Monthly Archives: July 2016

George Tidiman’s All Stars, 22nd July 2016

We really did have a super evening with GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN’S ALL STARS!  They were here on Friday, 22nd July 2016 at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB GEORGE (our ‘Kid’) had planned to have brilliant trumpeter, DENNY ILETT with him, but Denny had an unexpected prior family engagement.  However, we had KEN SIMMS take his place and what a treat – as we hadn’t seen him here for several years.  Joining them, were  superb clarinettist, TIM HUSKISSONI said last time they were here, what a front line!  Well it still was with Ken.  The ‘engine boys’ were banjoist ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT (the man with the ‘voice’), plus double bassist,  JOHN SIRETT and that drumming man, BILL FINCH.  Unfortunately Mike Witt had problems with his photos, but came up with this wonderful one of George.

How about this photo of our beaming 'Kid', George Tidiman on trombone, seen here with Ken Simms on trumpet.  Taken at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd July 2016 with his own band ;George ;Kid; Tidiman's All Stars. Photo by Mike Witt.

How about this photo of our beaming ‘Kid’, George Tidiman on trombone, seen here with Ken Simms on trumpet. Taken at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd July 2016 with his own band ;George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars. Photo by Mike Witt.

 George sang ‘Satchmo’ style just brilliantly, the the first tune I’ll mention, being ‘Basin Street Blues’. What a wonderful ‘full on’ effort made by everyone.  Well, it is a cracking number, don’t you think?  Then an equally brilliant one followed, ‘Hello Central, Give Me Dr Jazz’.  Bob sang this time and you know I just love the deep classic sounds coming out of his vocal cords.  I noted George’s solo was superb, with him holding a note for a long time and not just once either!  They then announced the next number as being ‘Mabel’s Dream’.  I recall Ken saying ‘We’re going to do the nightmare version’ – ha.  Then ‘Chattanooga Stomp’? I must have been dancing to it, because I hadn’t written any notes and I do recall I enjoyed it.  It was an extremely hot evening and the musicians had not let up!  So it was lovely they chose to play this following one, being ‘Tishomingo Blues’, everyone got up to dance (with it being a nice slow number for everyone to be able to dance, without feeling they might collapse (phew).  Then ‘Cake Walkin’ Babies’ was another number.  There were some lovely solos by everyone.  Bob’s next rendition was ofThe Bird With the Funny Names’, which he did for his solo performance (I think this is ‘The 57th Snowflake’, being the Brownies’ camp song).  What a funny man Bob is – and clever too.  How does he remember all the words!  What’s more, how does he find all these obscure numbers to play?  Then what about the next, ‘I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You’? It was another one that George sang ‘Louis’ style and can he do it wonderfully – and with everyone playing fabulous solos again.  We had a gorgeous bit of playing from both Ken and Tim with Yama Yama Blues’ and I think it could possibly be the first time this number has been played here (although Mike Barry’s Uptown Gang played ‘The Yama, Yama Man’ for us back on 28 November 2014 – different song – ha)  For a hot night, they ‘went out’ on a hot number ‘Panama (Rag)’.  How do these musicians do it?  Oh what an exciting ending.  So many smiles from everyone leaving the club … and being on a high myself, I didn’t get to sleep till 4:00 in the morning hmmmmmm!

Your hosts

Diane and Keith

‘Basin Street Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1926)
‘Cake Walkin’ Babies’ – (m) Chris Smith & Clarence Williams, (l) Henry Troy (1925)
‘Chattanooga Stomp’ – Alphonse Picou & Joe ‘King’ Oliver (1923)
‘Hello Central, Give Me Doctor Jazz’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver & Walter Melrose (1926)
‘I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You’ – Lovin’ Sam Thaird (1929)
‘Mabel’s Dream’ – Ike Smith (1923)
‘Panama (Rag)’- Charles Seymour (1904)
‘The Bird With the Funny Names’ – The 57th Snowflake – The Brownies Song
‘Tishomingo Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1917)
‘Yama Yama Blues’ –Spencer Williams & Clarence Williams (no relation) (1919)

Your hosts

Diane and Keith

Barry Palser’s Super Six, 15th July 2016

Oh happy day, we had the talented BARRY PALSER’S SUPER SIX back again at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on Friday, 15th July 2016Band leader BARRY, who plays trombone &vocals, had GARY WOOD on trumpet (Gary was last here 4th March with Jonny Boston’s Hot Jazz), plus  GOFF DUBBER on clarinet, TONY PITT on banjo, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass and JOHN TYSON on drums.

'Barry Palser's Super Six' play at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2015. (LtoR) Barry Palser on trombone, Andy Lawrence on double bass, Gary Wood on trumpet, John Tyson on drums, Tony Pitt on drums and Goff Dubber on clarinet. Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’ play at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2015. (LtoR) Barry Palser on trombone, Andy Lawrence on double bass, Gary Wood on trumpet, John Tyson on drums, Tony Pitt on drums and Goff Dubber on clarinet. Photo by Mike Witt.

Band leader Barry Palser, playing trombone with his own band, the 'Barry Palser's Super Six', here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Band leader Barry Palser, playing trombone with his own band, the ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

I told you not to miss a minute of their playing and of course, you all turned up to enjoy Barry’s band.  Such a delight to have practically a full house.  Barry is such a great personality and we all love him!  Poor ol’ things though.  His wife, (sound engineer and roadie) Bridget, unfortunately broke her leg (way back in March) which hasn’t healed yet and has it in a brace.  As most of you know, Barry had a hip replacement – Bridget’s left leg and Barry’s right hip!  They want to know if there is somewhere they can sign up for a three-legged race please?  That’s musician’s humour for you – it has been hard for them, but they joke about it (like someone else I know (J)!)  Now to try and choose which numbers to tell you about (they were all good!)

Well, I’ll start the ball rolling with ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’, because Barry played and sang it to Bridget (I think he might love her, don’t you think?).  Then Barry dedicated their next number to someone he played with many years ago – Stan (who has gone now) and that tune was ‘Hindustan’.  I wrote in my notes, ‘Rip Roaring and fab’ with lovely drumming from John and gave it three ticks, meaning brilliant!  I also gave three ticks to the next number, ‘As Long As I Live’.  The floor was packed with our line-dancing and just so much fun.  Keith said this was one of his favourites, reminding him of his ‘Steering Wheel Club’ days in Chelsea, because he used to play it all the time there.  ‘Hello Dolly’ was sung next by Barry and was the number to bring on the dancers – also a packed floor.

I must mention a lovely little family – Ann and Mike Witt’s family (our volunteer photographer), were visiting from Sidney, Australia.  Their young granddaughter, Jos’, danced to the next number ‘Route 66’, (sung by Gary).  In fact she danced to several numbers with her Mum, Karen, (with Dad – Andy – looking on, proudly). What lovely dancers they are too.  We have a wonderful picture of this, but it keeps loading up sideways (another Windows 10 quirk – I will work out what is wrong and add it at a later date).

Joc takes over with the raffle draw, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) UK on 15th July 2016. The band - 'Barry Palser's Super Six', Photo by (Granddad) Mike Witt.

Jos takes over with the raffle draw, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) UK on 15th July 2016. The band – ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, Photo by (Granddad) Mike Witt.

 

 

 

Lovely Joc, with Diane enjoy dancing here at Farnborough Jazz Club, (Kent) UK on 15th July 2016, with jazz band 'Barry Palser's Super Six'. Joc' and her Mum, Dad & brother - Karen, Andy & Noah ) are here from Sidney, Australia, Photo by (Granddad) Mike Witt

Lovely Jos, with Diane enjoy dancing here at Farnborough Jazz Club, (Kent) UK on 15th July 2016, with jazz band ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’. Joc’ and her Mum, Dad & brother – Karen, Andy & Noah ) are here from Sidney, Australia, Photo by (Granddad) Mike Witt.

Goff Dubber (reed player) seen here singing, as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six, here at the Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Goff Dubber (reed player) seen here singing, as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six, here at the Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Then a ‘Jack Teagarden’ number ‘Music To Love By’ was a feature number for Goff, which he sang beautifully.  What lovely playing Goff – great banjo too Tony.  Oh I have missed off some wonderful tunes (nearly giving their whole repertoire away!)  However, I must mention Satchmo’s number, ‘Mac The Knife’, sung by Barry – what a number.  They all excelled, as they did with the next song, one of my favourite jazz numbers, ‘Christopher Columbus’, I could hear it played, time after time.

Goff Dubber playing clarinet as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six', here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Goff Dubber playing clarinet as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Goff Dubber playing alto sax, as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Goff Dubber playing alto sax, as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Andy Lawrence playing double bass as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Andy Lawrence playing double bass as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt, playing banjo as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt, playing banjo as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Tyson playing drums, as one of 'Barry Palser's Super Six', here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Tyson playing drums, as one of ‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’, here at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.

'Barry Palser's Super Six' playing at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. (LtoR) Gary Wood (trumpet), Andy Lawrence (double bass), John Tyson (drums) and just out of view -Tony Pitt (banjo), Goff Dubber (clarinet) and Barry Palser (trombone). Photo by Mike Witt.

‘Barry Palser’s Super Six’ playing at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 15th July 2016. (LtoR) Gary Wood (trumpet), Andy Lawrence (double bass), John Tyson (drums) and just out of view -Tony Pitt (banjo), Goff Dubber (clarinet) and Barry Palser (trombone). Photo by Mike Witt.

Then came a feature tune for Gary.  The number being ‘Fly Me To The Moon’.  Wow Gary, marvellous – say no more!  Now although there was another brilliant number in between, I’ll go to their last number When The Saints Go Marching In’ and as you can guess, it was a brilliant one to end the evening.  Everyone took a time leaving the club, as they were all ‘buzzing’ (still on a high).  Thank you ‘Super Six’, lovely stuff.

You ARE what keeps Jazz ‘Live’!

Your hosts, Diane & Keith.

P.S. Good news, our land-line is now working.

‘As Long as I Live’ – (m) Harold Arlen, (l) Ted Koehler (1934)
‘Christopher Columbus’ – Glen Miller, Joe Garland & Andy Razaf (1959)
‘Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)’ – Bart Howard (1954)
‘Hello Dolly’ – Jerry Herman (1964)
‘Hindustan’ – (m) Harold Weeks, (l) Oliver G Wallace (1917)
‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’ – (m) Harold Arlen, (l) E.Y. Harburg & Billy Rose (1933)
‘Mac The Knife’ (The Threepenny Opera) – (m) Kurt Weill, (l) Bertolt Brecht (1928) (translated Marc Blitzstein (1954)
‘Music To Love By’ – Leonard Feather (tbn)
‘Route 66’ – Bobby Troup (1946)
‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – origins unknown -Derived from (m) James Milton Black (l) Katherine Purvis (1896) re-publ 1927

Bob Dwyer’s BiX & Pieces, 8th July 2016

It was lovely to have BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES (a seven-piece band) back at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB.   They were here on  Friday, 8th July 2016.  Leader & trombonist BOB, had booked BERNIE HOLDEN on clarinet & alto sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax and DAVE PRICE on banjo & guitar.  He also had a couple of guests joining them, namely CHEZ CHESTERMAN on trumpet and GRAHAM CAULICOTTE on drums.  Unfortunately, I had a back problem and so Keith had to go without me to sort out the club … no red table cloths, no refreshments for the band – well that’s not true, they helped themselves and Keith had to kiss everybody (ha – not really).  I eventually scrambled myself down to the club, I think about 9.00pm.  However, I hadn’t brought anything with me to write my notes, so I can’t tell you what tunes they played.  Although, I can say (after a couple of drinks) I did manage to dance a little (even if rather stiffly), that’s the power of their playing.  Oh, I must tell you of the youngster who was bought along by John (I think) and who had a few sit-ins with the band.  His name is MIKE PRESTAGE and he played a ‘mean’ trumpet.  I think he will, or should have a brilliant musical career ahead of him (if he wants).  I am sorry we have no photos again (still no Mike) and although I took some with my old mobile, I have been unable to transfer them to my laptop.  Hopefully, I can get it to work at a later date.  Anyway, Good ol’ favourite’s, ’Barry Palser’s Super Six’ are back this Friday (15th July), so see you all then.

Your ‘Live’ Jazz Hosts,

Diane & Keith (yes we are alive too – ha)

Mike Barry’s XXL Band, FRIDAY, 1st July 2016

It was great to see the return of MIKE BARRY’s XXL BAND to FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent) on FRIDAY, 1st July 2016..  I can’t believe it was back in February 2015 they last played here, but we do have all three of Mike’s band play for us (this one, plus ‘Uptown Gang’ and ‘Yerba Buena Band’).  This band has obviously MIKE himself on trumpet, TIM HUSKISSON on reeds, LES HANSCOMBE on trombone, GRAHAM BARTON on piano, BRIAN STAPLEY on drums and TED SIMKINS on double bass.  They can now be known as MIKE BARRY’s XL BAND because they, well Mike has lost one&half stone – Wow, how’s that?  Well done Mike.  So obviously, they played with a lot of energy, starting with ‘Canal Street Blues’, such a wonderful number to get everyone in the mood – yeah!  ‘Beale Street Mama’ was another excellent tune to choose, I can hear Mike announcing it and finishing the title with the words “I’m Coming To Get You”… luv it.  I have to say the whole band were brilliant when they played ‘Savoy Blues’.  I particularly noted the front line boys playing beautifully in harmony.  Another number to mention is ‘Washington and Lee Swing’.  This is an old American high school football ‘fight’ song.  It was also used in Red Nichols film, ‘The Five Pennies’, a film I probably saw in 1960’s and remember being absolutely excited by (gonna watch it again over the weekend!).   Moving on … ‘Hello Central Give Me Dr Jazz’ sung brilliantly by Les.  A tune enjoyed being played by most bands too.  I had a wonderful dance – the cha, cha, cha, with Steve to ‘The Isle of Capri’.  I just loved it, although I think it should have been a tango – ha.  Oh well, we are so relaxed here, nobody worries.  During the interval, I announced Colin & his wife Jo Dobson, were in the audience.  Colin had been trumpeter for The Billy Cotton Band Show (of ‘Wakey, Wakey’ fame).  It is to be Colin’s 87th birthday on Monday (4th) and their 65th wedding anniversary this Thursday (7th), fabulous – congrats.  It will also be bass player Ted’s wife, Francis’ birthday too (on Wednesday 6th) I believe Francis is about my age – 30several and a bit more!  So the band returned and played ‘Happy Birthday’ to them all.  (by-the-way, Jo told me she had married a toy-boy as her next birthday (in October) will be her 88th).  ‘Hold That Tiger’ (probably played for Jo) is another exciting tune, sung by Les, with wonderful solos from Tim and Ted and surely the whole band were exhausted at the end of this one.  This tune is apparently another old American high school ‘fight’ song.  Now dear ol’ Mike performed to my next song choice – and I mean ‘performed’.  He ‘spoke’ all the famous lines of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ just superbly, which lead on to them playing ‘Didn’t He Ramble’.  They played fabulously, I can’t fault anyone as they were all so good.  Their last number was ‘Down By The Riverside’, ending another thoroughly wonderful evening full of great talent and lots of laughs.  Sorry, no photos, Mike is still away, and although I took some photos with my very old mobile phone, they are ‘trapped’ in it and will take me a time to work it out again!, Although don’t hold your breathe as to what they will be like.  Anyway, keep coming for more jazz!  We have a different band here every Friday evening.

Diane and Keith

P.S. Yerba Buena Jazz Band Newsletter of 26th June 2015 has now been updated.

‘Beale Street Mama’ – J Russel Robinson & Roy Turk (1922)
‘Canal Street Blues’ – Joe ‘King’ Oliver (1923)
‘Oh! Didn’t He Ramble’ – (m) Will Handy (i.e. J. Rosamond Johnson), (l) James Weldon Johnson & Bob Cole (1902)
‘Down By the Riverside (Study War No More)’ – traditional/Gospel song first published 1918
‘Hello Central, Give Me Doctor Jazz’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver & Walter Melrose (1926)
‘Tiger Rag’ – written & played by Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917) (many others claim!)
‘Savoy Blues’ – Edward ‘Kid’ Ory (1927)
‘Isle of Capri’ – (m) Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams), (l) by Jimmy Kennedy (1934)
‘Washington & Lee Swing’ – (m) Mark W Sheafe, Thorton W Allen (wrote notes 1909), (l) Clarence A (Tod) Robbins (1910)