Monthly Archives: December 2015

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces, 18th December 2015

‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’ 7pce band gave us a fabulous Christmas party at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on Friday, 18th December 2015.  It was our last celebration of the year and beforehand, I mentioned we would have a special surprise guest star for you, a rare occasion, whom I said was not to be missed. Well, that surprise was Santa Claus himself.  He was lovely too.  Well, he wasn’t tired, because he had a whole week before his busy time, bless him.  Thank you Santa, for stopping by.

Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club's Xmas Party,18th December 2015

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club’s Xmas Party,18th December 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt (glad to have you back).

 

Band leader, BOB (trombonist & vocalist) was to be joined by MAX EMMONS, but Max was still unwell (hope you get well soon, Max).

 

 

 

 

Andy Woon, trumpet & Bob in Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club's Xmas Party 18dec2015

Andy Woon, trumpet & Bob (trombone) in Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club’s Xmas Party 18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

However, Bob managed to get us another treat, namely ANDY WOON on trumpet.  Take a moment to listen and read about him (see contacts below).  BERNIE HOLDEN was on clarinet & alto sax, with JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, DAVE PRICE on banjo & guitar and JOHN ELLMER on drums, all brilliant, as usual.

Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnboro JC's Xmas Party 18th December 2015. LroR Andy Woon (trumpet), Bernie Holden (sax), John Elmer (drums) & John Bayne (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt.December 2015. LroR Andy Woon (trumpet), Bernie Holden (sax), John Elmer (drums) & John Bayne (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt.

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough JC’s Xmas Party 18th December 2015.  LtoR  Andy Woon (trumpet), Bernie Holden (sax), John Ellmer (drums) & John Bayne (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt.

 

Hugh Crozier (piano) with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club's Xmas Party 18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Hugh Crozier (piano) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club’s Xmas Party 18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

John Bayne, bass sax Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club's Xmas Party 18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Bayne, bass sax Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club’s Xmas Party 18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

 

Dave Price (banjo&guitar) with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club's Xmas Party,18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Price (banjo&guitar) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club’s Xmas Party,18th December 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

We certainly did have lots of fun, letting our hair down, and yes, smiles and laughter coming out of the rafters, I said before hand, it was to be the order of the day, although no one needed to be forced.  We enjoyed a couple of line-dances, plus a brolly parade (thanks to Steve).  Of course I had told everyone to bring their own food and candelabras and that gave me a chance to enjoy the evening too.  I was too busy dancing, I’m afraid I made no notes of what was played, or any little tit bits of what the band got up to, which makes for good reading.  However, I must mention (for my own memory) is what Keith got up to!  Having had two falls recently (October, to be precise – we both had two falls, for that matter), he had been unable to dance and hadn’t done for a long, long time.  So when they played ‘Change Partners and Dance with Me’, I was shocked to the core, when he asked for a dance.  Not only that, but he danced ‘Fred Astaire fashion’.  I felt sure he was going to do something funny and I would end up on the floor in a heap, but no!  He has been watching too much ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.  What a night for me to remember.  He certainly is an entertainer.  (he’s just said “thanks for telling me, I cant remember it”!  Before I wrap this up, I must thank everyone in the band for doing such a brilliant job and especially a big ‘thank you’ to Andy Woon for giving his all, at a venue he has never played at – we hope you come again.   Now to all our wonderful audience, most of whom are huge regulars, a great big ‘thank you’ from Keith and me for your support throughout.  Plus finally, a special thanks to Ian (President of Sports Club), who does so much for us – unlocking and locking up for us and well as bar  (thanks for Xmas decorations too).  Also bar staff Val, Cathy, Barb and Harry for serving with smiles.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas everyone.  See you next year.  We shall re-start on 8th January 2016 with the Golden Eagle Jazz Band

From Your hosts, Diane & Keith

‘Change Partners and Dance with Me’ – (m&l) Irving Berlin (1937)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY2DArt-9uw

www.leagraham.com/entertainment/jazz-bands/andywoon

Major Tim Peake, British Astronaut’s flight to Space Station

Just a short while ago, 11:03am, 15th December 2015 to be exact, Keith and I watched ‘live’ the successful take-off from Kazakhstan of the Soyuz Rocket, part of the Principia International Space Mission (named so, after Sir Isaac Newton’s book re his law of gravity).  Flying were astronauts (our own) Major Tim Peake (born in Chichester in 1972), his Commander, Russia’s Yuri Malenchenko and America’s Timothy Kopra (from NASA).  The mission is to join the astronaut’s already on the International Space Station to perform more scientific experiments and ‘housekeeping’. 

I really cannot explain, but it has had me in tears – obviously tears of excited emotion at what man has achieved (it beats blowing the world apart!).  As I write this, Tim has just given us the ‘thumbs up’ from the rocket, which is now out in space.  I would like to join the millions of well-wishers for an extremely successful mission.  Good luck to them and everyone involved 

It took me back to 1969 when I tape-recorded (sound only) that space mission to the moon.  I was pregnant with my daughter, Selina.  Her name had been chosen four years previously, when I was pregnant with my son Warren.  How strange that ‘Selina’ has the meaning of ‘moon’, plus her second name ‘Sarah’ means ‘Princess’ and she was born the year they landed on the moon!.  A wonderful coincidence for her.

I know, I’m soppy, but I’d rather be this way, than miserable.

Diane

Bill Phelan’s Muskrat Ramblers, 11th December 2015

We have ‘BILL PHELAN’S MUSKRAT RAMBLERS’ to play for us at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 11th December 2015.  Band leader BILL PHELAN (trumpet & flugelhorn) has booked ALAN CRESSWELL on clarinet, JOHN FINCH on trombone, CHRIS THOMPSON on bass, JOHNNY McCALLUM on banjo&guitar and PAUL NORMAN will be on drums.  Don’t we always bring you fabulous bands, so Friday is a date, yes?  We bring you ‘live’ jazz to dance to, as well as to listen to.

Diane and Keith

P.S.  Change of plans for next week’s Party, Entrance £15, bring your own food (& candelabras if you want). Plus temporary times just  for the day – music 8:30pm till 11:30pm.

Hershey and the Hot Shots, 5th December 2015

This was ‘HERSHEY AND THE HOT SHOTS’ very first visit to  FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on 5th December 2015.  The guys in the band who played were PETER LEONARD (trumpet &vocals), TIM HUSKISSON (clarinet &alto sax), PAUL TAYLOR (trombone), ANDREW CLANCY (piano), ROGER CURPHEY (string bass) and GRAHAM COLLICOTT (drums).

Hershey and the Hotshots play for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. (LtoR) Paul Taylor (trombone), Graham Collicott (drums), Peter Leonard (trumpet&vocs), Roger Curphey (double bass), Tim Huskisson (clarinet&alto sax) and Andrew Clancy (piano). Photo by Jill Alexander.

Hershey and the Hotshots play for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. (LtoR) Paul Taylor (trombone), Graham Collicott (drums), Peter Leonard (trumpet&vocs), Roger Curphey (double bass), Tim Huskisson (clarinet&alto sax) and Andrew Clancy (piano). Photo by Jill Alexander.

It was Andrew’s first time here, but the rest have all played here before with other bands.  Peter played here a long time ago, with George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s band.  It was back in 2014 (4th April and 4th July 2014) and he remember it too – nice one.  Paul was here for Keith’s birthday in last August with ‘Harry Strutters Hot Seven’.  The rest of the band you know well.   I have to apologise too, for being so late with this newsletter, especially being their first time together.  I had mislaid my notes (well, it was Christmas time) to remind me of what they played and is no reflection on how they played.  They certainly played some exciting jazz, great for dancing, as well as listening to … getting us in the festive spirit (that included my bah humbug, Keith ha).  Here goes to let you know what was played and my first choice of song is ‘Baby Wont You Please Come Home’, sung beautifully by Peter and everyone played well, with particular mention of Andrew.

'Hershey and the Hotshots' play for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. Peter & Graham play fab duet. Photo by Jill Alexander.

‘Hershey and the Hotshots’ play for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. Peter & Graham play fab duet. Photo by Jill Alexander.

Graham’s partner, Jill (as promised) led us into some swinging line-dancing with their next tune, being the ‘Charleston’.  I believe Jill was a dance teacher and she certainly got us going.  As for the next one, ‘Hyawatha Rag’, they were all brilliant and I particularly loved the excellent bit of trumpet and drumming duet from Peter and Graham in the middle.  As already mentioned, it was Andrew’s first time here and we all thoroughly enjoyed his playing especially to Do I Want You (Indeed I Do)’Then I can remember the dance floor was highly used with everyone singing when they played ‘All Of Me’, as was too with the next number, ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’.  We obviously love a song or two in the audience – ha).   Our photographer friend Mike was still away and luckily Jill Alexander and Peter Marr took these photos of the band to make the evening.  It certainly makes a difference to see some photos, even when the lighting isn’t so good (a bit atmospheric, don’t you agree?)  Anyway, Keith had a sit-in next, whilst Graham had a dance with Jill (foxtrot I think).  The tune beingMy September In The Rain’, with Peter playing lovely muted trumpet and also singing.

'Hershey and the Hotshots' playing for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. (LtoR) Paul Taylor (trombone), (Keith Grant has sit-in on drums), Roger Curphey (double bass), Peter Leonard (trumpet&vocs), Tim Huskisson (clarinet&alto sax) and (out of view) Andrew Clancy (piano) and drummer Graham Caulicott dances with Jill.  Photo by Peter Marr.

‘Hershey and the Hotshots’ playing for the first time at Farnborough Jazz Club on 4th December 2015. (LtoR) Paul Taylor (trombone), (Keith Grant has sit-in on drums), Roger Curphey (double bass), Peter Leonard (trumpet&vocs), Tim Huskisson (clarinet&alto sax) and (out of view) Andrew Clancy (piano) and drummer Graham Caulicott dances with Jill. Photo by Peter Marr.

 

Harry Warren (composer &lyricist) and Alexander 'Al' Dubin (lyricist) of ‘My September In The Rain’.

Harry Warren (composer &lyricist) and Alexander ‘Al’ Dubin (lyricist) of ‘My September In The Rain’.

What a super Louis hit tune came next, ‘Swing That Music’, with part of it being played only by Peter, Paul and Mar…no, I mean Tim, the front liners only, absolutely wonderful.  Graham gave a great drum solo too.  They finished off with Glen Miller’s In The Mood’, just fabulous, everyone played their socks off – Paul on trombone, Peter on trumpet, Tim on clarinet, our Roger on string bass, Graham on drums and our newcomer Andrew.  Another fantastic night. Those who were there listening, thoroughly enjoyed themselves thanks boys.

Your hosts of the evening of ‘live’ jazz,

Diane and Keith

‘All of Me’ – Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons (1931)
‘Baby Won’t You Please Come Home’ – (m) Charles Warfield, (l) Clarence Williams (1919)
‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ – (m) Ray Henderson, (l) Mort Dixon (1926)
‘Charleston’- (m) James Price Johnson, (l) Cecil Mack (1923)
‘Do I Want You (Indeed I Do)’ – Frank Edward Wilson (1965)
‘Hiawatha Rag’ – (m) Chas N Daniels aka Neil Moret (1901), (l) James O’Deo (added 1903)
‘In The Mood’ – (m) Joe Garland, (l) Andy Razaf (1939)
‘My September In The Rain’ – (m) Harry Warren, (l) Alexander ‘Al’ Dubin (1937)
‘Swing that Music’ – Horace Gorlach & Louis Armstrong (1936)