Tony Pitt’s All Stars, Friday 9th October 2015

We had some of Britain’s top jazz musicians with TONY PITT’S ALL STARS at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on FRIDAY, 9th October 2015.   Banjoist TONY was joined by DENNY ILETT (SNR) on trumpet (he has a famous guitarist son), DAVE HEWITT on trombone, AL NICHOLS on reeds, ANDY LAWRENCE on double bass and JOHN TYSON on drums.

Tony Pitt's All Stars at Farnborouh Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. (LtoR) Andy Laurence (d.bass), Dave Hewitt (trombone), Denny Ilett (trumpet), John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. (LtoR) Andy Laurence (d.bass), Dave Hewitt (trombone), Denny Ilett (trumpet), John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

They looked and played brilliantly and just to show you, here is a sample of what they played.  The first number was ‘When You’re Smiling’ and in my notes, I had written ‘you should hear that trumpet’.  Says a lot, doesn’t it!  They were all absolutely amazing – there’s playing and there’s playing, if you know what I mean.  These guys ‘have it’.  Gushing? Of course! Denny sang the next tune, ‘Look Down That Lonesome River’ and I noted that Al played tenor sax.  Denny also sang ‘When You and I were young Maggie’ and of course a great jazz voice.

Tony Pitt's All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. (LtoR) John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. (LtoR) John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.

Denny Ilett sings, seen here with John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo) with 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Denny Ilett sings, seen here with John Tyson (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo) with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Here's the man! Tony plays banjo for his own band 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Here’s the man! Tony plays banjo for his own band ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Tyson plays drums for Tony Pitt's All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

John Tyson plays drums for Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

We were all ‘flying’ (dancing I mean) to their wonderful rendition of ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, with fabulous changing of key.  Tony’s banjo playing shows why he has the best wanting to play with him.  John was featured on drums next, and what terrific drumming to ‘I Found A New Baby’.  He is a brilliant drummer and I had written in my notes ‘fab-u-lous’, so no need to write anything else.

Great action photo of Dave Hewitt, Denny Ilett, Andy Laurence and John Tyson four of Tony Pitt's All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Great action photo of Dave Hewitt, Denny Ilett, Andy Laurence and John Tyson four of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Next they featured Denny with ‘Bad Penny Blues’.  Denny is such an exciting player and with this number, he also added some playing on his mouthpiece only.  Not many would be able to achieve doing that so brilliantly.  I must mention ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and how wonderful Al was, playing tenor sax.

What an 'engine' aye? Andy Laurence on double bass, John Tyson on drums and the man himself, Tony Pitt on banjo with 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

What an ‘engine’ aye? Andy Laurence on double bass, John Tyson on drums and the man himself, Tony Pitt on banjo with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Al Nichols plays alto sax with Denny Ilett on trumpet and Tony Pitt on banjo, all seen here with 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Al Nichols plays alto sax with Denny Ilett on trumpet and Tony Pitt on banjo, all seen here with ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Hewitt playing trombone (Denny Ilett just in view) two stars of 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Dave Hewitt playing trombone (Denny Ilett just in view) two stars of ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Several ‘ticks’ against the next number, meant I mustn’t miss this out either.  The wonderful Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘Riverboat Shuffle’ being the tune (recoded first by Bix Beiderbecke).  Al played alto and I had no other notes because we were all out on the dance floor, having tons of fun.  As for their last number, if we had to all go home, it was exhilarating to go with ‘West End Blues’ still ringing in our ears.  Denny played a stunning intro and Dave was fabulous on trombone.  I personally cannot wait for their next gig here.

Diane and Keith

Farnborough Jazz Club enjoy 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' on 9th October 2015. Seen playing are Denny Ilett (trumpet), Dave Hewitt (trombone) and John Tyson (drums).  Photo by Mike Witt.

Farnborough Jazz Club enjoy ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ on 9th October 2015. Seen playing are Denny Ilett (trumpet), Dave Hewitt (trombone) and John Tyson (drums). Photo by Mike Witt.

Seen here are Keith and Diane, Colin Dobson (of Billy Cotton Band Show fame), his wife Jo and their son-in-law having just enjoyed 'Tony Pitt's All Stars' at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

Seen here are Keith and Diane, Colin Dobson (of Billy Cotton Band Show fame), his wife Jo and their son-in-law having just enjoyed ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars’ at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 9th October 2015. Photo by Mike Witt.

 

‘Bad Penny Blues’ – Humphrey Lyttelton (1956)
‘Bourbon Street Parade’ – Paul Barbarin (c. 1953)
‘I Found a New Baby’ – Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams (1926)
‘Look Down That Lonesome Road’ – (m) Nathaniel Shilkret, (l) Gene Austin (1927)
‘Riverboat Shuffle’ – (m) Hoagy Carmichael, (l) Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish & Dick Voynow (1924)
‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ – (m) Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard, (l) Kenneth Casey (1925)
‘West End Blues’ – Joe ’King’ Oliver, (l) Clarence Williams (1928) (famed by Louis Armstrong)
‘When You and I Were Young Maggie’ – (m) James Butterfield (1866), (l) George W Johnson (1864) [derived from George Johnson’s poem (1820)]
‘When You’re Smiling’ – Larry Shay, Mark Fisher & Joe Goodwin (1929)