Phoenix have been with us for what seems a lifetime – a band begun by a friend of Keith’s – Robin Coombs (clarinet).  He was taken extremely ill a few years ago, whilst in Dubai (I think) and flown home as it happens to Biggin Hill Airport.  He got better – and continued playing for a time, Then decided to retire to Devon /Cornwall and handed the band to Allan Clarke (drummer).  He made a lovely job of it too – great drummer (teaches too, I believe he still does).

I shall return to add more later.

It’s the PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND who will be playing tonight, 6^th DECEMBER 2019 here at the Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent). I can’t believe it is six months since we had the band here and it is not because they are not good. Quite the contrary. It is just due to my own personal problems, that I was unable to give my time to concentrating on who was booked and when. Anyway, please come along and find out for yourself just how great a job of pouring out some (*$@&!) good music they are. PAUL HIGGS will be playing trumpet, with CHARLES SHERWOOD on clarinet &sax and BILL TODD on trombone &vocals. The engine will consist of ALAN BERRY on piano, ALLAN CLARKE on drums and ROGER CURPHEY on double bass – what a fabulous evening we know they will give us. Come and join us to let the Christmas fun begin. Diane and Keith.

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) – 5th April 2019 -L2R Bill Todd (trb), Allan Clarke (drms), Paul Higgs (trpt), Murray Salmon (dbass), Charles Sherwood (clnt) & Alan Berry (pno). Photo by Mike Wit

Paul Higgs plays his iridescent green trombone with Murray Salmon on dbass with Phoenix Dixieland Jazzband at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent). 5th April 2019. Photo by Mike  Witt.

Allan Clarke on drums with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) – 5th April 2019.     Photo by Mike Witt.

I remember PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND played for my 71st birthday back on FRIDAY, 10^th January 2014, here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB and did me proud.  They had played for us on many occasions before and have done so many times since.  Yes, they are our band for you tonight, 7^th JUNE 2019.  PAUL HIGGS, was on trumpet that night, as was ALLAN CLARKE on drums and ROGER CURPHEY on double bass too, They will be back with us tonight, along with CHARLES SHERWOOD on clarinet/ sax, BILL TODD on trombone and vocals, with ALAN BERRY on piano . The leader of the then 7-pce band in 2014, was our long-term clarinettist friend ROBIN COOMBS, who has since retired to Cornwall parts.  Also in the band was trombonist NORMAN BULL, plus DAVE BARNES on piano, with banjo and vocalist LYNN SAUNDERS.  By the way, Norman played with Keith (in their teenage band) ‘The Orion Dixielanders’, Roger played in bands with Keith from 80’s till present day, namely ‘Mac White Quartet’, Spirit of Bechet’ and our present ‘Four-In-A-Bar+1’ and Lyn played in ‘The KGB’ – ‘The Keith Grant Band’ during the 80’s (that was until Keith broke a shoulder, an arm, a wrist and many bones in his hands) – hmmm I nearly gave him concussion. Consequently he gave up drumming till recent years. See you all tonight – Yes we will be there – your hosts Diane and Keith

Oh my, it’s Friday already.  Doesn’t the week go so quickly nowadays, when your having fun.  But what a fantastic evening we had last Friday, with such a turnout and no-one wanting it to end.  Tonight, 5^th April 2019, we will have the super PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, with leader and drummer, ALLAN CLARKE.  I’m sure they will leave everyone in the same mood.  ALLAN has booked PAUL HIGGS on his iridescent trumpet, CHARLES SHERWOOD on clarinet, BILL TODD on trombone and vocals, with ALLAN obviously on drums, MURRAY SALMON on double bass and ALAN BERRY on piano.   So it will be great to see you all back again, for a rip-roaring evening.  See you all at 8:00pm (finishing at 11:00pm).  Don’t forget your dancing shoes.  Our lovely bar staff, Cathy and Barb, will serve you from our Shepherd Neame bar (club prices), with Ian in charge and Keith and me, enjoying their service too (hmmm).  We have a large (free) car park … just a little request, please park as close as is safe, to allow late-comers to park easily too, thanks. Your hosts, Diane and Keith

The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND are back tonight, Friday, 30^th November 2018 here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent).   Today is St Andrews Day, so here’s the flag to say happy special day to anyone Scottish.   Drummer, Allan Clarke carried on running the band when Robin Coombs retired.  Tonight Allan has booked MIKE COTTON on trumpet, CHARLES SHERWOOD on clarinet, BILL TODD on trombone/vocs, ALLAN obviously on drums, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass and ALAN BERRY on piano.  Now that is a lovely band, certainly you shouldn’t miss it.  See you all in your hordes.

Diane and Keith – hosting

Great picture aye? Showing AlLan Clarke (drums) and Roger Curphey (double bass) enjoying his pint with the Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th June 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Alan Berry on piano and Roger Curphey on double bass with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band on 23 February 2018 at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Photo by Alan Walker

(Photos to follow) 

The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND is to be our band for you tonight (Friday, 3^rd August 2018) here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent).  Robin Coombs was their original band leader, but he had a life-threatening illness a few years ago, which although has recovered from, actually made him decide to retire.  Robin has been a close friend of Keith’s since their teenage years.  Drummer, Allan Clarke carried on running the band without Robin, in the hope he would return, but when Robin decided to stop, they continued on.  So that is with musicians PAUL HIGGS (iridescent trumpet), CHARLES SHERWOOD (clarinet), BILL TODD (trombone/voc), ALLAN CLARKE (drums), ROGER CURPHEY (double bass) and pianist ALAN BERRY, Alan was for many years with that jazz programme ‘The Jazz Club’ on BBC Radio, (now Radio 2).  They make a super line-up and have enjoyed continued success ever since.  It’s another lovely warm sunny day today, which I think will bring us a gorgeous evening, once again.  So lets see you all again for another week of jazz ….

Your hosts – Diane and Keith.

Bill Todd, Paul Higgs & Charles Sherwood enjoy playing with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11 March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

It’s the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB here and we have the PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND coming to play for us on Friday 11th May 2018.  The guys playing will be PAUL HIGGS (iridescent trumpet), CHARLES SHERWOOD (clarinet), BILL TODD (trombone/voc), also (depping for Roger) DAVE MOSES (double bass), ALAN BERRY (pianist) and ALLAN CLARKE (drums). 

See you all for some special ‘live’ jazz

Diane and Keith

Here are a couple of photos taken by Alan Walker and kindly sent to us for the website – thanks Alan.

Alan Berry on piano and Roger Curphey on       d.bass with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band, 23February2018 Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Photo by Alan Walke

Alan Berry plays piano with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band on 23February 2018 at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Photo by Alan Walker.

I will try to return with a small write-up at a later date – Di.

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Xmas party on 15th December 2017.  Paul Higgs (trumpet), Charles Sherwood (clarinet), Bill Todd (trombone), Dave Barnes (piano), Roger Curphey (d.bass) and Allan Clarke (drums). Photo by Mike Witt.

The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, as Brucie (Sir Bruce Forsyth) would say, ‘you are our favourite’ at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (well one of them, ha).  They and are here this Friday 23th February 2018.  The musicians will be PAUL HIGGS (iridescent trumpet), CHARLES SHERWOOD (clarinet), BILL TODD (trombone/voc), ALLAN CLARKE (drums), ROGER CURPHEY (double bass) and this time, pianist ALAN BERRY.  Alan has played with many greats.  For many years, he worked with the jazz programme ‘The Jazz Club’ on BBC Radio (now Radio 2).  Be prepared to hear some fabulous jazz and I know you’ll leave with a big smile on your face.

Your hosts, Diane and Keith

P.S. DON’T FORGET 4-IN-A-BAR+1 playing Smooth Jazz this Sunday afternoon, 25th February 2018, 3:00-6:00pm at Ye Olde Whyte Lyon, see ‘PAGE’ above, next to ‘HOME’

Paul Higgs playing his lovely iridescent green trumpet playing for Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Drummer Allan Clarke with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, bringing their wonderful ray of sunshine, will be here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB this Friday 15th December 2017.  PAUL HIGGS will be playing his iridescent trumpet as magically as ever for us and joining him will be CHARLES SHERWOOD, playing clarinet, with BILL TODD playing trombone &vocals, ALLAN CLARKE playing drums, DAVE BARNES playing piano & vocals and ROGER CURPHEY playing double bass.  They present a wonderful program of exciting music for you, always something great to both listeners and dancers alike.  Come and enjoy them, I’m sure you will not be disappointed .  Besides, we have very nice Shepherd Neame bar staff too, plus a friendly atmosphere.

Come and your jazz hosts,  Diane and Keith