‘BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES’, those likely – oh no I mean lovely – lads were back to play for us again. Where? Here of course, at the Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent (BR6 7BA). When? Last Friday, 1st May 2015. (click on photos for a larger and clearer view),
BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES at Farnborough Jazz Club on 1st May 2015. With BOB (tromb&voc) MAX EMMONS (trump), BERNIE HOLDEN (clar&sax), CHRIS NEWMAN (piano), JOHN BAYNE (d.bass &b.sax), NICK SINGER bnj&voc) and LAURIE CHESCOE (drms). Photo by Mike Witt.
Leader, BOB (trombone & vocals) was joined by MAX EMMONS on trumpet, BERNIE HOLDEN on clarinet & alto sax, JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax, NICK SINGER on banjo & vocals, drummer LAURIE CHESCOE and guest pianist, CHRIS NEWMAN.
CHRIS NEWMAN, piano and JOHN BAYNE, on ‘Big Bertha’ (baratone sax) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 1st May 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.
Chris comes from GOSPORT, Hampshire, where he is on the Committee of the Gosport Jazz Club. He is a wonderful pianist, very melodic and full of personality. He gave an explanation about my first choice of song and the fact that there are two tunes with almost the same name. One being ‘Panama Rag’, composed by Charles Seymour (1904), obviously a Ragtime and the one they played for us, ‘Panama’, by William Tyers (1911). We thoroughly enjoyed this one, although I am sure we would have enjoyed the other version anyway, because they were playing ‘hot’. Likewise with ‘St. Louis Blues’. Max sang, with John playing double bass and Bernie on alto sax. What an exciting rendition from all the band. My next choice to tell you about was a completely different tune. It was a beautiful number sung by Bob, called ‘Spain’. I hope he doesn’t mind me saying, but he has a romantic voice, quite similar to the 1930-40’s sound and everyone loves it.
Nick Singer sings ‘Ace In The Hole’. BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES at Farnborough Jazz Club on 1st May 2015. With BOB (tromb&voc) MAX EMMONS (trump), BERNIE HOLDEN (clar&sax), CHRIS NEWMAN (piano), JOHN BAYNE (d.bass &b.sax), NICK SINGER bnj&voc) and LAURIE CHESCOE (drms). Photo by Mike Witt.
Nick was next on vocals with his good ol’ tradie voice to ‘Ace In The Hole’, with another one for us to all dance to. Oh they were on fire, because they followed on with Max’s great intro on harmonica to ‘Freight Train’. I can just see them now, all flat out, what a performance (sorry, you have to put up with me gushing again!). The next number got our line dance going, now quite regularly a dozen or so of us, all having fun! The number was ‘That DaDa Strain’ , with fabulous drums from Laurie and enjoyably they played every bit as good as Bob Crosby & The Bob Cats did. Another wonderful number to enjoy (requested by Gordon), with John bringing out ‘Big Bertha’ (bass sax) and everyone giving us brilliant solos to ‘Weary Blues’. Calming down, let me lead you into the next number ‘Love Nest’. Bob’s gentle dulcet tones brought on a full house of our dancers to the floor. [Oh by the by, I found 1 and 1/2 hour free b&w romantic film on You Tube ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU-1D8p50h4) with Marilyn Monroe.] Just two regular numbers they do for us left to mention, one being ‘Elephant Stomp’ with our superb John, playing ‘Big Bertha’ and everyone backing him to the hilt, what a unit. Oh yes, see below our video recording of him, recorded 27th October 2014. Plus the last number, only played here, because composer Leslie was a huge friend of ours. The number being a Tommy Dorsey hit, ‘Nice To Know You Care’. [I have located more info about Leslie, showing his music was produced by Forsythe, Seaman & Farrell, plus Dorothy Squires, Diana Dors, Ann Shelton, Jack Watson & Tony Brent, Charlie Chester and Dick James.]. Bob’s next date here, being 10th July 2015.
Now I hope that has wet your appetites to come for some more jazz next Friday, for the Pedigree Jazz Band.
JOHN BAYNE plays ‘Elephant Stomp’ on baratone sax accompanied by MAX EMMONS on trumpet and BERNIE HOLDEN on alto sax with the Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent). 1st May 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.
Bob Dwyer sings ‘Nice To Know You Care’ with Max Emmons (trmp) and Bernie Holden (clt). BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES at Farnborough Jazz Club on 1st May 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.
Good listening – and don’t forget, keep jazz ‘live’.
Diane and Keith