Monthly Archives: January 2016

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces, 29th January 2016

“Here we are at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB again, at the end of the first month of 2016 already! Friday, 29th January 2016 to be precise. Weather holding its own thank goodness (apart from a couple of days of bitterly cold raw ones last week)”. That was how I advertised we were to have BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES back. It was good to hear MAX EMMONS was well again and on trumpet & harmonica (even though Andy Woon was super – thanks to him for filling in during previous gigs). 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 GRAHAM COLLICOTE was be back again on drums (likewise thanks to John Elmer for his filling in, prior). Of course we had BOB DWYER on trombone. This band is one of our club’s favourite. Bob always does his best to please us and our crowd and here are some of the tunes they chose to perform.

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. (LtoR) Dave Price (bnj), (hidden-Graham Collicote drms), Bob Dwyer (trb), Max Emmons (trp), Bernie Holden (sax).( hidden-John Bayne dbass) & Hugh Crozier (pno). Photo by Mike Witt.

Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. (LtoR) Graham Collicote (drms), Bob Dwyer (trb), Max Emmons (trp), Bernie Holden (sax) & Hugh Crozier (pno). hidden Dave Price (bnj) & John Bayne (dbass). Photo by Mike Witt.

Bernie Holden on sax and John Bayne on double bass with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt

Dave Price on banjo and Graham Collicote on drums with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Let’s see, well Bernie played clarinet with ‘Buddy’s Habits’, (I jotted down ‘Dave on banjo and John on double bass’ – must have been great). Next to mention is Max, who sang ‘Shimmy Like My Sister Kate’ and everyone excelling. Then a lovely tango with a great solo from Dave on banjo and the song – ‘Isle of Capri’.

Hugh Crozier (piano) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough JC 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Hugh featured next with some boogie woogie. He is a brilliant pianist, who comes up with different numbers every time and this time, it was a ‘Pine Top’ Smith number, ‘Jump Steady Blues’. He is so talented. Now Keith doesn’t dance as much as he did years ago, but I can usually get him up with this song, ‘Change Partners and Dance With Me’, it is so lovely (just thought, perhaps it’s because he wants to change his partner, ha. No – never!).

John Bayne on bass sax (big Bertha) with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Bayne on bass sax (I call it ‘big Bertha’) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Moving on, once again, I just had to ask John to play ‘Elephant Stomp’. We had some new people in the audience and he is absolutely brilliant playing ‘big bertha’ (my name for bass sax) and as usual, he received huge applause, of course.

Max Emmons plays trumpet & harmonica with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Graham Collicotte plays drums with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Folsam Prison Blues (I Hear The Train a Comin)’ has to have a mention, with Max on harmonica and singing (plus Graham on drums). Everybody just loves this, he is brilliant and puts so much effort into it – wowie – fantastic. Then to follow on with a ‘gentle one’ and allow everyone to catch their breathe, is a must!

Bob Dwyer with his Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.29Jan2016 2148

But then, Bob is so thoughtful and always plays (and sings romantically) our dear friend, Lesley Baguley’s number, ‘Nice to Know You Care’. It is a very romantic one to dance to, so plenty of takers on the dance floor. My last number to mention (although not their last) is ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ – yes, our line-dance and sung brilliantly by Hugh. I daren’t mention any more. But all this surely will tempt you to come and enjoy yourselves here on a Friday.

Diane and Keith (your hosts)

‘Buddy’s Habits’ – Arnet Nelson & Charles T Straight (1923)

‘Change Partners and Dance with Me’ – Irving Berlin (1938)

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

‘Folsam Prison Blues (I Hear The Train a Comin)’ – Johnny Cash (1955)

‘Isle of Capri’ – (m) Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams), (l) by Jimmy Kennedy (1934)

‘Jump Steady Blues’ – Clarence ‘Pine Top’ Smith, (1929)

‘Nice To Know You Care’ – (m) Leslie Baguley, (l) Norman Newell (1947)

‘Puttin On the Ritz’ – Irving Berlin (1929)

‘Shimmy Like my Sister Kate’ – (composers?) © Clarence Williams & Armand Piron (1915)

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band, 22nd January 2016

The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND were here again on 22^nd January 2016 at Farnborough Jazz Club. As you must know by now, ROBIN COOMBS is recovering from a serious illness, so drummer, ALAN CLARKE. is running the band in his absence. Of course, we all wish Robin well and he has promised that he and Pauline will join our audience as much as possible. Alan booked the usual guys, namely PAUL HIGGS on trumpet, BILL TODD on trombone, DAVE BARNES on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass, JOHN STUART on banjo & guitar and CHARLES SHERWOOD again stepped in for Robin, on clarinet. Together, they all had the place buzzing. Charles sounded wonderful, not easy to take over from a band leader and a friend to boot, when that person has been so ill – I would think it makes you feel horrible. However, second time round, Charles relaxed, like the pro’ he is.

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd Jjanuary 2016. ( LtoR) John Stuart (banjo), Bill Todd (trombone), Alan Clarke (drums), Paul Higgs (trumpet), Roger Curphey (d.bass), Charles Sherwood (reeds) & Dave Barnes (piano). Photo by Mike Witt.

They began with ‘Hindustan’, a great ol’ favourite and straight away set the pace for the evening. Then what about their next number, ‘Darktown Strutter’s Ball’? That certainly takes one back to early dancing days – doesn’t it?

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

Now, I missed the next number (probably someone arrived), but I caught the band laughing about how Alan didn’t get his drum solo when he should have. So they dedicated the next one to him, namely ‘Cute’. Of course he got all the drum-breaks he could want – ha. Don’t you just love musicians’ humour? Then to rest us dancers (well the musicians too, of course), they changed the tempo and Dave sang ‘Sweet Loraine’.

Pianist Dave Barnes with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. (LtoR) Bill Todd, John Stuart, Paul Higgs, Charles Sherwood & Alan Clarke. Photo by Mike Witt.

Bill Todd on trombone with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. (left John Stuart on banjo and right Alan Clarke on drums). Photo by Mike Witt.

John Stuart is featired on banjo with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Stuart is featured on banjo with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Next came a number that just enticed us up again for a line-dance (no one said a word either, they just looked at one-another and got up!). The tune was ‘Twelfth Street Rag’ and by coincidence, twelve of us got up. What a great song, I clearly remember loving this one as a little girl – “do, wacka do, wacka do, wacka do” remember? Bill sang the next one, ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ (he’s got a good range) and then John was featured, backed by the rest of the ‘engine’, the song was ‘Honeysuckle Rose’.

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.

Paul is a brilliant trumpeter, but I particularly made a note of Paul’s playing here (with his lovely iridescent green trumpet) and the number was ‘At The Jazz Band Ball’, marvelous. Plus, everyone had great solos in ‘Struttin’ With Some Barbecue’, absolutely fabulous too. We had enjoyed the line-dance before, so much, that everyone got up again to ‘Cantina Band’ with a Charleston thread and if I’ve got that right, it was a number one hit from the ‘Star Wars’ film and written by John Williams. What a fabulous number – they must do it again … please?

What a picture, what a photograph! These two likely lads are Roger Curphey and Paul Higgs seen here with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Looking forward to their next gig, which is on 11th March 2016. Jazz and dancing certainly can chase all the blues away and will warm you up at the same time. If you missed us this week, then make a point of coming and give us a try. The music starts at 8:00pm till 11:00pm. The bar has club prices, with plenty of free car parking and a wonderful friendly atmosphere and entrance is just £10.

‘Live’ music at its best.

Diane and Keith

‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ – (m) Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields (1917) (l’s added 1950 by Johnny Mercer)

‘Cantina Band’ – John Williams (1977)

‘Cute’ – (m) Neil Paul Heifti, (l) Stanley Styne (1958)

‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ – (m) Duke Ellington, (l) Bob Russell (1942)

‘Darktown Strutter’s Ball’ – Shelton Brooks (1917)

‘Hindustan’ – (m) Harold Weeks, (l) Oliver G Wallace (1917)

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

‘South Rampart Street Parade’ – (m) Ray Bauduc & Bobby Haggart (1938), (l) Steve Allen (circa 1950)

‘Struttin With Some Barbecue’ – (m) Lillian Hardin & Louis Armstrong, (l) Don Raye (1927)

‘Sweet Lorraine’ – (m) Cliff Burwell, (l) Mitchell Parish (1928)

‘Twelfth Street Rag’ – Euday L. Bowman (1914 (l) James S. Sumner (1919)

Martyn Brothers Jazz Band, 15th January 2016

On Friday, 15th January 2016, we had something special to help me celebrate my birthday, the MARTYN BROTHERS with a difference. Emile was away in New Orleans with his Dad (Barry Martyn), so it was the Martyn Brother (singular) – BEN MARTYN on double bass & vocals, playing here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB . Ben had booked ALLEN BEECHEY on cornet, GEORGE SIMMONDS on trombone, RICHIE HOWARD on clarinet, IAN BEETLESTONE on piano, JOHN ‘flashback radio’ RUSCOE on guitar and DOM COLES on drums. Yes, you’ve got it, this was a special with there being seven of them, proving to be a very exciting evening – well they are never anything else, but exciting – plenty of exuberance from these young men.

Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on 15th Janauary 2016. (LtoR) Ben Martyn on double bass, Richie Howard on clarinet, Dom Coles on drums, Allen Beechey on cornet, Ian Beetlestone on piano, George Simmonds on trombone and John ‘flashback radio’ Ruscoe on guitar. Photo by Mike Witt.

Great to see young men playing ‘traditional’ and ‘New Orleans’ music, and this is how the evening went. They played Hanley’s ‘Saint Louis Blues’ (one of Louis Armstrong’s numbers). My next choice to mention is ‘Shake That Thing’ of Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band fame and they played it absolutely brilliantly, What a front line. it sure got everyone up to dance. Then they played a jazzed up version of ‘Just a Little While To Stay Here’, giving it a lot of light and shade – showing their maturity with this music – wonderful.

Ben Martyn plays double bass with his Martyn Brothers Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on 15th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 15th Janauary 2016. (LtoR) Ben Martyn on double bass, Richie Howard on clarinet, Dom Coles on drums, Allen Beechey on cornet, George Simmonds on trombone and John 'flashback radio' Ruscoe on guitar. Photo by Mike Witt.

Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 15th January 2016. (LtoR) Ben Martyn on double bass, Richie Howard on clarinet, Dom Coles on drums, Allen Beechey on cornet, George Simmonds on trombone and John ‘flashback radio’ Ruscoe on guitar. Photo by Mike Witt.

Richie Howard plays clarinet with Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz club on 15th January 2016. (just visible - Ian Beetlestone on piano). Photo by Mike Witt.

Richie Howard plays clarinet with Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th January 2016. (just visible – Ian Beetlestone on piano). Photo by Mike Witt.

Ben sang and played the piano to his own song ‘My Heart stays In New Orleans’. Not having had a piano with them here before, we had never seen him play one. It was lovely to see his other ‘bow’. With the next number, we were up instantly and on the dance floor for our line-dance – ‘Cheek To Cheek’ of course – fantastic. The ‘engine boys’ certainly did their bit. Then George sang ‘I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You’ and what a song, one of those ‘in your face’ songs and George made a great job with it.

Martyn Bros @ Farnborough, Kent 15jan2016. The ‘engine’ (LtoR) Dom Coles on drums, Ian Beetlestone on piano and John ‘Flashback Radio’ Ruscoe. (up front) Allen Beechey on cornet and George Simmonds on trombone. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Brown Ale Pete’ (Peter Marr) sings with the Martyn Brothers at Farnborough Jazz Club on 15th January 2016. (Ian Beetlestone on piano). Photo by Mike Witt.

Then Ben called ‘Brown Ale Pete’ (Peter Marr) out of the audience to sing. Pete chose to sing ‘Rosetta’, it is times like this, I so wished I was recording. Pete is such a lovely character and sings so well. Ben followed on with singing ‘The Glory Of Love’, another wonderful singer (oh so many great jazz singers about). Well, George ended the evening singing a Dixieland number (from the film The Jungle Book’) ‘I Wan’na Be Like You’. It was Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang that made this brilliant tune, with the cartoon emulating what he and the boys did whilst playing it. You can see some rare footage of this and the story behind it, click on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV8HrpOu1FA Young George was fabulous singing it too. Thanks Martyn Boys, for making my birthday such a wonderful one, even though it was actually three days before. Well, when you get to my age (thirty-several and a bit more) you are glad to reach another one.

Nothing like ‘live’ jazz and great a younger generation is enjoying playing it too.

Diane & Keith

‘Cheek to Cheek’ by Irving Berlin (1935)

‘I Wanna Be Like You’ – Robert & Richard Sherman (1967)

‘I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You’ – Lovin’ Sam Thaird (1929)

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

‘My Heart stays In New Orleans – Ben Martyn (

‘Rosetta’ – (m) Earl Hines, (l) Henri Woode (1928/1933/1935)

‘Saint Louis Blues’ – W.C. Hanley (1914)

‘Shake That Thing’- ‘Papa’ Charlie Jackson (1925)

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

P.S. I’m sure you will enjoy this watercolour cartoon painting of Keith’s for me. He’s brilliant, isn’t he. Do you like my nobbly knees? I said he had given me bigger feet than his. He said of course, I dance more than him – ha. Diane

Keith's watercolour painting for Diane's birthday 12Jan2016 (Keith always paints his greetings cards for Diane!)

Keith’s watercolour cartoon painting for Diane’s birthday 12Jan2016 (Keith always paints his greetings cards for Diane!)

Golden Eagle Jazz Band, 8th January 2016

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)

Important Announcement

We have another very sad announcement to make and am finding it so very hard to find the right words to tell you. Sadly we have lost another great and much loved musician. Johnny Rodgers passed away on 3rd January 2016. As many of you know, it was after a very long battle with a nasty illness. Johnny was a wonderful clarinet and saxophone player.

I’m sure you will join us and send much love to his lovely wife, Cathy (keep strong Cathy).

Diane, Keith and all at Farnborough Jazz Club.

Jim (‘Jimbo’) Pack, 10th May 1932 – 16th December 2015 Photo archivist for Just Jazz Magazine

How sad to begin the New Year with the news of the passing of a dear friend to everyone. ‘Jimbo’, as he was affectionately known, was an absolute Star (with a capital S) in our jazz world. When he walked into a venue, he brought an absolute feeling of warmth. Few people have it, that immediate buzz to the air, that aura of presence and Jimbo was one of them. He never showed anger, or gossiped about anyone and I’m sure those of you who knew him will agree. Keith and I have only known him personally for about thirty years.

He first came to us at Badger’s Mount Jazz Club (‘Eagles Nest’), Polehill, Kent. He was ‘roadie’ with Laurie Chescoe’s Good Time Jazz and oh what days they were! That venue was razed to the ground for a car park, so we moved to Farnborough Jazz Club. When ‘Jimbo’ appeared, he would join me on the ‘mic’ and tell some corker jokes. He was ‘Sound and Lighting Technician’ at many Jazz Weekends, plus Grand Marshall at many funerals of famous musicians, one of those, being dear ol’ George Webb. I could mention lots more, but it would fill a book. I expect they needed him wherever we ‘go’ to! Who will take his place here, is what I want to know? No-one can, aye.

Diane Pratt

Farnborough Jazz Club