston’ – (m) James P. Johnston, (l) Cecil Mack (1923)
‘Twenty Four Robbers’ – (m) Ted Buckner, (l) James Young (1941)
‘West End Blues’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver, (l) Clarence Williams (1928) (famed by Louis Armstrong)
‘You Took Advantage of Me’ – (m) Richard Rodgers, (l) Lorenz Hart (1928)

 

Mahogany Hall Stompers, Friday, 11th April 2014

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS played here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 11th April 2014.  We had a great crowd to greet them.  Band leader BRIAN GILES (cornet) booked BRIAN WHITE on reeds, GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN on trombone & vocals (yep, he was here with his own band last week), ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT on banjo & vocals (and yes, right again, he was also here last week), JOHN BLENHEIM on drums and EDDY JOHNSON on double bass.  Once again, a super atmosphere making it an enjoyable evening with plenty of dancing.  Now, I’m sure you would like a little taster of tunes we were treated to, yes?  The fact that we were busy, I was unable to jot down the first couple of numbers, but I remember ‘Pretty Baby’ was sung by Bob.  I have often mentioned before, Bob has a super voice, not dissimilar to Hoagie Carmichael, but deeper, what I describe as a fantastic ‘round’ baritone sound, do you know what I mean?  The next tune was a big ‘Number One’ hit of Tommy Dorsey, namely ‘On Treasure Island’ and the ‘Mahogany boys’ certainly did this number justice.  Another excellent number was ‘Big Chief Battle Axe’ (of Bunk Johnson fame), which encouraged plenty of dancing.  They also played ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’, sung by Bob, which enticed the audience to sing along (I think almost everyone knows most of the lyrics, both young and old).  Next I recall Brian saying “let’s have some Fats Waller” and ‘I’m Flying High’ was his choice (it certainly should be a signature tune for Keith – ha).  Bob sung the next number that has some brilliant lyrics.  The number was a Jelly Roll Morton famed one, called ‘Michigan Waters Blues’. The lyrics say something about Mississippi waters tasting like turpentine!  (I just love the diversity of the numbers Bob sings).  This time ‘I Want a Little Girl to Call My Own’ was sung by George (another great voice) and then Bob sang the next number, ‘Blues my Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me’ (made famous by Sidney Bechet).   It was certainly a very happy evening.  Please note they are to return 13th June 1014.

Cheers

Diane and Keith

 ‘Big Chief Battle Axe’ – Thomas S. Allen (1907)
‘Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me’ – Charles McCarron, Casey Morgan & Arthur Swanstrom (1919)
‘I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling’ – Fats Waller (1929)
‘I Want A Little Girl To Call My Own’ – (m) Murray Mencher, (l) Bill Moll (1930)
‘Michigan Waters Blues’ – Clarence Williams (1930)
‘On The Sunny Side of the Street’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1930)
‘On Treasure Island’ – Joseph Burke & Edgar Leslie (1935)
‘Pretty Baby’ – (m) Tony Jackson (1912) & Egbert Van Alstyne, (l) Gus Kahn (1916)

George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars, FRIDAY, 4th APRIL 2014

GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN’S ALL STARS appeared on FRIDAY, 4th APRIL 2014, here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB.  Trombonist GEORGE, has 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 is always full of fun and he certainly brought his sense of humour with him (update to follow)

Cheers,

Diane and Keith  … plus

Townhouse Jazz Club – Tribute to Johnny Rogers

6th April 2014 1-4pm £5 Entrance fee – All proceeds to Macmillan Nurses

Davey Waskett Tribute @ Townhouse JC 6Apr2014

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces, Friday, 28th March 2014

‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’ produced some lovely entertainment for us on FRIDAY, 28th MARCH 2014 here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB.  They are such a popular band, with leader BOB on trombone & vocals, MAX EMMONS on trumpet, harmonica & vocals, BERNIE HOLDEN on clarinet & sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, JOHN BAYNE on double bass/bass sax, NICK SINGER on banjo & vocals and (band leader from last week) LAURIE CHESCOE, on drums, whistle & grins of course.  I said last week, they always create a great atmosphere and they surely did!  Bob has a beautiful voice and he demonstrated that fact when he sang ‘Why don’t You Go Down to New Orleans’ (there is a Leroy Jones version on YouTube). They played ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’.  Obviously we all sang and danced to this Irving Berlin one [10wks @#1 for duet Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan], I remember Johnny Ray’s version, do you agree?  A Bix Beiderbecke number, called ‘River Boat Shuffle’, was my next number to mention.  I had written down ‘a brilliant fast number’.  Hugh sang the next tune ‘Hard Hearted Hannah’.  He sang it softly, with such feeling.  Bob sang the next number, ‘The Song is Ended (But the Memory Lingers On)’.  Then he sang a number called ‘Nice To Know You Care’.  It was written by a dear friend of ours, Leslie Baguley (30 years ago, Keith played drums with him regularly).  A while ago, Keith told Bob about this number, asking him to sing it one day.  It was lovely to hear it performed again (please read special tribute page for Leslie Baguley).  ‘(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue’ was another terrific number they performed and sung by Bob.  I wrote down that Max sang and what a powerful jazz voice he has.  ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’ brought on the line dancers, well, four (oh dear).  Anyway, a great number.  The next one is a great favourite of ours by Bob’s band, which was ‘Freight Train Blues’.  They sound so like a train – just brilliant, with Max playing harmonica to the tune and the rest of the band making great train-like sounds fabulous.  Hugh then featured on piano with a number called ‘The Pearls’ by Jelly Roll Morton.  JRM is said to say it was one of his most difficult composition to play, so well done Hugh.

There’s nothing like ‘live’ music, bring a friend when you come next week for George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars!

Diane and Keith

‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ – Irving Berlin (1911) (10wks @#1 for duet Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan)
‘Freight Train Blues’ – Thomas A. Dorsey and Murphy Everett (1924)
‘Hard Hearted Hannah’ – (m) Milton Ager, (l) Jack Yellen, Bob Bigelow &Chas Bates (1924)
‘Nice To Know You Care’ – (m) Leslie Baguley, (l) Norman Newell (1947)
 ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’ – Irving Berlin (1929)
‘Riverboat Shuffle’ – (m) Hoagy Carmichael, (l) Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish & Dick Voynow (1924)
‘The Pearls’ – Jelly Roll Morton (1927)
‘The Song is Ended (but the Memory Lingers On)’ – Irving Berlin (1927)
‘(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Harry Brooks & Andy Razaf (1929)
‘Why don’t You Go Down to New Orleans’ – Paul Babarin (1953)

Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Jazz Band, Friday, 21st March 2014

The famous ‘LAURIE CHESCOE’S REUNION BAND’ entertained us big time last Friday, 21st March 2014 here at the Farnborough Jazz Club.  Drummer Laurie (as usual grinning from ear to ear – just like Gene Krupa) had his reunion musicians, ALLAN (‘Lord Arsenal’) BRADLEY on trumpet, piano & vocals, JOHN LEE on reeds, DAVE HEWITT on trombone &baritone horn, COLIN BRAY on piano & vibes JIM DOUGLAS on banjo, guitar (&drums!) and PETER SKIVINGTON on bass guitar.  They are always very entertaining, being such a talented bunch.  I mentioned last week, I would be in a celebratory mood, as it was my wedding anniversary and would have been 50th, had Len lived.  I said I was so lucky to have an equally super partner with Keith.  I knew he didn’t mind me mentioning this, but my daughter and son-in-law worried he wouldn’t like it.  However, he said he could celebrate too, with an extra six large gins! Ha.  The evening was certainly full of fabulous numbers.  Once again, I had an extremely hard job choosing what tunes to mention, as they were all brilliant!  So first of all, I chose numbers that featured someone, then where I put an asterisks against others.  Their first number of the evening was ‘Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella’ (a Bing Crosby hit), which was a good one to start with.  Next to mention was a Boswell Sisters’ hit called ‘Moonglow’, such a melodic number (with Dave on baritone horn).  Dave featured in the next number, playing both trombone and baritone horn to ‘I Cover the Waterfront’, made famous by Louis Armstrong.  Everyone played fabulously.  Then I noted ‘Oh! Marie’ (a Louis Prima hit) and was sung by Allan.  Not only does Allan have a great voice, but he is great on the mike, introducing the numbers and entertaining us with jokes too.  He also sang the next number I chose, ‘Nobody Loves You When you’re Down and Out’.  Obviously Allan made jokes about the name, plus we all joined in with the singing (agreeing with his sentiments too, ha).  The next number was called ‘Taps Miller’, which was written as a tribute to ‘Taps’ Miller, that fantastic tap dancer of the 40’s (he could play trumpet and dance at the same time!)  It was written for the Count Basie Band and was certainly a good one for dancing to (although there was plenty of dancing going on all evening!)  Next came a feature of that extremely talented musician, Colin.  He swapped places with Allan (on piano) and took to playing vibes with ‘I’m Confessing That I Love You’, (another Louis hit- also Billie Holiday).  What brilliance, they are all so talented (Jim took to the drums too).  Colin received a huge response, with screams of “More”!  I was enjoying it so much, I failed to write the numbers down, but I can remember the sight of Colin playing this fast number, with his legs akimbo (again) whilst playing!  What a star.  ‘I Thank You, Mr Moon’ another lovely Boswell Sisters hit song, came next, with Allan singing.  John followed on with a feature and he played ‘Swing 42’ on tenor sax.  Oh! I just love him playing sax, he has such a feel for it.  Then came Jim’s feature with ‘Manoir De Mes Reves (popularly known as ‘Django’s Castle)’.  This tune was written by both Django Reinhardt and his brother Joseph.  [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].  It wasn’t their last number of the evening, but I had better not mention any more of Laurie’s repertoire, or he won’t know what else to play on his next date here, although I certainly wouldn’t mind them all being played again!  They are next with us on 11 July, 2014.

Cheers.

Diane and Keith

‘I Cover the Waterfront’ – (m) Johnny Green, (l) Eddie Heyman (1933)
‘I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You’) – (m) Ellis Reynolds & Doc Daugherty, (l) Al J. Neiburg (1930)
‘I Thank You, Mr Moon’ – Abel Baer, Dolly Morse & Dave Oppenheim (1931)
‘Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella’ – Sammy Fain, (l) Irving Kahal & Francis Wheeler (1927)
‘Manoir De Mes Reves (Django’s Castle)’ – Joseph & Django Reinhardt (1939)
‘Moonglow’ – (m) Will Hudson & Irving Mills, (l) Eddie DeLange (1933)
‘Nobody Knows You When you’re Down and Out’ – Jimmy Cox (1923)
‘Oh! Marie’- (m) Eduardo Di Capua, (l) Vincenzo Russo (circa 1890) (l) Louis Prima version (1958)
‘Swing 42’ – Django Reinhardt (1941 –for 1942)
‘Taps Miller’ – Buck Clayton (1944)

Jubilee Jazz Band, Friday, 14th March 2014

We had the JUBILEE JAZZ BAND on Friday,14th March 2014 here at our Farnborough Jazz Club.   The guys in the band were KEN REESE (trumpet), BARRY PALSER (trombone), JOHN LEE (reeds), HUGH CROZIER (piano), GERRY INGRAMS (double bass), LYNN SAUNDERS (banjo) and DOUG HIGGINS (drums).   Hooray, the sun has come out and the rain has stopped, thank goodness.  Lovely to see the spring flowers out.  Wow, just think, it won’t be long before we have the hose pipe ban!  We enjoyed some great fun last Friday, particularly with Barry, who has a great sense of humour (even though he’s a Northerner – well, north of the Thames and he can’t help that, can he).  The tunes I picked to tell you about are not necessarily the best ones played, just those I managed to jot down.  Their repertoire began with ‘It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie’ and of course Barry sang it.  The next one John played clarinet, which sounded wonderful when they played ‘Mama’s Gone – Goodbye’, a great number.  ‘Blue, Turning Grey Over You’ was another lovely tune, to which John changed to playing tenor sax.  Then came an Earl Hines jazz favourite called ‘Rosetta’.  Hugh sang this one, with John still on tenor and both Ken and Barry playing with mutes.  They followed on with that beautiful Gershwin brothers number, called ‘S’Wonderful’.  The whole band were brilliant, especially some fabulous trumpet sounds from Ken.  ‘Is it True What They Say About’ brought on the line-dancing with 9 or 10 of us, all having a laugh.  I loved the next Cole Porter number called ‘Miss Otis Regrets’, Hugh sang it with John using again tenor.   There were a couple of requests to follow on.  One from Mike, called ‘Avalon’, again sung by Hugh, with plenty of dancing.  But the next number (requested by Gordon) brought practically everyone onto the dance floor and most singing along with Hugh.  This number was ‘Love Letters in the Sand’ (Pat Boone’s 5wk hit at No. 1 in 1957!)  Their closing signature tune was ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ sang by Barry ending the evening, once again a happy one.  So why not promise yourselves a treat, turn up and have a good time next Friday, with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Jazz Band.

Please support us and keep jazz ‘live’.

Diane and Keith

‘Avalon’ – (m&l) Al Jolson, Vincent Rose & Buddy DeSylva (1920)
‘Blue, Turning Grey Over You’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Andy Razaf (1929)
‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ – (m) Isham Jones, (l) Gus Kahn (1924)
‘Is it True What They Say About Dixie’ – (m) Sammy Lerner, (l) Irving Caesar (1936)
‘It’s A Sin to Tell a Lie’ – Billy Mayhew (1936)
‘Love Letters in the Sand’ – (m) J Fred Coots, (l) Nick & Charles Kenny (1931)
‘Mama’s Gone, Goodbye’ – A J Piron & Peter Bocage (1924)
‘Miss Otis Regrets’ – Cole Porter (1934)
‘Rosetta’ – (m) Earl Hines, (l) Henri Woode (1933)
‘S Wonderful’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) Ira Gershwin (1927)