The PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND were here again on 22nd January 2016 at Farnborough Jazz Club. As you must know by now, ROBIN COOMBS is recovering from a serious illness, so drummer, ALAN CLARKE. is running the band in his absence. Of course, we all wish Robin well and he has promised that he and Pauline will join our audience as much as possible. Alan booked the usual guys, namely PAUL HIGGS on trumpet, BILL TODD on trombone, DAVE BARNES on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass, JOHN STUART on banjo & guitar and CHARLES SHERWOOD again stepped in for Robin, on clarinet. Together, they all had the place buzzing. Charles sounded wonderful, not easy to take over from a band leader and a friend to boot, when that person has been so ill – I would think it makes you feel horrible. However, second time round, Charles relaxed, like the pro’ he is.
Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd Jjanuary 2016. ( LtoR) John Stuart (banjo), Bill Todd (trombone), Alan Clarke (drums), Paul Higgs (trumpet), Roger Curphey (d.bass), Charles Sherwood (reeds) & Dave Barnes (piano). Photo by Mike Witt.
They began with ‘Hindustan’, a great ol’ favourite and straight away set the pace for the evening. Then what about their next number, ‘Darktown Strutter’s Ball’? That certainly takes one back to early dancing days – doesn’t it?
Drummer Alan Clarke with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Now, I missed the next number (probably someone arrived), but I caught the band laughing about how Alan didn’t get his drum solo when he should have. So they dedicated the next one to him, namely ‘Cute’. Of course he got all the drum-breaks he could want – ha. Don’t you just love musicians’ humour? Then to rest us dancers (well the musicians too, of course), they changed the tempo and Dave sang ‘Sweet Loraine’.
Pianist Dave Barnes with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. (LtoR) Bill Todd, John Stuart, Paul Higgs, Charles Sherwood & Alan Clarke. Photo by Mike Witt.
Bill Todd on trombone with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. (left John Stuart on banjo and right Alan Clarke on drums). Photo by Mike Witt.
John Stuart is featured on banjo with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Next came a number that just enticed us up again for a line-dance (no one said a word either, they just looked at one-another and got up!). The tune was ‘Twelfth Street Rag’ and by coincidence, twelve of us got up. What a great song, I clearly remember loving this one as a little girl – “do, wacka do, wacka do, wacka do” remember? Bill sang the next one, ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ (he’s got a good range) and then John was featured, backed by the rest of the ‘engine’, the song was ‘Honeysuckle Rose’.
Paul Higgs playing his lovely iridescent green trumpet playing for Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band here at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Paul is a brilliant trumpeter, but I particularly made a note of Paul’s playing here (with his lovely iridescent green trumpet) and the number was ‘At The Jazz Band Ball’, marvelous. Plus, everyone had great solos in ‘Struttin’ With Some Barbecue’, absolutely fabulous too. We had enjoyed the line-dance before, so much, that everyone got up again to ‘Cantina Band’ with a Charleston thread and if I’ve got that right, it was a number one hit from the ‘Star Wars’ film and written by John Williams. What a fabulous number – they must do it again … please?
What a picture, what a photograph! These two likely lads are Roger Curphey and Paul Higgs seen here with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Looking forward to their next gig, which is on 11th March 2016. Jazz and dancing certainly can chase all the blues away and will warm you up at the same time. If you missed us this week, then make a point of coming and give us a try. The music starts at 8:00pm till 11:00pm. The bar has club prices, with plenty of free car parking and a wonderful friendly atmosphere and entrance is just £10.
‘Live’ music at its best.
Diane and Keith