Monthly Archives: May 2016

‘Bill Phelan’s Muskrat Ramblers’, Friday, 27th May 2016

We welcomed ‘BILL PHELAN’S MUSKRAT RAMBLERS’ back again to FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 27^th May 2016. Band leader BILL PHELAN played both trumpet & flugabone. He was joined by ALAN CRESSWELL, who played clarinet, JOHN FINCH was on trombone, ANDY LAWRENCE, double bass, JOHNNY McCALLUM, banjo & guitar and PAUL NORMAN who played drums. It was another expected evening of super traditional jazz and they didn’t disappoint us. Keith and I thought they played the best we had ever heard them too, because they were really enjoying themselves.

‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 27th May 2016. (LtoR) Andy Lawrence (double bass), John Finch (trombone &vocals), Paul Norman (drums), Bill Phelan (band leader, trurmpet & Flugabone), Johnny McCallum (banjo & guitar) and Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Photo by Mike Witt.

Paul Norman plays drums for ‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

They played some good numbers and here are some of them. Quite obviously, they always begin their evening with ‘Muskrat Ramble’ and although I was busy ‘on the door’, I recall they all excelled, Paul was brilliant on drums, with everyone taking thunderously good solos. I also recall Bill joking that Paul doesn’t like the number – ha, he didn’t show it in his playing.

Then on announcing their next number, ‘Ciribiribin’, Alan called out (again jokingly) ‘he doesn’t like this one any better’ – ha. You may recall I love this tune, as I wrote to one of the composers, Jack Lawrence, (first time ever writing to a composer). I was contacted by his friend (also Diane), who explained that Jack had died a year before. He had been answering everyone who wrote, right up until his demise, aged 96 (on 15th March 2009)! She said it had felt like a time warp, so this number feels special to me (funny, my Mum’s birthday was 15th March). Continuing on … Bill played wonderful trumpet, with John’s super singing to ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’, with all of us up dancing too.

‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th May 2016. (LtoR) John Finch (trombone), Johnny McCallum (banjo), Bill Finch (trumpet) and Alan Cresswell (clarinet). Photo by Mike Witt.

Johnny McCallum plays banjo for ‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Johnny McCallum plays guitar for ‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Johnny showed his 20yrs with Chris Barber, when he played solo during the following tune ‘Canal Street Blues’, such a lovely banjo player, as well as guitarist. Bill was brilliant on trumpet too. The next tune, ‘Mood Indigo’, we were able to ‘smooch’ to – yes, there were some ‘smooching’ on the floor too, oh I mean dance floor – ha.

Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Pau Normanl (drums) and Johnny McCallum (banjo), three of Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers, playing at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Band leader Bill Phelan, plays trumpet with Johnny McCallum on banjo and Alan Cresswell on clarinet with ‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Following on, — Bill played his flugabone as a duet with John (F) on trombone, to ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’. It was a super sound, then with everybody joining in. Alan was featured next with ‘Petite Fleur’ and a damn good job he did, playing it so beautifully.

Andy Lawrence plays double bass for ‘Bill Phelan’s Muscrat Ramblers’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 27th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Too Busy’ is a lovely up-tempo number and about five of us performing our line-dance. Not many aye, but that made it all the more fun and I can remember thinking how great all their solos were – Andy (my great country man – private joke) great on double bass. I had put a couple of ticks against the following tune ‘Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again’, because of the lovely sound of John (F) singing and everyone getting up to dance. ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ is the tune they always like to end the evening with and I wrote the word ‘dynamite’ in my notes – surely I need no other words, do I.

Your hosts, Diane and Keith

‘Big Butter and Egg Man’ – Percy Venables & Louis Armstrong (1926)

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

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

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

‘Mood Indigo’- (m) Duke Ellington & Barney Bigard, (l) Irving Mills (1930)

‘Muskrat Ramble’ – (m) Edward ‘Kid’ Ory (1926), (l) Ray Gilbert (added 1950)

‘Petite Fleur’ – Sidney Bechet (1952)

‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ – (m) Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard,(l) Kenneth Casey (1925)

‘Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again’ – (m) Larry Shay, (l) Joe Goodwin (1924)

‘Too Busy’ – (m) Chester Cohn, (l) Ned Miller (1928)

Mahogany Hall Stompers, 20th May 2016

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS, was our band who entertain us at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent) on Friday 20^th May 2016. Band leader, BRIAN GILES (cornet) had a couple of changes to his band, namely TONY TEALE on reeds and COLIN GRAHAM on trombone. He had his usual ‘engine boys’ – ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALBUTT on banjo and vocals, CHRIS MARCHANT on drums and ROGER CURPHEY and double bass. But we had a lovely extra surprise, because TIM HUSKISSON couldn’t play with the band due to a previous engagement, but which was then cancelled and thus being free, kindly offered to join the band on piano, instead of his usual clarinet with them. So we had a seven-piece band, which made for some lovely music by these combined musicians.

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2015. (LtoR) Colin Graham (trombone), Chris Marchant (drums), Brian Gyles (band leader & trumpeter), ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt (banjo), Tony Teale (clarinet) and not in picture – Roger Curphey (double bass) and Tim Huskisson (piano). Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Engine’ of Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2015. (LtoR) Roger Curphey (double bass), Tim Huskisson (piano), Chris Marchant (drums) and just out of view) ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

The first number (aptly chosen) was a ‘Louis’ number, ‘Mahogany Hall Stomp’. However, with people turning up, I didn’t have time to write any special notes, but I did write all dancers were out on the floor for Bix Beiderbecke’s number, ‘That Dah Dah Strain’. That was followed by ‘I’ve Gotta Feeling I’m Falling’. Tony took to tenor sax and what was special, was Brian playing trumpet in a duet with Roger, on double bass (both brilliant).

Tony Teale plays clarinet for Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

This was followed by a lovely dancing number, ‘Kid’ Ory’s ‘South’, with super trombone playing from Colin (Tony chose to play clarinet). I just love Bob’s deep, deep voice and he sang a good old favourite tune next, being ‘There’s An Old Spinning Wheel’, also a lovely tempo for dancing too. So too the next number ‘Singin’ The Blues, Till My Daddy Comes Home’ – bringing on a lot of dancers, all having fun!

Chris Marchant & ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt play for Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2015. Photo by Mike Witt

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2015. (LtoR) Band leader Brian Gyles (trumpet), Chris Marchant (drums), Tony Teale (tenor Sax) and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Another tune to mention is ‘Pretty Baby’. We certainly had some pretty music, with some great solos from everyone – especially Tim on piano and Chris on drums plus of course, sung by Bob. The evening had some pretty special people turning up too, one such family being Colin Dobson, his wife Jo and accompanied by son-in-law, Jim. So the band played ‘Somebody Stole My Gal’ (sung by Bob) especially in recognition of Colin and his days on trumpet in the ‘Billy Cotton Band Show’. The number was their signature tune – see ‘You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-mgZm-E8wo (you can see ten-minutes of one of the shows in 1964).

Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 20th May 2016.(LtoR) Colin Graham (trombone), Tim Huskisson (piano), Brian Gyles (trumpet&band leader), Roger Curphey (double bass) and Tony Teale (clarinet). Not in picture – Chris Marchant (drums) and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt (banjo&vocals). Photo by Mike Witt.

Our other special visitors were Penny (daughter of George Web) and Peter (with friends Valerie and Tony from France) and they all enjoyed dancing, lovely to see them. I was dancing to the next ‘Copenhagen’, so no little notes, I just enjoyed! We also had our visiting dancers, Linda and John, who enjoyed (nice to see them as they travel far). Their closing number was a rip-roaring one to end another happy evening (Keith danced again too – Joyful!) the number – ‘When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’. P.S, comment from Mike Witt: “This band really gelled. Magnifique!. Pix follow”

Diane and Keith

‘Copenhagen’ – Charlie Davis, (l) Walter Melrose (1924)

‘I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling’ – Fats Waller (1929)

‘Mahogany Hall Stomp’ – Spencer Williams (1929)

‘Pretty Baby’ – (m) Tony Jackson (1912) & Egbert Van Alstyne, (l) Gus Kahn (1916)

‘Singin’ The Blues, Till My Daddy Comes Home’ – (m) Con Conrad & J.D. Robinson, (l) Sam M Lewis & Joe Young (1920)

‘Somebody Stole My Gal’ – Leo Wood (1918)

‘South’ – Thamen Hayes & Bennie Moten (1924) (lyrics added later by Ray Charles)

‘That Da Da Strain’ – Edgar Dowell (1922)

‘There’s An Old Spinning Wheel’ – Williams J. ‘Billy’ Hill (1930)

‘When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ – Irvin Berlin (1912)

Mardi Gras JazzBand, 13th May 2016

MARDI GRAS JAZZBAND were back here at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 13^th May 2016. The musicians were (leader) ROB PEARCE on trombone, with LEIGH HENSON on trumpet &vocals, JOHN ELLMER on reeds, JOHN STUART on banjo & guitar, MARC EASENER on double bass &sousaphone and PAUL BAKER on drums. (Hi Joyful – keep smiling).

Hey it’s the Mardi Gras JazzBand with band leader Rob Pearce (trombone), Leigh Henson (trumpe/vocalst), John Ellmer (reeds&things), Marc Easener (bass /sousaphone), John Stewart (banjo/guitar) and Paul Baker (drums). at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

To advertise the evening, I mentioned this band has always excited everyone and certainly lures everyone onto the dance floor. However, a few of our dancers were absent, due to holidays etc., (their mum’s letters were obtained, but they forgot to bring them last week!). Thus, we had less dancers to help with our atmosphere. The band had a hard job playing without that atmosphere, but after a while, they relaxed and by the later part of the evening, we ‘got going’. My first number to mention was not their first, but Rob told us a super bit of information. The tune was ‘Buddy Bolden’s Blues’, fabulously played. The info was about a little known show in New York about Buddy Bolden. He had played trombone in the accompanying orchestra. What a marvellous addition to his C.V.

Mardi Gras JazzBand’s front line – John Ellmer (tenor sax), Leigh Henson (trumpe)t and Rob Pearce (trombone) at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

We had a few dancers on for ‘St. Louis Blues’. I had put three ticks beside this number and again, against the next one too. It was ‘Blue Moon’ and Leigh sang it rather beautifully (including me – probably not so beautifully – at the back of the room, because I love it!).

John Stewart on guitar and Paul Baker on drums with Mardi Gras Jazzband at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Engine Boys’ of Mardi Gras JazzBand playing at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. (L2R) Marc Easener (bass), Paul Baker (drums) and John Stewart (guitar). Photo by Mike Witt.

John Ellmer plays blocks&cymbals with Paul Baker on drums and Marc Easener on plus Leigh Henson on trumpet for Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

During the evenings last session, Leigh sang ‘Doctor Jazz’, which had John not only playing clarinet, but also cymbals and bar, great fun. As if three ticks show how good the number was played, I put five against the next one, because they were all absolutely fabulous with ‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’, plus another brilliant voice – John this time. Then Rob was able to show his talent with ‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’, an excellent performance and (I think) a coda better than Kid Ory’s – ha (up and down the scales spectacularly – I cannot explain it better than that). I thought he couldn’t get as good as that, but I was wrong.

Marc Easener (dont you just love the sousaphone) with Mardi Gras JazzBand at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 13th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Next, Rob and Marc played some brilliant harmonizing between them on trombone and sousaphone as an intro to ‘Lou-i-Easy-An-I-A’. A great favourite, sung by John and a real ‘hot’ number played superbly by the ‘engine boys’, Marc, Paul and John (S) . Then Rob called a friend, Barry Vegas, up to sing. He was lovely, singing some of my favourite numbers, ‘It Had To Be You’ and ‘A Foggy Day In London Town’, which blended into ‘You’re Nobody, Till Somebody Loves You’. Plenty of dancing (including Keith asking me to dance! Yes, I mean it – he’s getting romantic again – ha). My last number to mention is a ‘Louis’ one, ‘The Georgia Grind’, so much fun, with Leigh singing and lots of dancing. It’s a shame people are shy to get up a dance, until someone gets up first. We don’t look or judge anyone dancing, we are all different and we are not ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, it is just fun to dance and gives some exercise perhaps needed too. Thanks Mardi Gras, I hope you enjoyed your gig in the grounds at Westminster Abbey on Monday (16th) playing in a marque – for 500 Canadians, I bet they loved you. See you next month – 24th June.

‘Keep on jazzing to ‘live’ music with

Diane and Keith

‘A Foggy Day In London Town’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) Ira Gershwin (1937)

‘Blue Moon’ – (m) Richard Rogers, (l) Lorenz Hart (1934)

‘Buddy Bolden’s Blues’ – (m) Buddy Bolden (pre 1906), (l) Jelly Roll Morton (recorded 1939)

‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’ – Louis Alter & Eddie DeLange (1946)

‘Hello Central, Give Me Doctor Jazz’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver & Walter Melrose (1926)

‘It Had To Be You’ – (m) Isham Jones, (l) Gus Khan (1924)

‘Lou-i-Easy-An-I-A’ (Louisiana) – Joe Darensbourg (circa 1949)

‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’ – Edward ‘Kid’ Ory (1921)

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

‘The Georgia Grind’ – Spencer Williams (1926)

‘You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You’ – Russ Morgan, Larry Stock, and James Cavanaugh (1944)

Tony Pitt’s All Stars, Friday 6th May 2016

TONY PITT’S ALL STARS came to entertain us again at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent) on FRIDAY, 6^th May 2016 and what entertainment and a half it was!. Banjoist TONY had his great friends with him, being ALAN GRESTY on trumpet, DAVE HEWITT on trombone &baritone horn, AL NICHOLS on reeds, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass and JOHN ELMER on drums. Brilliant evening from brilliant musicians. It was a hot evening, both weather-wise and music-wise. They began wearing their lovely white jackets, looking very professional as always, but it was too hot to keep them on.

‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ on a hot evening (heat-wise & jazz-wise) at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. (LtoR) Andy Lawrence (d.bass), Dave Hewitt (trombone), John Ellmer (drums), Alan Gresty (trumpet), Tony Pitt (banjo) and Al Nicholls (tenor & alto saxes). Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. Band leader Tony Pit – rightt (banjo). then (LtoR) Al Nicolls (alto sax), Alan Gresty (trumpet), Andy Lawrence (d.bass) and John Ellmer (drums). Photo by Mike Witt.

My first choice of songs to mention is ‘Farewell Blues’. I was busy with people coming in to the club, so took no notes. However, Django Reinhart does a wonderful recording of it on You Tube, so was able to recall them playing it. I also recall our dance floor was flooded with everyone dancing to the next tune ‘When Everyone Thinks You’re Wonderful’. Dave played baritone horn and Al on tenor sax – fabulous – a lovely sound.

Alan Gresty (trumpet) and Al Nicolls (tenor sax) are driven by John Ellmer on drums with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt

Dave Hewitt plays baritone horn (sorry can’t see his face) with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. Behind him are Andy Lawrence (d.bass) and John Ellmer (drums). Photo by Mike Witt.

Following came ‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ and was sung by Alan. We all got up to perform our line-dance. We do have a lot of fun (Charleston style), because we don’t care if we make mistakes, it’s all about loving the music. Well, our next number, again had the floor full of dancers, Alan sang, with Dave (again) on baritone horn and Al on alto sax. That tune was ‘Curse Of An Aching Heart’, I don’t think it has been played recently, if at all at the club – certainly a ‘hot’ tune.

Tony Pitt takes a solo at Farnborough Jazz Club with his own band – ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ on 6th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Then Tony played a wonderful introduction to ‘The Sheik of Araby’ and what a fabulous five minutes of brilliance came from the boys – fantastic drumming (solo) from John, well fabulous solos from all of them.

Al Nicholls on alto sax, one of the stars in ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6h May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

After the break, they began with ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’. Dave on baritone horn and Al on tenor sax this time. Plus with the next number, Al did a splendid job on tenor again to ‘Black & Blue’ and our dance floor was chock-a-block with dancers. I can couple the last two numbers together, because I had put three ticks against both tunes, I also wrote ‘fab solos from everyone’, again against both numbers (with tenor on first and alto against the last one). The numbers were ‘Blue, Turning Grey Over You’ and Louis Armstrong’s 1938 version of ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’. I can remember standing with Keith and we both had our mouths agog, thrilled to bits and loving every minute of it all. Just one thing to add and that is they will be back on Keith’s actual birthday, Friday, 12th August 2016. FAB-U-LOUS.

Tony’s two Al’s – Alan Gresty (trumpet) and Al Nicholls (saxes) with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

What about the ‘Engine’ too – of ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. (LtoR) Andy Laurence (d.bass), John Ellmer (drums) and Tony Pitt (Band Leader & banjo) Photo by Mike Witt.

How’s that for a great front line? (LtoR) Dave Hewitt (trombone), Alan Gresty (trumpet) and Al Nicholls (tenor sax) with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 6th May 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

P.S. You can catch up with the Newsletter for Golden Eagle Jazz Band, dated Friday, 5th July 2015. It contains a fantastic photo of our two 007’s on raffle duty.

Diane and Keith

‘Black and Blue (What Did I Do To Be So)’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Harry Brooks & Andy Razaf (1929)

‘Blue, Turning Grey Over You’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Andy Razaf (1929)

‘Curse Of An Aching Heart’ – (m) Al Piantadosi, (l) Henry Fink (1913)

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

‘Farewell Blues’ – (m) Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo & Elmer Schoebel (1922)

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

‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’ – (m) John Turner Layton jnr, (l) Henry Creamer (1922)

‘When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful’ – Harry M Woods (1935)

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

Sussex Jazz Kings, 29th April 2016

The SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS appeared at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th April 2016 and some super jazz, along with dancing and laughter were in evidence. Leader, DAVE STRADWICK, trumpet, had booked his regular players, IAIN MCAULAY on trombone, BERNARD STUTT on clarinet, PHIL DURELL on banjo, PETER CLANCY on d.bass &sousaphone and PETE LAY on drums. I had suggested you get your butts down to ‘Farnborough Friday’ and get swinging, but forgot it was May Bank Holiday weekend, so many of you obviously had family commitments, although we still had a nice little crowd and another evening was enjoyed.

Front liners are Iain MCaulay (trombone), band leader Dave Stradwick (trumpet) and Bernard Stutt (clarinet) and engine are Pete Clancy-hidden (d.bass), Pete Lay (drums) and Phil Durrell (banjo) all playing as Sussex Jazz Kings for all at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

They started ‘right in’ with that happy jaunty tune, ‘Algiers Strut’. Welcome back boys. They followed on with a super Duke Ellington number, ‘Saratoga Swing’, with some wonderful solos played by everyone. Dave remarked we had cheated doing our line-dance to the next one. He had already stated that as we are getting older (what?), he doubted we would be able to dance to it – or if even the band could play it, but we all coped well (band too, ha) with ‘Isle of Capri’, made famous by Ken Colyer. I have to say, us line-dancers were breathing fast on returning to our seats (who said that!!!!!!) Now I have another beautiful voice to mention, this being Iain’s. He sang one of Fats Waller’s numbers, ‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ and what a super job he made of it.

Iain MCaulay plays trombone with Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Pete Lay plays drums for Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Pete Clancy plays double bass with Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Iain MCaulay plays trombne and Pete Clancy plays Sousaphone for Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

My next mention is of Pete’s feature on Sousaphone. What a lovely instrument and he played it splendidly to ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’. Although a lovely one to dance to, we held back and listened instead. The next tune was such a romantic one, ‘The Miller’s Daughter, Marianne’, sung by Iain so beautifully too. (Just a little bit of extra info, this song must surely have been written for the daughter of Sir Thomas Miller, 6th Baronet of Froyle, Hampshire, although she died in 1910 and the song was written much later in 1936. If I am right, I’m sure she must have been involved with the composers and left a lasting impression on them in some way, anybody know? It is a shame our own Marianne was not at the club (bank holiday commitments), but I will tell her about the number!

Bernard Stutt (clarinet) featured, accompanied by Pete Clancy (vocals & d.bass), Pete Lay (drums) and Phil Durrell (banjo) in Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Bernard was featured next with a special tune ‘If we never meet again’, such a lovely tune and sung by Pete (C), who also has another great jazz voice. The tune was made famous by Elvis. Oh yes Dave, what a great feature came next and it was yours (Iain said you had decided to play it especially for Farnborough!) Well Dave, I think you played it even faster than Humphrey – loved him and loved you! The number? ‘Bad Penny Blues’ of course, superbly backed by your own engine boys, Pete (C), Pete (L) and Phil, fantastic.

Sussex Jazz Kings play at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. (LtoR) Iain MCaulay (trombone), Pete Clancy (d.bass), Dave Stradwick (trumpet) and Bernard Stutt (clarinet) (hidden are Pete Lay on drums and Phil Durrell on banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Phil Durrell (banjo) and Pete Lay (drums) with Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 29th April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

It was Phil’s turn to be featured and he played ‘Mabel’s Dreams’. Thanks Phil, you did it a treat. (I have to confess, I know a huge amount of tunes, but I’m sure like many of you, I don’t know too many titles! Thanks to Mick Collins, who sits near to me, I am able to double check with him of a name!) Finally, Dave made a special mention to his lovely wife, Lesley. He said she works extremely hard sorting gigs for them etc., and he dedicated their last number to her (renaming it accordingly), ‘My Wild Reigate Rose’ – nice this photo captured her too. Well done Lesley – where would men be without their ladies? Once again, thanks to the ‘Kings’, it was nice to have you back at Farnborough.

Dave Stradwick (trumpet), Pete Lay (drums), Phil Durell (banjo) and Bernard Stutt (clarinet) in Sussex Jazz Kings at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th April 2016. Seated right – at table is band organiser Lesley Stradwick with Heather Lay. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Live’ jazz is best,

Your hosts, Diane and Keith

‘Algiers Strut’ – Glen Moore & Seger Ellis (1948)

‘Bad Penny Blues’ – Humphrey Lyttelton (1956)

‘Big Butter and Egg Man’ – Percy Venable (1926)

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

‘If we never meet again’ – Albert E. Brumley (1946)

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

‘Mabel’s Dream’ – Ike Smith (1923) (King Oliver)

‘Miller’s Daughter, Marianne’ – Jimmy Kennedy & Marty Grosz (1936)

‘My Wild Irish Rose’ – Chancellor Chauncey Olcot (1899) (‘Reigate’ for Lesley)

‘Saratoga Swing’ – Duke Ellington (1929)

Following photo – pinched from their own website – Sussex Jazz Kings.