‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’, 30th January 2015

It had been ages since ‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’ had entertaining us – at least three weeks before this evening, Friday, 30th January 2015! Just in case you were missing them, they returned to us here at the Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent. You might ask why? Seriously, the reason was they were kind enough to accept the date, being prepared to take a chance of last minute cancelation, should we be snowed out (as all these early bands had agreed to). So far the weather has been kind to us. I’m told they were at Hastings the night before and were given plenty of cheers. I must say I’m sure they are cheered wherever they go though, just as they are here. Leader BOB (trombone & vocals) was joined by DAVE RANCE on trumpet, BERNIE HOLDEN on clarinet & sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax, NICK SINGER on banjo & vocals and drummer LAURIE CHESCOE.

Bob Dwyer, trombonist & leader of 'Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces' at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015

Bob Dwyer, trombonist & leader        of ‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

'Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces'.  Bob (leader & trombonist) seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club 30Jan2015.

‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’. Bob (leader & trombonist) seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club 30Jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Front-line: Bob (trmb), Dave Rance (trmp) & Bernie Holden (clrn) of Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces  at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.

Front-line: Bob (trmb), Dave Rance (trmp) & Bernie Holden (clrn) of Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

 

 

 

 

Dave Rance, trumpet with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Rance, trumpet with                Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club 30jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

Bernie Holden, clarinettist  (with  pianist Hugh Crozier & drummer Laurie Chescoe) in Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces  at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Bernie Holden, clarinettist (with pianist Hugh Crozier & drummer Laurie Chescoe) in Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

 

 

Another great phonto of smiling Laurie Chesco, seen here with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt

Another great phonto of smiling Laurie Chesco, seen here with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt

 

 My first note was of Hugh singing Too Busy’, fabulously (although was he singing it for me? Ha!). They followed on with Bob singing a lovely number, ‘Spain’. I know I’ve said it before, but repeating it, they both have great voices. I cannot recall why I popped over to the Bob at the start of the next number, save to say I trod on his foot. He said he was just going to announce ‘Fidgety Feet’! Anyway, brilliantly played by everyone.

Nick Singer (banjo) with  Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Nick Singer (banjo) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Then Nick came forward to sing ‘Tishomingo Blues’. Now Nick has a wonderful (dare I say gravel) voice so suited to the trad world, don’t ever stop singing Nick.  Quite a contrast with Hugh’s, who sang ‘Aint Misbehaving’. He played a super intro first, plus I noted Dave played muted trumpet with Bernie playing sax, all just great. I ticked twice and wrote ‘Fab’ next to ‘Magnolia’s Wedding Day’, I was obviously dancing, so no other comment.

Hugh Crozier with  Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Hugh Crozier with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 30th January 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Next came a feature number for Hugh on piano and singing ‘(Oh Darling) Ain’t No Pleasing You’. He just had the accompaniment of John on bass sax [big Bertha] and Bernie on alto sax, plus drums – abso-lutely fab-u-lous. There were so many great numbers in their repertoire, too many to mention, all with huge ticks against them too, but must mention Dave singing ‘Lilly of the Valley’, because he is another lovely singer (and of course, we were all singing along with him).

Bernie Holden (alto) & John Bayne (bass) (accompanying Hugh Crozier's feature) with Bob Dwyer's Bix & Pieces  at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

Bernie Holden (alto) & John Bayne (bass) & Laurie Chescoe on drums (accompanying Hugh Crozier’s feature) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Bayne plays 'Elephant Stomp' with the 'Bob Dwyer's Bix &  Pieces'  at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

John Bayne plays ‘Elephant Stomp’ with the ‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’ at Farnborough Jazz Club, 30jan2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

I must also mention our favourite number of John’s, featuring with ‘Elephant Stomp’. You blow our minds every time John and can never play it too often for us – so talented.   I can only follow that on with ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’, because it’s one of my favourites and we did our line-dance. Although the weather is inclement, I said last week you would soon warm up at the club, especially if you like dancing and said to get your glad rags on and turn up for some fun and join your hosts, Diane and Keith, plus our bar staff, Ian, Val, Harry, Barb and Kath too. This you did and I know you all enjoyed yourselves. Now before closing, we must pay tribute to one of our Country’s greatest leaders of all time. Namely Sir Winston Churchill, as Saturday (24th) was the 50th anniversary of his funeral.   He was someone who helped to keep our freedom (thereby to enjoy our music) and who gave us great pride in this Country and United Kingdom.   We both feel such pride and thanks to have been born in his era.

Diane & Keith

‘Aint Misbehaving – (m) Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller & Harry Brooks, (l) Andy Razaf (1929)
‘Aint No Pleasing You’ – (Chas ‘n’ Dave) Charles Hodges & Dave Peacock (1982)
‘Elephant Stomp’ –  Al Ferreri & Yannick Singery (circa 1953)
‘Fidgety Feet’ – Nick LaRocca & Larry Shields (1919)
‘Lily of the Valley’ – hymn by William Charles Fry (1837–1882) in London for Salvation Army.  
               Ira D. Sankey arranged words to music of “The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane by Will Hays
‘Magnolia’s Wedding Day’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Fields (1928)
‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’ – Irving Berlin (1929)
‘Spain’ – Armando ‘Chic’ Corea (1971)
‘Tishomingo Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1917)
‘Too Busy’ (recorded by Ken Colyer (1954) Anyone help with who wrote pls ???)