A couple of weeks ago, Howard Leigh sent these wonderful photos of one of our very favourite bands, ‘The Original Eastside Stompers’. Sadly the band is no longer. Dear Lennie Hodgeson passed away in May 2012. Whilst ferreting around my old newsletters, I came up with this one of 27th January 2012. It was prior to losing my computer due to a virus (now have laptop). This newsletter is one that must be published alongside the photos, as a special tribute to ‘Luscious Lennie’, as I called him. The reference to TOES was because banjoist Brian had an accident losing a finger, hence my joke (I know – sick, but Brian and I shared many a joke on the phone about the subject). I just love the photos, taken by Howard Leigh on 21st May 2010, such a shame Lennie never saw them, but his family, I’m sure, will enjoy them. (You will notice it was ‘Southend Bob’ Allbut playing on this date, not Brian.) Lennie came from a very musical family. In fact, I’m sure a lot of you will remember the band played for us for many years, when Lennie’s brother, Ernie ran the band. Such lovely memories. Anyway, herewith, the said newsletter:
Friday, 27th January 2012, we have that happy little band ‘The Original Eastside Stompers’, or TOES, as I call them. They originate from Essex and have been playing for us for, oh I don’t know, I will have to look it up, but it has to be at least 16years. Anyway, they are a ‘family’ band to us. The musicians will be John Shepherd on trumpet, ‘the romantic’ Ronnie Findon on clarinet&vocals, John Howlett on trombone, Roger Graham on double bass&Souza, Graham Collicott on drums and (the toes man himself) Brian Laurence on banjo. Lovely leader Lennie Hodgeson retired for just over a year ago and we still miss him and his natty intros “Here’s a lovely ol’, lovely ol’ number called ….” He was 88yrs of age 10 days ago, so “HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY LENNIE, FROM ALL OF US HERE IN FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB”.
Lennie Hodgeson (trombone) Leader of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (1) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
“Here’s a lovely ol’, lovely ol’ number, written in 1923 on Tuesday at 2.25pm” is a line of Lennie’s (what a lovely sense of humour). Lennie Hodgeson (trombone) Leader of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (2) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
Lennie Hodgeson (trombone) Leader of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (3) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
John Shepherd (trumpet) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (1) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
John Shepherd (trumpet) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (1) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21 May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
Ronnie Findon (sax & vocals) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (1) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK , on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
Ronnie Findon (sax & vocals) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (2) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
‘Southend Bob’ Allbut (banjo & vocals) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
Graham Collicott (drums) of The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
Roger Graham (double bass&Souza) The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band @ Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (1) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (2) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh
The Original Eastside Stompers Jazz Band (3) at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK, on 21st May 2010. Photo: Howard Leigh