Year: 2020

15 March 2020 – New Orleans Heat:   ‘Helping to keep real jazz alive’ is this band’s motto.  The band was made up of Barry Grummett on piano (and leader), Colin Bushell on drums, Harry Slates on double bass, Dave Vickers on trombone and Richard Church on trumpet/cornet.  Additionally today there was Matt Palmer on reeds and Roger Bower on banjo.  The opening number was ‘Ding-a-Ling I Hear the Sound of the Bells’ and the session included: ‘Breeze’, ‘Algiers Strut’, Corine Corina’,’ Teasing Rag’, ‘My Blue Heaven’, ‘When Shadows Fall’, ‘Down in Jungle Town’ and ‘Willie the Weeper’.  Although the audience was smaller than usual due to current health issues New Orleans Heat was well received and by golly they played their socks off.  If we have to shut down for some time this band played us out on a high.   Hopefully we shall be seeing more of them in the future.

8 March 2020 – Max Debon’s Debonairs Little Big Band:  Band members were Max Debon (leader) on trumpet, Sarah Eastwood on clarinet and vocals, John Padfield on alto sax, Anne Holder on tenor sax, Austin Ralphson on trombone, Pete Wilson on keyboard, Peter ‘Pedro’ Robinson on bass and Rob Turner on drums.   They kicked off with ‘One O’clock Jump’ and some of their other numbers included: ‘A Tisket a Tasket’, ‘My Sweet Embraceable You’, ‘Blues in the Night’, ‘Petit Fleur’, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ and ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance.   We were in for a rare treat as Sarah has a lovely voice and treated us to some great numbers.  For such a little lady she has a real big voice.  

1 March 2020 – The Pedigree Jazz Band ‘Salute to Trad Jazz’:  This was a fitting concert with which to remember SJS’s late, blind benefactor Clive Weatherer MBE.  The band were oh so smart in their outfits, so professional.   Chris Walker (Jeremy Corbyn look-alike and leader) on clarinet, Tony Mann on trombone, Andy Chislett on trumpet, Sy Gorelick on drums and Mike Bennett on double bass.  Their usual banjo player, John Noddings was at his daughter’s wedding and so we had the pleasure of the company of Howard Williams on banjo.  Playing hits of the Ball, Bilk and Barber era the numbers included: ‘Good Night Sweet Prince’, ‘The Creole Love Song’, ‘The Old Ragged Cross’, ‘The Livery Stable Blues’, ‘You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans’, ‘Teddybear’s Picnic’ and of course the iconic ‘Midnight in Moscow’.  And not only was the music a delight but we learnt that ‘You Are My Sunshine’ is the State song of Louisiana … who knew that!

Frog & Henry Brass & String – 26 January:  What a treat to get another band composed of younger musicians.  The big draw was Dave Neigh, who plays the world’s only foot operated tuba whilst playing a 6-string banjo but he had fierce competition from FG Henry on guitar, Ewan Bleach on Reeds and piano, Kenmare Anker on violin and Laurin Habert on reeds.  Surprisingly for a band of only five they come from four nations:  Canada, Germany, UK and USA.  The harmonies were good and it was nostalgia at its best.  The opening number was “Cushion Boot Stomp” and other numbers included “In My Little Red Book”,  “Imagination”, “I Ain’t Got No Body”, “Sweet Sue”, “Just Another Memory” “Dance Hall Shuffle” to name some and ending with “Bouncing Around”.  There was a dreamlike quality about the concert that took many back to a different time.  I am sure we shall see them again.

Jake Leg Jug Band – 19 January:  In addition to the five members of the band Mike Pemberton joined them with his trombone. Duncan Wilcox (leader) was on double bass, Liam Ward on harmonica and jug, Toby Wilson on Banjo, Neil Hulse on guitar and Bryony Rose on Washboard and vocals.  They opened with “I Don’t Dance I’ve Got Ants in my Pants”.  Other numbers included “Champagne Charlie”, “She’s on the Road Again”, “Little Black Train”, “Your Feet’s too Big”, “My Handiman”, “I’ve got Nuts for Sale”, “Sugar in my Bowl”, “He’s in the Jailhouse Now” and “My Pencil Won’t Write No More”.  There was plenty of good humour and all of the musicians give vocal.  They were well received and I think the band enjoyed it as much as the audience.

New Orleans Hotshots – 12 January:  It was some 14 years since SJS had a visit from the New Orleans Hotshot.  Today, with only one remaining from the original band – Dave Harmer – this reformed band made another visit.  New members of the band are:  Ivan Huke (cornet), Kelvin Smith (clarinet), Al Harris (bass and vocals), Keith Chaplin (drums) and Joe Nutman (piano).  Some of the tunes in this appearance were: ‘Working Man Blues’, ‘Yes Sir that’s my Baby’, ‘Bad Loser Strut’, a really lovely spiritual ‘Hush, Hush, Somebody is Calling my Name’, ‘Magnetic Rag’, ‘Petit Fleur’ and ‘Clarinet Marmalade’.  I am sure the White Eagle Club will echo to their talented music making again in the near future.

Chris Pearce’s & Andy Leggett’s Sopranos – 5 January 2020:  Members of the band consisted of Chris Pearce and Andy Leggett on reeds, Dave Deakin on trombone, Rachel Hayward on banjo and guitar, Tony Sharp on bass and Dave Andrews on drums.  They started with ‘There’s a Blue Ridge Round my Heart’ and included ‘Cake Walking Babies from Home’, ‘The World is Waiting for the Sunrise’, ‘Creole Love Call’, ‘The Buddy Bolden Stomp’ and ‘Texas Moaner’ to name but a few.  As always the music was lovely and I noted many jigging feet and nodding heads.  Their swinging jazz is always welcomed and their sense of humour appreciated.  Come back soon.