Monthly Archives: August 2014

‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, 29th August 2014

‘BARRY PALSER’S SUPER SIX’ once again came to Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, on Friday, 29^th August 2014.

Barry Palser

Trombonist BARRY’s band of musicians were PETE RUDEFORTH (trumpet), JOHN CROCKER (reeds/vocals), TONY PITT (banjo), HARVEY WESTON (double bass) and JOHN TYSON (drums). Before you all turned up, Keith and I enjoyed John (C) warming up and boy oh boy, he was better than most during those practice moments (don’t be offended all you clarinettists – it’s just true, ha). Well if that was any indication of what was to come, we were not wrong. They had to follow on from the previous two fantastic Fridays (especially as one of them was Tony’s own band). However, they did just that. Once again, I will give you the picture of what you missed if you were not there. With numbers such as ‘All of Me’, which was sung by John (C), who has a wonderful voice. I love the next number being ‘Running Wild’. Pete sang it and John (T) gave a marvellous drum solo with Harvey and Tony doing their bit too. Then Barry said their next number ‘I’m Crazy ‘bout My Baby’ is dedicate to Dave Wasket (trumpet player of ‘Vintage Jazz’ fame), “because Davy loved it”. I have found some old info on ‘Vintage Jazz’ (lost off website when it went ‘down’, so have loaded it again). It was our turn to do our line-dance to ‘My Blue Heaven’, which Barry sang. Once again, John (C) commented about us being the ‘Roly Polys’. Thanks John, quite a compliment, I know we are all amazing dancers. However, it’s alright girls, I think he was referring to my size only (cheeky – John I mean, not my derrière, hmmm). Anyway, my next choice of song was played beautifully by them all, that being ‘Creole Love Call’, a great number. John followed on to be featured on tenor sax with ‘Honeysuckle Rose’, such a talent, so superb. Then it was Pete’s turn to be featured on trumpet. He played fabulously ‘Davenport Blues’. I wrote the word ‘Brilliant’ against ‘Oh Lady Be Good’. George Gershwin songs always bring on the dancers and I remember everyone excelled, need I say more? I finish up though with ‘Just a Little While to Stay Here’. It was sung by Barry and what I particularly loved, was halfway through, the three front liners singing in harmony. Yes another excellent evening.

See you this coming Friday, 5^th September 2014 (doors open to you at 8.00pm, time to relax for music at 8:30pm). Don’t forget we have ‘The Martyn Brothers’ and another wonderful evening expected!

Keep supporting us, so we can keep giving you this great entertainment every week.

Cheers,

Diane and Keith

‘All of Me’ – Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons (1931) (Ruth Etting Song)

‘Creole Love Call’ – © Duke Ellington (1928) (lost court case by Joe ‘King’ Oliver (1923)

‘Davenport Blues’ – Bix Beiderbecke (1925) – named after his hometown.

‘I’m Crazy ‘bout My Baby’ – Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller & Alex Hill (1931)

‘Honeysuckle Rose’ – (m) Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller, (l) Andy Razaf (1928)

‘Just a Little While to Stay Here’ – Eugene Monroe Bartlett (1884-1941)

‘My Blue Heaven’ – (m) Walter Donaldson, (l) George A. Whiting (1924)

‘Oh Lady Be Good’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) Ira Gershwin (1924)

‘Running Wild’ – (m) A. Harrington Gibbs, (l) Joe Grey & Leo Woods (1922)

Baby Jools’ Jazzaholics, 22nd August 2014

‘BABY’ JOOLS JAZZAHOLICS gave us yet another wonderful evening here at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 22^nd August 2014.Leader and drummer JULYAN ALDRIDGE was given the stage name of ‘BABY’ JOOLS by Max Collie (after famous drummer ‘Baby’ Dodds). He was joined by DENNY ILETT on trumpet, KARL HIRD on saxes, MIKE OWEN on trombone, ‘GENTLEMAN’ JIM McINTOSH (over from Germany) on banjo (+ intros on ‘mike’) and TREFOR ‘FINGERS’ WILLIAMS on double bass, what a great line-up (certainly brought back our Phil Mason days, with Jim and Trefor on board – also keeps Phil’s memory alive). Another brilliant evening of wonderful traditional jazz ensued and once again a good appreciative audience. The boys played ‘Why Don’t you all Go, Down to New Orleans’ (‘Baby’ Dodds influence?). Mike sang it and certainly was marvellous. The next numbers were ‘Roses of Picardy’, followed by ‘Ciribiribin’, with plenty of dancers already enjoying the magic. You may recall I sent a comment to composer, Jack Lawrence, not my usual thing, but felt compelled. I found out he was actively replying in his late nineties. So I love to hear his number played. After last week, once again the band had a request for ‘Bourbon Street Parade’. Obviously the ‘brolly’ parade occurred, which always adds a little bit of colour. It was Denny’s turn to sing and he chose ‘I’m Alone Because I Love You’, a lovely number I don’t think has been sung at our club before. ‘The Sheik of Araby’ followed and what an exciting rendition from everyone, especially the drum solo from Jools. Next one to recall was ‘Jambalaya’ another brilliant one and nicely sung by Denny. ‘Mr Pawn Broker’ has to have a mention, with Mike singing it, plus his trombone, Denny’s trumpet, Karl’s sax and of course Jim’s banjo playing were excellent, oh hell, they all excelled. Their last and very apt number was ‘Get Out of Here and Go on Home’. I’m sure they wanted to escape to their homes (afar) as they were playing in Penzance the next day, but still they put their ‘all’ into the number. Well done boys and thanks.

When I write these newsletters, I worry that as a reader, you will find it boring, but I like to give a picture of what the evening was like, to conjure up the scene for you. However, there is nothing like being at a performance ‘live’, so check it out for yourselves and see you next Friday for Barry Palser’s Super Six (they really are six super stars).

Diane and Keith

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

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

‘Get Out Of Here and Go on Home’ – Buddy Bolden

‘I’m Along Because I Love You’ – (m) Ira Schuster, (l) Joe Young (1930)

‘Mr Pawn Broker’ – B. B. King (1960)

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

‘Roses of Picardy’ – (m) Haydn Wood, (l) Frederick E. Weatherly (1916)

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

‘Why Don’t you all Go, Down to New Orleans’ – Paul Barbarin (1950)

Tony Pitt’s All Stars, 15th August 2014

TONY PITT’S ALL STARS certainly is a most exciting band and entertained us here ‘big time’ at the Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 15^th August 2014. Wherever you see this band advertised, definitely go see them, you won’t regret it. Tony always books some of the top musicians in British Jazz. This evening Tony brought with him ALAN GRESTY on trumpet, GRAHAM HUGHES on trombone, AL NICHOLS on soprano and tenor saxes, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass, JOHN ELMER on drums and of course TONY again ‘solid as a rock’ on banjo. Tony does a wonderful job of introducing everything, quite a natural on the ‘mike’. The band began the evening with Graham singing ‘All of Me’, such a great start. My next choice of song was ‘Tishomingo Blues’, with Graham playing harmonica and Al on soprano sax. ‘Alice Blue Gown’ gave us the chance to do our line dance (including a few jivers on the floor too). Alan has a wonderful voice and sung to ‘When I Grow Too Old to Dream’. I wrote ‘fab clarinet’, although I know they were all fabulous (am I gushing too much, sorry can’t help it). ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was certainly a temptation for a brolly parade, so Steve, one of our regulars, got out his collection of ‘umbrellas’ from the car, which produced another bit of fun. Al (Nichols of course) featured on sax with an Al Jolson hit, ‘(I met my love in) Avalon’, Oh what a performance, just superb. Talented Graham was next to be featured with ‘Just a Gigolo’ he played harmonica and also sang. I remember dancing, when John played a magnificent drum solo (you don’t forget drum solos if you are dancing – and I love to dance to drum solos!), anyhow a lovely number. ‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ must be mentioned, with Alan playing flugelhorn (I just love that instrument), plus he also sang. They once again played way past time and finished up with ‘Dixie (I Wish I was in)’ intermingled with a rendition of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. Oh what an ending. Certainly everyone left with huge smiles of appreciation and plenty of praise, not wanting it to end. That is how we love it, everyone leaving wanting more, so see you next Friday, with ‘Baby’ Jools’ Jazzaholics.

Nothing like ‘live’ music, especially jazz.

Diane & Keith

‘Alice Blue Gown’ – (m) Harry Tierney, (l) Joseph McCarthy (1919)

‘All of Me’ – Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons (1931) (Ruth Etting Song)

‘Avalon’ – (m&l) Al Jolson, Vincent Rose & Buddy DeSylva (1920)

‘Bourbon Street Parade’ –

*‘Dixie (I Wish I was in Dixie)’ – Daniel Decatur Emmett (circa 1860)

‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ – (m) Spencer Williams, (l) Jack Palmer (1924)

‘Just a Gigolo’ – Irving Caecar (1929) [adapted from ‘Schőner Gigolo, Armer Gigolo – (m) Leonello Casucci, (l) Julius Brammer (1928)

‘Tishomingo Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1917)

‘When I grow too Old to Dream’ – (m) Sigmund Romberg, (l) Oscar Hammerstein II (1934)

*‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – origins unknown (derived from (l) Katherine Purvis, (m) James Milton Black 1896) re-publ 1927.

*played together!

‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’, 8th August 2014

‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’ appeared on Friday, 8^th August 2014 here at the Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. Leader BOB, on trombone & vocals, was joined by 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 DENNIS SMITH on drums. So how did it go? Well, they gave us such a wonderful variation of music. When I look at my notes, once again I had ticked too many tunes to mention, so I hope Bob and the gang like my choices. They started off with a good old trad number which immediately brought on a couple of dancers, ‘Canal Street Blues’. Another fabulous number was sung by Max, who also played his harmonica, with John choosing bass sax to the number ‘Me and the Devil’ (written by Robert Johnson, whose life was short-lived – 27yrs – did he have a sixth sense? I hope not!) Hugh had a bad journey and arrived a little late, but went ‘straight on’ without a breather, featuring both great vocals and piano with ‘Oooh! Look-A There, Aint She Pretty’, a lovely jaunty dancing tempo. Bob followed up with his vocals to ‘No Regrets’. I’ve said it before, Bob also has a lovely voice. Another vocalisation came from Nick with ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’, with again John playing bass sax (‘Big Bertha’ as I call it). Nick has a brilliant rough trad jazz voice. ‘Puttin on the Ritz’ was obviously the tune that brought us (Charleston) line-dancers onto the floor (probably about 12 of us this time – tons of fun, cos we don’t care if some of us don’t know what we are doing, thereby getting it wrong sometimes!) The continuing number Max sang brilliantly, being ‘If You’re a Viper’ and again with ‘Freight Train’ too. Once again, he played harmonica, with Bob and Bernie, including the ‘engine’ boys (literally-ha) making the sounds of a train- we just loved it. My last number to tell you of is a famous number of Humphrey Lyttleton’s band, namely ‘Elephant Stomp’. Oh, and that is when John is featured on bass sax. He is spectacular and I aim to video him next time – yes, still working on sorting out videos!!!!! Oh well, when I sort it all out, I shall have to put lighting up for one or two numbers to get better filming. Keep on smiling.

Diane and Keith, jazz lovers, signing off.

‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ – Irving Berlin (1911)

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

‘If You’re a Viper’ – Stuff Smith (1936)

‘Freight Train’ – Elizabeth ‘Libba’ Cotton (circa 1906)

‘Elephant Stomp’ – Al Ferreri & Yannick Singery (circa 1953)

‘Me and the Devil’ – Robert Leroy Johnson (early 1930’s)

‘No Regrets’ – (m) Roy Ingraham (l) Harry Tobias (1936)

‘Oooh! Look-A There, Aint She Pretty’ – (m) Carmen Lombardo, (l) Clarence Todd (1933)

Golden Eagle Jazz Band, Friday, 1st August 2014

GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND returned to play for us at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday 1^st August 2014. The band is led by KEVIN SCOTT, who plays tenor banjo, with MIKE SCROXTON on trumpet, ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, ROY STOKES on trombone & vocals, MIKE BROAD on double bass and PETE JACKMAN on drums. They soon got into the swing and Kevin was once again on form with his jokes (I shan’t quote any, so he can repeat them at other gigs, if he so wants to). The dancing began with the first number, ‘Yes, Yes in Your Eyes’. Another one was sang by Mike (S), namely ‘Ting-a-Ling (The Bells’ll Ring)’ and was enjoyed by musicians and audience alike. Then that great number (recorded by Benny Goodman, plus many more) ‘The World is Waiting for the Sunrise’. My next jotting was a lovely easy to listen and also dance to, namely ‘Barefoot Boy’ with Mike (S) singing. We performed our line-dance to ‘Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’. The number was played at quite a fast tempo, so not quite sure what our audience thought of us, but we all enjoyed dancing it (hmmm). The next number ‘Walking with the King’, was sung by Roy and is a good ol’ trad favourite, so we all sung along too, band and audience alike. Then Mike (S) sang ‘Trombone Blues’ and then ‘Running Wild’ was played spectacularly by everyone. I danced, so couldn’t remark in my notes, but ticked tune big time (when I returned out of breath!) Last number to mention was ‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’ Kevin sang and of course once again, we all joined in the usual place, completing another evening with everyone saying they enjoyed and loved the band.

They will be playing at ‘Ye Olde Whyte Lyon’ Pub at Locks Bottom, on the A21 (Kent) on 24^th August Bank Holiday Sunday (2014), 3.00-6.00pm. The garden has been beautifully refurbished and there will be a barbeque (including usual menu). There is some parking and Sainsbury’s car park at the rear is free on Sundays & Bank Holidays (walk thru slipway to pub). Bus routes from all directions (ask us if you need to know).

Before closing and just a mention, I thought Sunday’s World War One Remembrance Services showed such tremendous organisation by everyone and yes, I lit a candle and blew it out at 11.00pm, but it made me feel so sad. However, the Commonwealth Games were brilliant though, don’t you think. Well done Glasgow and well done the England Teams.

Keep smiling.

Diane and Keith

‘Barefoot Boy’ – John Boylan (1967)

‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’ – Howard Johnson, Billy Moll & Robert A. K. King (1927)

‘Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’ – (m) Billy Meyers & Elmer Schoebel, (l) Gus Kahn & Ernie Erdman (1924)

‘Running Wild’ – (m) A. Harrington Gibbs, (l) Joe Grey & Leo Woods (1922)

‘The World is Waiting for the Sunrise’ – (m) Ernest Seitz (l) Eugene ‘Gene’ Lockhart (Pub 1919)

‘Ting-a-Ling (The Bells’ll Ring) – Irving Berlin (1926)

‘Trombone Blues’ – Fred Jewell (1919)

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

‘Yes, Yes in Your Eyes’ – T Pastor Ork (1949)

N.B. I mentioned this information on the ‘mike’ last year, which was published in our local St. Giles Farnborough Parish Church magazine:

‘This month (August 2014) will have 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays and the phenomenon will only happen once in your lifetime, because it won’t happen for another 823 years!