{"id":3821,"date":"2016-08-15T17:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-08-15T17:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/?p=3821"},"modified":"2016-10-26T13:36:26","modified_gmt":"2016-10-26T13:36:26","slug":"tony-pitts-all-stars-friday-12th-august-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/?p=3821","title":{"rendered":"Tony Pitt\u2019s All Stars, Friday 12th August 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

TONY PITT\u2019S ALL STARS<\/strong> <\/span>came to help us celebrate Keith birthday, here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent)<\/strong> <\/span>on FRIDAY, 12<\/strong>th<\/sup> August 2016<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 We were celebrating with a capitol C<\/strong><\/span>, as always.\u00a0\u00a0 Band leader (and banjoist) TONY<\/strong><\/span> had manage to get those fabulous stars (well Tony<\/span><\/strong> is –<\/strong>an extra special musician), ALAN GRESTY<\/strong><\/span> on trumpet &vocals, DAVE HEWITT<\/strong><\/span> on trombone, AL NICHOLLS<\/strong><\/span> on soprano & tenor sax, <\/strong>ANDY LAWRENCE<\/strong><\/span> on double bass and JOHN ELLMER <\/strong><\/span>on drums.\u00a0 What more can I say, but with these fantastic musicians, I told you to expect some humongous fun and that we did!<\/p>\n

\"Tony<\/a>

Tony Pitt’s All Stars came to Farnborough Jazz Club for Keith’s birthday on 12th August 2016. (LtoR) Dave Hewitt (trombone), (hidden) Andy Lawrence (double bass), Alan Gresty (trumpet), (hidden) John Ellmer (drums), Al Nichols (tenor sax) and Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

With so many photos, I have put them all at the end of the write-up this time.\u00a0 Now about their first tune, it\u00a0was \u2018Mama\u2019s Gone, Goodbye\u2019<\/em> <\/span>and what a tremendous job they did, especially Al, being it was the first time he had played it – what a pro\u2019 aye.\u00a0 Then came \u2018Blues My Naughty Sweetie\u2019<\/em><\/span> and did they give it their all (I recall Tony played a fabulous solo), especially as it was a hot night).\u00a0 This was followed on with \u2018Pennies From Heaven\u2019<\/em> <\/span>and brought on all the dancers \u2013 well, it was very hot evening and this was such a lovely slow number.\u00a0 I believe Alan sang, although we had so many friends arriving for Keith\u2019s birthday and hadn\u2019t written it down. \u00a0Now, my next choice was \u2018Carry Me Back to Ol\u2019 Virginie\u2019<\/em><\/span>. \u00a0(I recall Tony saying Alan had requested this number be played.)\u00a0 We did our line-dance to this, although not ideal, plus I had my ankle \u2018go\u2019 on me, so had a hard job, but we enjoyed it. \u00a0\u00a0John was brilliant with a great drum solo intro to \u2018Hindustan\u2019<\/em>, a fabulous favourite with so many trad bands.\u00a0\u00a0Next, Tony made an announcement, telling us the next number was dedicated especially to Keith.\u00a0 It was \u2018When I Grow Too Old To Dream\u2019<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 Yes, everyone had a laugh at that.\u00a0 Another tune to mention (written by Lovie Austin, a famous 1920\u2019s band leader ranked alongside Lil Harding Armstrong) was \u2018Traveling Blues\u2019<\/em><\/span>. \u00a0Al played super tenor sax.\u00a0 I was so fed up I couldn\u2019t dance, it is such a great one to dance to.\u00a0 Oh, I must mention \u2018Saint Louis Blues\u2019<\/em><\/span>, what a great jazz song and I put several ticks \u2013 to make sure I\u2019d mention it.\u00a0 Wow, they were all excellent, playing \u2013 all of them, I mean! Great trumpet, fabulous tenor sax, super trombone (Tony, you surely can pick \u2018erm \u2013 musicians aye).\u00a0 Keith got me up to dance, pretty impossible really with my ankle keep \u2018giving way\u2019 on me, but Keith ended up\u00a0dancing\u00a0a duo\u00a0with John\u2019s drum solo.\u00a0 Keith is actually doing his own form of tap dancing (he had impossible shoes on too), but being a drummer, he is wonderful with his footwork.\u00a0 Everyone thought he was brilliant \u2013 the band thought he might have a heart attack at any moment \u2013 ha.\u00a0 \u00a0(I haven’t told Keith yet, but my son-in-law (Scott)\u00a0filmed this and hopefully it will look as good as it did on the night.\u00a0 Scott promised to get it to me soon and I shall put it here for you to see,)\u00a0\u00a0Their last number was \u2018Blue, Turning Grey Over You\u2019<\/span><\/em>, which is Tony\u2019s theme song.\u00a0 Keith joined me on the dance floor \u2013 awhh, how romantic again.\u00a0 You must put Tony\u2019s next date here in your diaries, being Friday, 28th October 2016.<\/p>\n

Here is the video of\u00a0Tony Pitt\u2019s All Stars taken\u00a0with Keith tap dancing on his birthday, 12th August 2016.\u00a0 Click on:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/QjvcJbcwqvA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Please leave your comments on it as to\u00a0what you think!\u00a0 The band were superb.<\/p>\n

Your hosts, Diane and ol\u2019 Keith<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Blue, Turning Grey Over You\u2019 \u2013 (m) Fats Waller, (l) Andy Razaf (1929)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me\u2019 \u2013 Charles McCarron, Casey Morgan & Arthur Swanstrom (1919)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Carry Me Back to Old Virginny\u2019 \u2013 James A. Baland (1878) \u2013 re-written in 1940, but retired<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Hindustan\u2019 \u2013 (m) Harold Weeks, (l) Oliver G Wallace (1917)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Mama\u2019s Gone, Goodbye\u2019 \u2013 A J Piron & Peter Bocage (1923)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Pennies From Heaven\u2019 (m) Arthur Johnston, (l) Johnny Burke (1936)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Saint Louis Blues\u2019 \u2013 W.C. Hanley (1914)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018Traveling Blues\u2019 \u2013 Lovie Austin (1924)<\/em><\/h6>\n
\u2018When I Grow Too Old To Dream\u2019 \u2013 (m) Sigmund Romberg, (l) Oscar Hammerstein II (1935) <\/em><\/h6>\n
\"Andy<\/a>

Andy Lawrence on double bass and John Ellmer on drums of Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club, playing for Keith’s birthday on 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt<\/span>.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Andy<\/a>

Andy Lawrence plays double bass and John Ellmer plays drums for Tony Pitt’s All Stars at Farnborough Jazz Club for Keith’s birthday on 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Dave<\/a>

Dave Hewitt plays trombone, with Alan Gresty on trumpet and Al Nichols on tenor sax, front line of Tony Pitt’s All Stars, seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club for Keith’s birthday on 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The ‘Engine’ of Tony Pitt’s All Stars play for Keith Grant’s birthday (co-promoter of Farnborough Jazz Club) on 12th August 2016. (LtoR) Andy Lawrence (double bass), John Ellmer (drums) & Tony Pitt (banjo). Photo by Mike Witt (also a b’day boy).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Tony<\/a>

Tony Pitt plays banjo with his own ‘Tony Pitt’s All Stars and John Ellmer on drums, They were here at Farnborough Jazz Club for Keith’s birthday on 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Andy<\/a>

Andy Lawrence (d’bass) and John Ellmer (drums) play for co-promoter Keith Grant’s birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club with Tony Pitt’s All Stars on 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt (also b’day a boy)<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Front<\/a>

Front line of Tony Pitt’s All Stars Jazz Band, playing for co-promoter, Keith Grant’s birthday at Farnborough Jazz Club on 12th August 2016. (LtoR) Dave Hewitt (trombone), Alan Gresty (trumpet), Al Nichols (soprano sax) plus Andy Lawrence behind (d.bass). Photo by Mike Witt (also a b’day boy).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My granddaughter Zianna, joins me with the raffle draw at Farnborough Jazz Club with Tony Pitt’s All Stars on Keith’s birthday, 12th August 2016. Photo by Mike Witt (also a b’day boy).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TONY PITT\u2019S ALL STARS came to help us celebrate Keith birthday, here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB (Kent) on FRIDAY, 12th August 2016.\u00a0 We were celebrating with a capitol C, as always.\u00a0\u00a0 Band leader (and banjoist) TONY had manage to get those fabulous stars (well Tony is –an extra special musician), ALAN GRESTY on trumpet &vocals, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tony-pitts-all-stars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=3821"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4174,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions\/4174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farnboroughjazz.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}