Here they are again, MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS. They have played for us over the many years here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB and they were back again on Friday 5th February 2016. BRIAN GILES (cornet) had some band changes as Les Hanscombe has retired from playing with them. So the line-up was TIM HUSKISSON playing on reeds, GEORGE ‘Kid’ TIDDIMAN on trombone, joined by ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALBUTT on banjo & vocals, CHRIS MARCHANT on drums and ROGER CURPHEY on double bass. I said it would be yet another Fantastic Fun Filled Friday at Farnborough! “Fantastic” – because they played some fantastic numbers. “Fun” – well of course, to hear ‘Southend Bob’s singing is fun alone. “Filled” – it was certainly filled with “Farnborough’s” punters, who had all of the afore-mentioned! This first picture was sent by Mike with the following attached note, “Here’s pix of a brilliant band: I think that one could be captioned “Bah Tat” since Curphey is improperly dressed!” Just Mike’s humour of course, we all would allow Roger to be dressed in whatever – Oh did I say that?
Mahogany Hall Stompers led by Brian Gyles (trumpet), with Tim Huskisson (clarinet), George ‘Kid’ Tidiman (trombone & vocals), Roger Curphey (d.bass), Chris Marchant (drums) and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt (banjo & vocals). Photo by Mike Witt.
Roger Curphey (Bah Tat) on double bass here with his pint and with Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
‘Southend Bob’ Albutt playing banjo with Mahogany Hall Stompes at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Front line of Mahogany Hall Stompers. (LtoR) Tim Huskisson (clarinet), Brian Gyles (trumpe & band leadert) and George ‘Kid’ Tidiman at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Some of the numbers played were different to most we hear each week, such as the first number I noted, ‘Mabel’s Dream’. I’m not sure I have heard it here before, as with the next number either, ‘Baby Brown’, which was sung by Bob, in his inimitable voice (& humour). Then came ‘Cushion Feet Stomp’, I had put three ticks against this one, with the fact that Bob sang some scat vocals – fabulous. Of course, ‘The Girls Go Crazy ‘Bout The Way I Walk’ is good ol’ favourite of most bands and punters alike, especially when sung by our George and of course the wonderful clarinet sounds from Tim.
They added another favourite – Jack Teagarden’s ‘I’ve Got The Right to Sing the Blues’, lovely stuff played brilliantly. They also played a Doris Day hit song, ‘Everywhere You Go (The Sunshine Follows You)’. Wasn’t she a wonderful singer? – well our Bob sung it with as much aplomb. Plus he also sang the next – ‘I Aint Gonna Give Nobody None O’ This Jelly Roll’, another great old ‘trad’ number.
Super photo of George ‘Kid’ Tidiman on trombone with Mahogany Hall Stompers at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Brian Gyles, trumpeter and band leader of Mahogany Hall Stompes with Chris Marchant on drums at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Chris Marchant on drums and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt on banjo with Mahogany Hall Stompes at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 5th February 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
My next choice to mention was ‘Ace In The Hole’ performed superbly, with lovely solos from everyone – a fantastic drum solo by Chris, sung by Bob AND our audience too! I have to finish, as they did, with that beautiful ‘Louis’ song, ‘What A Wonderful World’. What with Brian’s trumpet playing and It being sung by our ‘Kid’, it meant we all went home feeling very happy, with that song ringing in our ears. Thanks boys.
Diane & Keith