We had so much fun with ‘LAURIE CHESCOE’S REUNION BAND’ here at the FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB, Kent on Friday, 22nd April 2016. Drummer and leader, Laurie, was joined by ALLAN (‘Lord Arsenal’) BRADLEY on trumpet & vocals, JOHN LEE on reeds, MIKE POINTON on trombone, COLIN BRAY on piano, sax & xylophone, JIM DOUGLAS on banjo & guitar and PETER SKIVINGTON on bass guitar & bass ukulele.
John Lee plays clarinet with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22apr2016. (behind – LtoR) Mike Pointon (trombone) Laurie Chescoe (drums), Allan ‘Lord Arsenal’ Bradley (trumpet) and Peter Skivington (bass guitar & bass ukelele). Photo by Mike Witt.
I wished I could really write well enough to conjure up the true picture of how wonderful an evening these fabulous musicians give – such super entertainment. However, I will try. Their first number was a Frank Sinatra hit, called ‘Sunday’ and of course Allan sung it wonderfully. Their next number had everyone up dancing with ‘S’ Wonderful’ (written by the Gershwin brothers’). They followed on with such a super one, being ‘Fidgety Feet’ (John played clarinet).
Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. (LtoR) Jim Douglas (guitar), Mike Pointon (trombone), Laurie Chescoe (drums), Allan ‘Lord Arsenal’ Bradley (trumpet) & Pete Skivington (bass guitar). Photo by Mike Witt.
Allen has such a marvellous voice, he and Mike on trombone showed the business with ‘Them Their Eyes’, to which we showed our appreciation by dancing our line-dance. He also sang one of his favourite numbers, ‘Oh Marie’, with the band echoing behind him. Everyone entered the floor to dance away to ‘Old Rockin’ Chair’s Got Me’, which again Allan sang, with Mike joining him – just love Hoagy Carmichael’s stuff.
‘Engine’ of Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22apr2016. (LtoR) Colin Bray (piano), Jim Douglas (banjo/guitar), Laurie Chescoe (drums) and Peter Skivington (bass guitar & bass ukelele). Photo by Mike Witt.
Allan ‘Lord Arsenal’ Bradley swops with Colin Bray and plays piano with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Colin Bray plays soprano sax, swopping places with Allan, who played piano, with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Jazz Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Their next number was to have Allan and Colin swop places, Allan on piano and Colin up front on soprano sax, plus John on tenor sax. Wonderful stuff to ‘Slow Boat To China’. John featured next – again playing tenor and with the backing of Jim, to ‘Swing 42’, oh he is brilliant on tenor (he used to play in Keith’s ‘KGB’ [Keith Grant Band]).
John Lee plays tenor sax for Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band (behind are Jim Douglas, Laurie and Pete Skivington) at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Colin Bray ‘takes to the stage’ and plays xylophone (Laurie sits this one out) with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Next was Colin’s speciality – up he comes with his ironing board!!!! (Allan taking to the piano again) and they begin to play ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’, what’s special, you ask? Colin proceeds to play xylophone – with such magic too. I personally think Colin is a genius.
Colin Bray plays xylophone (Laurie watches on – seated) with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
Jim and Peter then played their special duet to ‘My Man’, quite super, holding everyone’s attention. They played more tunes, but I made no more notes, as I was dancing (and drinking hmmm).
Allen ‘Lord Arsenal’ Bradley plays trumpet, backed by Laurie on drums and Pete on guitar with Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22nd April 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.
On closing, I have to mention Laurie, who is a wonderful drummer. As you will see from these photos, how right I was, what a fabulous ol’ smiler he is, reminiscent of Gene Krupa (and Keith too aye). Don’t you just love a smiler? Thanks boys, another fantastic evening.
Couldn’t resist this one of Laurie’s cheeky smile! This is Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) on 22apr2016. (LtoR) Mike Pointon (trombone), Colin Bray (piano), Jim Douglas (banjo/guitar), Laurie Chescoe (drums) and Peter Skivington (bass guitar & bass ukelele). Photo by Mike Witt.
Diane and Keith
‘Fidgety Feet’ – Nick LaRocca & Larry Shields (1919)
‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1928)
‘My Man’ – (m) Maurice Yvain, (l) Jacques Charles, Channing Pollack & Albert Willemetz (1921)
‘Oh! Marie’ – (m) Eduardo Di Capua, (l) Vincenzo Russo (circa 1890) (l) Louis Prima version (1958)
‘Rockin’ Chair’ – Hoagy Carmichael (1929/30)
‘S’ Wonderful’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) Ira Gershwin (1927)
‘Slow Boat To China’ – Frank Loesser (1948)
‘Sunday’ – (m) Chester Cohn, (l) Julie Styne, Bennie Krueger & Ned Miller (1926)
‘Swing 42’ – Django Reinhardt (1941 –for 1942)
‘Them Their Eyes’ – Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber and William Tracey (1930)
N.B.
Last week, I managed to catch up on some newsletters, two being Laurie’s for 3rd July and 4th September 2015. Plus New Orleans Zulus for 22nd May 2015, Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band for 5th June 2015 and Mardi Gras for 20th November 2015. This week, have downloaded Dave Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band for 13th June 2015. Have a read, when you have time.