Tony Pitt’s All Stars, Friday 14th August 2015

Oh yes, it was certainly another exciting party on FRIDAY, 14th August 2015 at our FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB with TONY PITT’S ALL STARS.  It was Keith’s second celebratory birthday ‘do’.  Last week was a practice run (and oh boy, what a practice), his birthday was actually on the glorious 12th and this Friday was booked ‘because he had made it’!  TONY (banjo), gave Keith a brilliant present by obtaining fab stars DENNY ILETT on trumpet, GRAHAM HUGHES on trombone, AL NICHOLLS on saxes, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass and JOHN ELLMER on drums to play for him – and of course, all of us.

Tony Pitt's All Stars play for Keith's Special birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14 August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt’s All Stars played on our second celebration for Keith’s Special birthday at the Farnborough Jazz Club, on 14 August 2015.   Photo by Mike Witt.

I said it would be a humdinger of an evening and it definitely was.  You will have to take my word for it, the evening was (just like last week), well actually, words cant describe just how terrific it was, although I will try.  Obviously, the beginning of the evening was busy for me, with so many people arriving, wanting to join in with making Keith’s party go with a swing.  A few numbers had been played before my first chosen number, ‘Blues My Naughty Sweetie’, however, what a number. I had written “fabulous”, an asterisk and two ticks (to make sure I chose the number) and had also noted Al was brilliant on soprano sax.  I also wrote “drums – Denny – oh everyone”!!!!  Then came ‘Tishamingo Blues’ (with Al using tenor).

Saxophonist All Nicholls on tenor, one of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Keith's special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

                  “JAZZ JIANTS”                                       Al Nicholls (tenor) & Denny Ilett (trumpet) two of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

 

Saxophonist All Nicholls on alto and trumpeter Denny Ilett, two of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Keith's special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

                                             “JAZZ JIANTS”                                             Al Nicholls (on soprano)  AND  Denny Ilett (trumpet), two of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015.  Photo by Mike Witt.

 

Graham Hughes (trombone), one of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Keith's special birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Graham Hughes (trombone), one of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Keith’s special birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

The next number was ‘All of Me’ and must mention some super trombone playing  from Graham, as well as great bass from Andy. Then Denny sang ‘When You and I Were Young, Maggie’, quite a favourite, with plenty of dancing (I’m sure I caught a bit of him singing ‘Lucile’).

Denny was then featured with ‘Bad Penny Blues’, to which he performed his speciality – playing just the mouth piece (good golly miss molly – he sure is a beautiful trumpeter).  Tony was fabulous on solo banjo too.  ‘You Always Hurt The One You Love’ followed and Tony added some playing on the mouth organ – clever clogs.  Then Graham sang ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’ (with Al playing soprano sax), always brilliantly played.  Next came Al, featured with ‘Lady Be Good’ Oh boy, what superb playing.  Tony really knows how to pick ‘erm aye.

Tony Pitt's All Stars (Tony on banjo) at Keith's special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt’s All Stars (Tony on his hand-made banjo) at Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony then had them play his favourite number, ‘Blue Turning Grey Over You’.   I was told Tony made this fabulous banjo himself, even inlaying his name on the ‘head’ – see photo showing this (yes Chrissie, he’s not just a pretty face).   So another evening bites the dust – yes, a mind-blowingly good one too.  We were once again so overwhelmed – so many smiling faces, of course no-one wanting it to end.  Keith (and I) will always remember this birthday, that’s for sure – thanks boys (from both weeks).

Andy Laurence (d.bass) one of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Andy Laurence (d.bass) one of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

 

Denny Ilett (trumprt) one of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Keith's special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Denny Ilett (trumprt) one of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

Tony Pit Pitt's All Stars (Tony-(banjo, Al Nicholls (soprano sax) and John Elmer (drums) at Farnborough JC, 14Aug2015. Photo by Mike Witt

Tony Pit Pitt’s All Stars (Tony-(banjo, Al Nicholls (soprano sax) and John Ellmer (drums) (Keith’s special birthday  at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14Aug2015. Photo by Mike Witt

 

Our Jazz Jiants - Our Jazz Jiants - Denny Ilett (trumpet) & Al Nicholls (tenor) (Keith's special birthday) at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

                        Our Jazz Jiants                  Denny Ilett (trumpet) & Al Nicholls (tenor) (Keith’s special birthday) at Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015.                   Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

 

 

Tony Pitt's All Stars Crest showing Al Nicholls (tenor & soprano saxes) and Denny Ilett (trumpet (Designed & photos taken by Chrissie Nicholls at Farnborough Jazz Club 14th August 2015).

Tony Pitt’s All Stars showing Al Nicholls (tenor & soprano saxes) and Denny Ilett (trumpet) (Designed & photos taken by Chrissie Nicholls) at Farnborough Jazz Club 14th August 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al Nicholls (alto) and Denny Ilett (trumpet), two of Tony Pitt's All Stars, playing for Keith's special birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

Al Nicholls (alto) and Denny Ilett (trumpet), two of Tony Pitt’s All Stars, playing for Keith’s special birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club on 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

Al Nicholls (tenor sax) a star of Tony Pitt's All Stars for Keith's special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

Al Nicholls (tenor sax) a star of Tony Pitt’s All Stars for Keith’s special birthday, Farnborough Jazz Club, 14th August 2015. Photo by Chrissie Nicholls.

There are far more photos than usual, but couldn’t leave any out – too good.  However, I am requesting if any of you took some pics of Keith, I would  love to receive them please.  Plus if they are good enough, would also use on the website. with your permission – your name would be added (or not if you so prefer). Thanks.

Diane and Keith

‘All of Me’ – Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons (1931) (Ruth Etting Song)
‘Bad Penny Blues’ – Humphrey Lyttelton (1956)
‘Blues My Naughty Sweetie’ – Charles McCarron, Casey Morgan & Arthur Swanstrom (1919)
‘Blue Turning Grey Over You’ – (m) Fats Waller, (l) Andy Razaf (1929)
‘Lady Be Good’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) Ira Gershwin (1924)
‘Tishamingo Blues’ – Spencer Williams (1917)
‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’ – (m) John Turner Layton Jr, (l) Henry Creamer (1922)
‘When You and I Were Young, Maggie’ – (m) J.A. Butterfield (1866) & (l) George Washington Johnson (1864)
‘You Always Hurt The One You Love’ – (m) Doris Fisher, (l) Allan Roberts (1944)