“Here we are at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB again, at the end of the first month of 2016 already! Friday, 29th January 2016 to be precise. Weather holding its own thank goodness (apart from a couple of days of bitterly cold raw ones last week)”. That was how I advertised we were to have BOB DWYER’S BIX & PIECES back. It was good to hear MAX EMMONS was well again and on trumpet & harmonica (even though Andy Woon was super – thanks to him for filling in during previous gigs). BERNIE HOLDEN was on clarinet & alto sax, with JOHN BAYNE on double bass & bass sax, HUGH CROZIER on piano & vocals, DAVE PRICE on banjo & guitar and GRAHAM COLLICOTE was be back again on drums (likewise thanks to John Elmer for his filling in, prior). Of course we had BOB DWYER on trombone. This band is one of our club’s favourite. Bob always does his best to please us and our crowd and here are some of the tunes they chose to perform.
Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. (LtoR) Dave Price (bnj), (hidden-Graham Collicote drms), Bob Dwyer (trb), Max Emmons (trp), Bernie Holden (sax).( hidden-John Bayne dbass) & Hugh Crozier (pno). Photo by Mike Witt.
Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. (LtoR) Graham Collicote (drms), Bob Dwyer (trb), Max Emmons (trp), Bernie Holden (sax) & Hugh Crozier (pno). hidden Dave Price (bnj) & John Bayne (dbass). Photo by Mike Witt.
Bernie Holden on sax and John Bayne on double bass with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt
Dave Price on banjo and Graham Collicote on drums with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Let’s see, well Bernie played clarinet with ‘Buddy’s Habits’, (I jotted down ‘Dave on banjo and John on double bass’ – must have been great). Next to mention is Max, who sang ‘Shimmy Like My Sister Kate’ and everyone excelling. Then a lovely tango with a great solo from Dave on banjo and the song – ‘Isle of Capri’.
Hugh Crozier (piano) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough JC 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Hugh featured next with some boogie woogie. He is a brilliant pianist, who comes up with different numbers every time and this time, it was a ‘Pine Top’ Smith number, ‘Jump Steady Blues’. He is so talented. Now Keith doesn’t dance as much as he did years ago, but I can usually get him up with this song, ‘Change Partners and Dance With Me’, it is so lovely (just thought, perhaps it’s because he wants to change his partner, ha. No – never!).
John Bayne on bass sax (I call it ‘big Bertha’) with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Moving on, once again, I just had to ask John to play ‘Elephant Stomp’. We had some new people in the audience and he is absolutely brilliant playing ‘big bertha’ (my name for bass sax) and as usual, he received huge applause, of course.
Max Emmons plays trumpet & harmonica with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Graham Collicotte plays drums with Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
‘Folsam Prison Blues (I Hear The Train a Comin)’ has to have a mention, with Max on harmonica and singing (plus Graham on drums). Everybody just loves this, he is brilliant and puts so much effort into it – wowie – fantastic. Then to follow on with a ‘gentle one’ and allow everyone to catch their breathe, is a must!
Bob Dwyer with his Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces at Farnborough Jazz Club on 29th January 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.29Jan2016 2148
But then, Bob is so thoughtful and always plays (and sings romantically) our dear friend, Lesley Baguley’s number, ‘Nice to Know You Care’. It is a very romantic one to dance to, so plenty of takers on the dance floor. My last number to mention (although not their last) is ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ – yes, our line-dance and sung brilliantly by Hugh. I daren’t mention any more. But all this surely will tempt you to come and enjoy yourselves here on a Friday.
Diane and Keith (your hosts)