CHEZ CHESTERMAN’S BAND OF BROTHERS

John Crocker is on clarinet and saxophones.  He was for many years a stalwart of ‘Chris Barber’s Band’, who can occasionally be persuaded to sing!

John Howlett on trombone, is another singer.  He is a former member of the ‘Clyde Valley Stompers’ and late of the ‘West Sussex Jazz Kings’.  In an earlier life, John was a rather senior career diplomat – now he can swear in 23 languages!

The back line, engine room, rhythm section, is just about as good as it gets.

On banjo and guitar we have the incomparable Roy James, who was with Acker in the good old days of the ‘trad’ boom.  Roy has graced a number of bands including that of the great Bob Wallis.

On string bass is the ubiquitous Andy Lawrence, a member of ‘Terry Lightfoot’s Band’ for several years and someone who has strut his stuff with many other top bands.

Keeping things moving at the back is my favourite drummer, Bill Finch, whom I first met when he was with the ‘Original Eastside Stompers’ and with whom I was privileged to play in the ‘New Stompers’.

That just leaves me, Chez Chesterman, on cornet and vocals.  I was 3 years with ‘Johnny Parker’s Goodtime Band’ then formed my own band, appearing on BBC radio, firstly on the ‘Jimmy Young Show’, then the ‘Terry Wogan Show’.  From 1992 to 1998, I ran ‘Hot Stuff!’, a 7 piece classic jazz band, which played festivals, theatres and arts centres around the UK. Finally, for those who don’t know us, we devolved from ‘George Webb’s Band of Brothers’ after George’s retirement and we carried on with the support of George and his family.  We shall be back at Welling Jazz Club every 1st Sunday of the month (from November 2013).

Chez Chesterman