Tony Karavis plays trumpet with Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, 24 November 2017. Photo by Mike Witt.

It’s EASTER GOOD FRIDAY, 30^th March 2018 and we have a golden band for you – the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent)   Band leader, KEVIN SCOTT, who plays tenor banjo, has booked TONY KARAVIS on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on reeds, GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN on trombone & vocals, CHRIS THOMPSON on double bass and PETE LAY on drums.   They play the best of New Orleans traditional jazz, with the right tempos for us dancers.  Come and enjoy yourselves enjoy a drink and maybe win an Easter Egg for yourself (instead of the kids) in the raffle and start off your Easter holiday by winding down to some lovely fun music.

Your hosts,

Diane and Keith, the Granties

Alan Cresswell plays clarinet,, accompanied by Kevin Scott playing with Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 17th June 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

The FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (here in Kent) has booked the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND to play Friday, 24^th November 2017.   KEVIN SCOTT, who plays tenor banjo, has booked TONY KARAVIS on trumpet.  I think it is the first time Tony has played for us, so let’s give him our warm ‘Farnborough welcome’ please everyone.  Kevin has also booked ALAN CRESSWELL on reeds, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, JOHN SIRETT on double bass and MALC MURPHEY on drums & vocals.   This is another band who will make every effort to please you with their talent at playing New Orleans traditional jazz (Kevin gives out plenty of fun jokes too!).  We love to dance here, have a nice Shepherd Neame bar, with a lovely friendly audience you can join, plus plenty of free parking.  £10 entrance.  How’s that for a great Friday night not to be missed.

Your hosts,

The Granties (Diane and Keith)

The GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND is our band for tonight at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB, Friday, 25^th August 2017.  Band leader, KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo) will have (both guesting) ALLEN BEECHEY on trumpet, SARAH SPENCER on Tenor sax.  Also ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and MALC MURPHEY on drums & vocals.  New Orleans jazz played for your entertainment and you can be sure at it’s best.  The last time Sarah was here at Farnborough, was back in September 2014 and what a wonderfully exciting performance she gave us.  Of course I must mention talented Allen is often here with the Martin Brothers, but was last here with Bob Dwyer 9th September 2016 and gave us a fantastic blow!   So make your way to our little club and bring your dancing shoes with you.  We’ll have some fun.

Your hosts,

Diane and Keith

Band leader and tenor banjo Kevin Scott plays for Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 8th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Last Friday was such a cold night with snow expected, but you all turned out anyway and we enjoyed a great evening.  Most of you hopefully got home before that snow, although when Johnny Baker, Ian, Keith and I left, it had laid and looked quite pretty.  However, this week is much warmer and so this Friday, 17^th February 2017 is sure to be even busier.  Plus with the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND being our band here (FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB) too, you are sure to enjoy yourself again.  Band leader, KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo) has booked the following guys, namely DAVE STRADWICK on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and MIKE MURPHEY on drums & vocals.  They always give us a good time, encouraging plenty of dancing to some lively good old fashioned New Orleans jazz, the way it should be played, plus with this lot, plenty of banter and jokes between them too.

Keep up the support of ‘live’ jazz

Diane and Keith

It was Halloween at Farnborough Jazz Club (2015). We were nearing the bewitching hour and Golden Eagle Jazz Band could resist us no longer, we had them under our spell! he he, Photo taken by Mike Witt.

We have the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND with us at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB this Friday, 25^th November 2016.  KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo) is the band leader and he has MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL will be on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and MALC MURPHEY on drums (KEN COLYER’S drummer for 7yrs).  After last week, when we had a brilliant party-like evening, it will be a hard act to follow.  However, this band can, because they also like to encourage you to enjoy yourselves.  So if things are getting you uptight, with Christmas shopping looming up on you fast, then get yourselves over to us for the evening.  You will find yourselves unwinding and ready for the World again, the next day.  Their music begins at 8:00pm, finishing at 11:00pm and if you want, you can dance (however good, or bad you are), or just sit and listen.  The bar has club prices, with pleasant staff to serve you Shepherd Neame beer etc.,  – so come on over and join your hosts, Diane and Keith for some ‘live’ jazz.

GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND started our New Year off with some great traditional jazz here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB and did we have fun.  Well, they are back to do the same  on Friday, 17^th June 2016.    The band had the same line-up, namely band leader KEVIN SCOTT  (tenor banjo), plus MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums.

Golden Eagle Jazz Band play at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on Friday, 17th June 2016. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone), Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (d.bass) and band leader Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

I always say it is good to begin the evening with a good swinging number to really put the audience in a happy mood.  Well they certainly gave a great start, obliging me with ‘Canal Street Blues’ and then followed up with ‘The Royal Telephone’ – remember Burl Ives? – lovely ol’ voice.  Kevin’s lot play a much more jazzed up version, of course.

Jack Lawrence (b. April 7, 1912 – d. March 16, 2009) was an American songwriter. He was inducted into   the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975.

Their third number was another one of my old favourite tunes, ‘Ciriciribin’, (I’ve added the composer’s photo!).  Kevin announced it as being a lovely old romantic tune.  Up next, we enjoyed our line dance (again only five of us – well one more than last week, ha – we’ll probably have a few back next week from hols!).  The number was ‘There’s Yes,! Yes! In Your Eyes’.  Well, at least we had the rest of the dancers up dancing to my next number to mention – ‘The Glory Of Love’, (remember lovely Jimmy ‘Snozzle’ Durante?).

Here’s Alan Cresswell playing clarinet, accompanied by smiley Kevin Scott  with his Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 17th June 2016.    Photo by Mike Witt.

The Golden Eagle Jazz Band’s trumpeter, Mike Scroxton plays whilst clarinetist, Allan Cresswell listens, at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on Friday, 17th June 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Band (Kent) on Friday, 17th June 2016. (LtoR) Pete Jackman (drums), Roy Stokes (trombone), Mike Broad (double bass) sorry he’s hidden), Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Alan Cresswell (clarinet) and band leader Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Then a great trad’ dancing number came in the shape of ‘Milenurg Joys’.  Oh yes, they showed they just loved playing it too – what a beat.  Marvelous trombone playing by Roy with Alan (always wonderful clarinet tones.   I would like to make particular mention to, Mike (S) performing brilliantly on trumpet to their next tune – ‘My Old Kentucky Home’.  Another brilliant situation followed (I must mention) and that is about the boys playing their next number to a packed dance floor, with all the dancers singing at the top of their voices.  The tune was ‘Over In The Glory Land’ – certainly a lot of fun.  My next choice to mention, being a Latin American flavor, is ‘Jambala’ and was sung by Kevin, you can tell I love the lively numbers.

Pete Jackman plays drums for Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jaz Club (Kent) on Friday 17th June 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

How about ‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’?  It was performed as a great duo only by Mike (B) and Pete (double bass and drums) – wonderful, very enjoyable.

Mike Broad plays double bass for Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on Friday 17th June 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

I’ll close my newsletter and mention ‘Walking With The King’, with Kevin singing, he does sing so well.  The band’s booking  had been specially requested for Judy’s 70th birthday and we all enjoyed it with her too.  Thank you boys for giving her and us a good time.  They will be back 25th November.

Your hosts, Diane and Keith                   

‘Canal Street Blues’ – Joe ‘King’ Oliver (1923)

‘Ciribiribin’ – (m&l) Harry James&Jack Lawrence (1939) (based on melody by Alberto Pestalozza -1889)

‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou)’ – Hank Williams (1952)

‘Just a Closer Walk With Thee’ – Traditional Gospel (pre-1860’s – possibly Afro-American)

‘Milenburg Joys’ – Jelly Roll Morton, Leon Rappolo, Paul Mares, (l) Walter Melrose (1925)

‘My Old Kentucky Home’ – Stephen C. Foster (1852-3)

‘Over In The Glory Land’ – James W Acuff & Emmet E Dean (1905)

‘The Glory Of Love’ – Billy Hill (1936)

‘The Royal Telephone’ – Frederick M. Lehman (1919)

‘There’s Yes! Yes! In Your Eyes’ – Joseph H. Santly, (l) Cliff Friend (1924)

‘Walking with the King’ – pop gospel, origins unknown

Your hosts, Diane and Keith

First, let us wish you all a happy New Year.  The GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND had started our New Year off with some great traditional jazz here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 8^th January 2016.  The band, leader, KEVIN SCOTT, who plays tenor banjo & vocals, had with him MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums.

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 8th January 2016. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone&vocs), Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (double bass) and Band leader Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

I suggested that with all the festive season’s eating you surely had tucked away, you would most likely be in need of dancing off all those pounds, being the best way to exercise.  Plus after all those repeat TV programs, you must have been in great need of cheering up, so to come and enjoy the music.  Of course some of you were away, but thanks to a nucleus of punters, others turned up.  I know I always mention about this band, being full of fun, but it’s so true.  All bands arrive long before everyone, to prepare and it is a great treat for me, listening to all the banter that goes on.  The jokes, fun and laughter between this particular band was a wonderful way for me to start the New Year, leaving me with tears of laughter in my eyes and I knew they were going to be on good form for our audience and they certainly were.  They began with their first number ‘Exactly Like You’, followed with ‘Shine’. Both lovely numbers and ‘Algiers Stomp’ had us up dancing our line-dance, which all us participants enjoy.   Mike played a brilliant bit of trumpet, when they played ‘Postman’s Lament’ (I think it was sung by Kevin).

Band leader and tenor banjo Kevin Scott plays for Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 8th January 2016.            Photo by Mike Witt.

Kevin also sang ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’, singing it beautifully.  ‘Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me’ was then sung by Roy – amazing how so many musicians are fabulous singers, you’d think they were just proficient playing their musical instruments only, but not so.

Mike Broad plays double bass for Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 8th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Pete Jackman plays drums for Golden Eagle Jazz Band here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 8th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Anyway, Alan was featured next with ‘Wild Cat Blues’, (backed by both Mike (B) and Pete), what an applause he got too.  ‘Sweet Sue’ was another number played with super brilliance by all of them, as with ‘Walking With The King’, which was sung by Roy.  What a great job he does too and quite a good favourite with all the jazzers.  Oh, you must read my write-up back on 11th September 2013, about the next number ‘Collegiate’, such a story I managed to dig up.   They played it brilliantly and finished the evening off with such smiles from both musicians and audience alike.  Looking forward to having them back on 17th June next.

Diane and Keith

‘Algiers Stomp’ – Henry ‘Red’ Allen (1936)

‘Collegiate’ – Moe Jaffe & Nat Bonx, students (1925)

‘Exactly Like You’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Fields (1930)

‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ – (m) Isham Jones, (l) Gus Kahn (1924)

‘Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me’ – Traditional Gospel song

‘Postman’s Lament’ – traditional

‘Shine’ – (m) Ford Dabney, (l) Cecil Mack & Lew Brown (1910)

‘Sing Hallelujah, I’m Walking With the King’ – New Orleans Traditional spiritual

‘Sweet Sue, Just You’ – (m) Victor Young, (l) Will J. Harris (1928)

‘Wild Cat Blues’ – Clarence Williams & Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller (1923)

Hey, it was the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND who turned up to play on Friday, 30^th October 2015 at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB.  Band leader KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo) had brought with him MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums.  Before I begin telling you about all the fun making of this evening, I must stop for a while and tell you, the band played their second tune, ‘In The Sweet Bye and Bye’, especially for a lovely trombonist.  It was such a shock to hear that on 17th October 2015, Russell Bennett had sadly died.  He was an especially talented musician, as is his family, whom we all have such sympathy and feeling for – including his very personal friends.  In his terribly short life, Russell gave so much enjoyment to so many, with his talent and tremendous sense of humour.  Russell (aged just 43yrs) was snatched from this world, but grabbed into the next place we go to (I’m sure with much glee) to join that huge band of all ages in the sky.  ‘You won’t need an audition Russell, you left your ‘stamp; here for all to see’.   I know he would love me to follow on with what we got up to tonight– he was so full of fun.  Hey Russell, I think Kevin chose ‘In The Sweet Bye and Bye’ because could the lyricist perhaps have been a distant relative?

Last week, when telling you of this week, I said we’ll have Trad’ jazz at its best, because it is sure to include lots of smiling faces on people having fun.  It was just that, with all the fun of Halloween fancy dress.  I’m sure the ‘Golden’ boys won’t mind me putting us girls’ pictures here first – you better not, we might put a hex on you – ha.

Don’t we have beautiful Witches in this Coven! It’s actually Anita having fun in fancy dress at our Halloween Party on 30th October 2015. No wonder Golden Eagle Jazz Band came to entertain us here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent). Photo by Mike Witt

Here’s one of our beautiful Witches in our Coven. It’s actually June having fun in fancy costume. No wonder Golden Eagle Jazz Band didn’t mind entertaining us at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) for our Halloween Party on 30th October 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

This is me (Diane) Sorry I have spoilt the scene, but I did have to tell them who’s boss. Well, we did have some beautiful Witches at our fancy dress Halloween Party and I couldn’t let them get too big for their boots! Party was here at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday 30th October 2015. Golden Eagle Jazz Band entertained us. Photo by Kevin Scott

Here’s a couple more beautiful Witches we had in our Coven, who are the Witches from Gillingham. Actually, it is Phil and Sandra in fancy dress enjoying the fun. No wonder Golden Eagle Jazz Band didn’t mind entertaining us at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) for our Halloween Party on 30th October 2015.                   Photo by Mike Witt.

To continue, I think these ‘Golden’ boys decided they had better keep the smiles on our faces, so they played extra nice, beginning with ‘Bourbon Street Parade’.  Had Kevin played it to parade us up and down to perhaps even tempt us to ‘fly now’?  We liked it – ha.  As for ‘It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie’, would we ever, I mean.  Their next tune was beautifully sung by Kevin, on behalf of Keith (who is bald), but for me (who is a bottle-fed brunette – well a young witch cannot be silver really, can she! What are you all laughing for?).  The tune was ‘Silver Threads Among The Gold’ and joking apart, what a lovely song.  Alan featured next and being so soft hearted, he played the next one for our cats, called ‘Wild Cat Blues’.  The boys couldn’t get them off their laps, purring so much – the cats I mean.  Mike (S) sang to us next and being under our spell, he sang to us ‘There’s Yes, Yes In Your Eyes’, don’t worry Mike, you’ll feel better soon – we are dreadful, aren’t we?  That’s why they had to quickly sing the next one, to wrap our knuckles, or something – he he.  The tune?  ‘Up Jumped The Devil’!  Kevin does find them, doesn’t he, I don’t think it has been played here before, well it wasn’t needed before, was it!  As for the next tune, did they really think we could be ‘sweet’?  – arhh.  Well, I suppose playing it helped … ‘In The Sweet By and By’ – and the dance floor was absolutely packed.  Then, a good 10 or 12 of us got up to enjoy our line-dance to ‘The Sheik Of Araby’.  I suppose we thought we could lure back into the mood, well you men were all getting syrupy.  I think our mood had slipped though, because we found ourselves singing at the top of our voices to ‘It’s A Long Way To Tipperary’, such comradery, aye?  Being near the bewitching hour, we forgot and joined in with the band, singing their last song, ‘Smiles’.  What a wonderful evening and thanks to everyone for making it so much fun, especially Kevin & the boys,  for choosing such fun numbers.

It’s Halloween Party time. The guys are trying so hard to avoid our gaze. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone), Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (d.bass), & Kevin Scott (banjo) who are the Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th October 2016. Photo taken by Mike Witt.

It’s still Halloween Party time and the guys are still trying so hard to avoid our gaze. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone), Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Mike Broad (d.bass), Alan Cresswell (clarinet) & Kevin Scott (banjo) who are the Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th October 2016. (LtoR) Photo taken by Mike Witt.

It’s Halloween at Farnborough Jazz Club. We are nearing the bewitching hour and Golden Eagle Jazz Band can resist us no longer, we have them under our spell! he he, Photo taken by Mike Witt.

And that’s Jazz – cheers from

Witchy poo Diane – and Keith too!

‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)

‘In The Sweet Bye and Bye’ – (m) Joseph P. Webster, (l) Sanford Filmore Bennet (1868) recorded by Louis

‘It’s A Long Way to Tipperary’ – (m/l) Henry James ‘Harry’ Williams, (l) Jack Judge (1912)

‘It’s A Sin to Tell a Lie’ – Billy Mayhew (1936

‘Silver Threads Among The Gold’ – Hart Pease Danks, (l) Ebon Eugene Rexford (1873)

‘Smiles’ – (m) Lee S. Roberts, (l) J. Will Callahan (1917)

‘The Sheik of Araby’ – (m) Ted Snyder, (l) Harry B. Smith & Francis Wheeler (1921)

‘There’s Yes! Yes! In your Eyes’ – (m) Joseph H. Santly, (l) Cliff Friend (1924)

‘Up Jumped The Devil’

‘Wild Cat Blues’ – Clarence Williams & Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller (1923)

Please Note:  See above Page about internationally famed saxophonist & vocalist, Jonny Boston, with a wonderful array of stars, who will be on tour here in England next year – March 2016 (to include us on 4th) .

The GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND’s leader KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo) I’m told, played brilliantly for us on Friday, 17^th July 2015 at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent),  Playing with him were MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums.  We always have a laugh with Kevin and the boys, so I was so disappointed to have missed the fun.  I cannot recall ever missing an evening before, although I must have done, but it would have been years ago.  Keith returned home with all the details of the fun I had missed, some great trad’ jazz to be sure.  I cannot tell you anything they played, but at least I can publish the photos kindly taken by Mike (thanks Mike).  One of them was numbered 007, that one happened to be of John and Len with our raffle draw (Keith said they were a laugh on the ‘mike’), so must now call them both a ‘James Bond’ – ha.  Enjoy the photos.

See you soon.

Diane and Keith

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club     (Kent) on 17th July 2015. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone), Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet),          Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (double bass)      and Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 17th July 2015. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone),         Mike Scroxton (trumpet), Pete Jackman (drums),          Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (double bass)      and Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt

John and Len (our two James Bonds) handled  raffle in Diane’s absence on the evening of the Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 17th July 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club          on 17th July 2015. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone),         Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet),          Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (double bass)      and Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Golden Eagle Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club          on 17th July 2015. (LtoR) Roy Stokes (trombone),         Pete Jackman (drums), Mike Scroxton (trumpet),          Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Mike Broad (double bass)     and Kevin Scott (tenor banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

KEVIN SCOTT (tenor banjo), leader of the GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND, had MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums. These Golden boys played their socks off for us on Friday, 20^th February 2015 at Farnborough Jazz Club. They are always happy and that is before they even start playing their happy music and they were certainly on form again this particular evening.  First of all I must apologise, as I shall have to delay producing this newsletter (and the next one for Barry Palser) as I have mislaid my notes.  Plus we have no photos for this week.  This is due to Mike Witt being absent from the club this week.  The reason being congratulations are in order for Ann and Mike (especially from me).  It was their 50th Wedding Anniversary and they were out celebrating elsewhere.  Yes, it’s alright, they sent absentee notes from both their Mums.

I shall return to complete.

Please keep music ‘live’, by giving support.

Diane and Keith