{"id":353,"date":"2014-01-18T18:30:02","date_gmt":"2014-01-18T18:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/?page_id=353"},"modified":"2016-07-19T12:44:07","modified_gmt":"2016-07-19T12:44:07","slug":"phoenix-dixieland-jazz-band","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/?page_id=353","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band"},"content":{"rendered":"

The band was formed 24 years ago by clarinettist\u00a0ROBIN COOMBS<\/b>\u00a0as a six-piece group (although now playing as a seven-pce band).\u00a0 In 1994, the addition of a pianist enabled the band to extend its repertoire and widen its general appeal. Very few changes of personnel have taken place over the years and the original three \u201cfront liners\u201d \u2013 clarinet, trumpet and trombone are still playing together (on a good night!)<\/p>\n

The repertoire consists mostly of well-known pieces penned by the great popular music composers of the 1920\u2019s up to the middle of the last century \u2013 Duke Ellington, WC Handy, Hoagy Carmichael, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Scott Joplin to name just a few.<\/p>\n

The band has played at many prestigious venues and for all kinds of functions; from local pubs to 1000 seat concerts. Venues include the Brighton Conference Centre, Lincoln\u2019s Inn Great Hall, University College London, Charity fund-raising events, Jazz Clubs, Corporate Events, Masonic functions, Golf Clubs, Riverboats, The FA Cup Final,\u00a0Royal Ascot, The Channel Tunnel, Channel 4\u2019s Big Breakfast Show, The House of Commons and even on top of Tower Bridge!<\/p>\n

Since 2004, the band has also entertained on various cruise ships sailing around the world.<\/p>\n

Recently, the band has been re-formed and for the time-being,<\/p>\n

The Members of the Band consists of:<\/b><\/p>\n

ROBIN COOMBS<\/b> (leader\/clarinet) has known Keith, since his (Keith\u2019s) racing days 40yrs ago.<\/p>\n

PAUL HIGGS<\/b> (trumpet) is renowned as one of the UK\u2019s leading trumpet players and composers.\u00a0 Blending the traditions of classical and jazz, he has the rare ability to capture the most elusive of dreams in his music, expressing subtle emotions and bold exciting energy with equal ease. Melodies soar and float, while rich harmonies create shadows and depths beneath.\u00a0 Paul has had an extensive musical career in many fields including performing, composing and arranging music for film, TV and theatre. He was a Musical Director for many years for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.\u00a0\u00a0 He has performed with luminaries including Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Johnny Dankworth, Lulu, Tony Hatch, John Williams, Nancy Wilson and Shorty Rodgers. Paul has also performed in major concert venues around the world, such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Schubert Theatre (USA), Berlin Concert Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott\u2019s. His website is www.paulhiggs.co<\/a>\u00a0. \u00a0You should make a visit to listen to his beautiful playing.<\/p>\n

BILL TODD<\/b> on trombone,<\/p>\n

TIM HUSKISSON<\/b>\u00a0on piano,<\/p>\n

<\/b>JOHN STUART<\/b>\u00a0(banjo & guitar) and Keith were both in The Manhatton Jazz Band, plus John played in Keith’s own band called \u2018The KGB\u2019 \u00a0(both bands over 20yrs ago).<\/p>\n

ROGER CURPHEY<\/b>\u00a0(double bass) and Keith were both in Mack White\u2019s quartet, plus Roger played in Keith’s own band called \u2018The KGB\u2019 \u00a0(both bands over 20yrs ago).<\/p>\n

ALAN CLARKE<\/b>\u00a0(drums) has been a professional musician and drum teacher for over 40 years.\u00a0 Some of the artists he has worked and recorded with include Nik Kershaw, Jools Holland, Robin Trower, Roy Castle, The Drifters, The Platters & Brian Conley. American artists include Glen Campbell, Kenny Rodgers, Diane Solomon, and the late great BOB HOPE.\u00a0 West End shows he has played in are, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat, Boy Band, Jolson the Musical & Cliff the Musical.\u00a0 His website is www.alanclarkedrums.co.uk<\/a> \u00a0You must also visit and listen to his drum battle with his son, Rob playing \u2018Caravan\u2019, just brilliant.<\/p>\n

\"'Orion<\/a>

‘Orion Dixielanders’ circa1949
Keith Grant (drums) Ken Godfrey (clarinet) Norman Bull (trombone) John Godfrey (trumpet) Hugh Ledigo(piano )<\/p><\/div>\n

Previous players with the Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band were<\/p>\n

DAVE WARE<\/b>\u00a0(trumpet).<\/p>\n

NORMAN BULL<\/b>\u00a0(trombone) was in a band (\u2018The Orion Dixielanders\u2019) with Keith 60yrs ago whilst in their teens. (see photo at foot of page)<\/p>\n

DAVE BARNES<\/b>\u00a0(piano),<\/p>\n

TONY BLACKBURN<\/b>\u00a0(drums); and<\/p>\n

LYNN SAUNDERS\u00a0<\/b>was in three bands with Keith 25yrs ago i.e.\u00a0 \u2018Manhatton Jazz\u2019, \u2018Mack White Quartet\u2019 and \u2018The KGB\u2019 (Keith Grant Band).<\/p>\n

\"Phoenix<\/a><\/p>\n

Left to right: \u00a0 \u00a0Lynn Saunders, Dave Barnes, Roger Curphey, Tony Blackburn, Norman Bull, Dave Ware \u00a0and Robin Coombs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The band was formed 24 years ago by clarinettist\u00a0ROBIN COOMBS\u00a0as a six-piece group (although now playing as a seven-pce band).\u00a0 In 1994, the addition of a pianist enabled the band to extend its repertoire and widen its general appeal. Very few changes of personnel have taken place over the years and the original three \u201cfront […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1769,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-353","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=353"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3751,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353\/revisions\/3751"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}