PHOENIX DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND gave us a terrific time here at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday 11th March 2016.
Paul Higgs & Charles Sherwood with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band play at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Robin Coombs and Pauline watch on. Photo by Mike Witt.
They’re a wonderful 7-pce band who certainly know how to enjoy themselves and so always ensures we do too – a brilliant evening. We had the usual musicians, PAUL HIGGS on trumpet, CHARLES SHERWOOD on clarinet, BILL TODD on trombone, ALAN CLARKE on drums, DAVE BARNES on piano, ROGER CURPHEY on double bass and JOHN STUART on banjo & guitar. Robin and Pauline were in the audience and I know he was really proud of his band.
Dave Barnes of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band, plays at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Their repertoire had such numbers as ‘Pennies From Heaven’ sung by Dave. [This Bing Crosbie number has an historic ‘first’, being recorded twice by Frank Sinatra and has been recorded by dozens of top stars since 1936, until present day!] Paul gave a fabulous rendition of ‘Cornet Chop Suet’ – great finger-tapping from Dave on piano too. Of course the same happened with ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’ – everyone excelled.
John Stuart of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band playing at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Then John played a super guitar solo in ‘You Took Advantage of Me’, a lovely Rosemary Clooney number. And what about ‘South Rampart Street Parade’, brilliant – we (nine of us – not bad considering several of our usual people were away at jazz festivals) got up for a line-dance. Quite a fast number for us, especially with Alan’s drum solo, and the number lasted a long time too! Phew.
Bill Todd (trb) & Paul Higgs (trp) of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band play at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt
Bill Todd, Paul Higgs & Charles Sherwood enjoy playing with Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11 March 2016.. Photo by Mike Witt.
Charles Sherwood (reeds) of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band plays sax at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club with (LtoR)(hidden-John Stuart (bnj), Bill Todd (trb), (hidden Alan Clake (drms), Paul Higgs (trp), (hidden Roger Curphey (d.bass) Charles Sherwood (rds) & Dave Barnes (pno). 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Now the next number had a wonderful intro from Paul and Dave to one of the most beautiful of songs ’Stardust’. Charles played a lovely bit of sax, as did Bill on trombone and John on guitar. I love the calypso, played next ‘On a Coconut Island’, it’s a lovely one to dance to. They also played John Williams’ ‘Cantina Band’, played last time they were here and I requested they play it again. Last time it had a Charleston thread, this time with a ‘Black Bottom’ thread (if I know what I mean – ha).
Roger Curphey (double bass) of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Club plays a strong part of the ‘engine’ at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Alan Clarke of Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band, plays great drums at Farnborough Jazz Club on 11th March 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
My last number to mention was played by the ‘engine’ only, very impressive and that was ‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’. There were many great numbers and this all made up for a marvellous evening. I told you they could follow on from the fantastic evening produced the week before – thanks boys for another exciting evening of ‘Live’ jazz.
Diane and Keith