Month: November 2022

Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz & Boogie Band – 30 October 2022:  What a brilliant band this was.  Leader – Jeremy Huggett – usually known for his reeds was on keyboard and wow could he boogie.  Along with Jeremy were Alex Clarke (saxophones), Kevin Grenfell (trumpet, trombone and vocals), Mike Green on bass and Steve Street on drums.  Their opening number was ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Aint Got that Swing’.  Various titles, selected randomly from the concert were: ‘ Hello How Do You Do?”, “Indiana”, “Some Day You’ll be Sorry”, “I’m confessing that I Love You”, “I’m Walking”, “Any Time You Feel Downhearted”, “My Blue Heaven” and a fantastic performance of “A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On”.  There were grins from ear to ear on faces as people staggered out of the Club at the end of an amazing performance.  I am not the only one who can hardly wait to hear them again.

(Sorry folks – no iPad, no phone and so no pictures of the lovely Andy Leggett’s Centenary Serenaders).

Andy Leggett’s Centenary Serenaders – 23 October 2022:  This Band had the pleasure of playing on the 41^st anniversary of Stafford Jazz Society, and they did us pround.  Kerry Williams (trumpet), Dave Deakin (trombone), Rachel Hayward (guitar/banjo), Bill Frampton (bass), Dave Andrews (drums) and Andy Leggett – leader – on clarinet/soprano sax/alto sax and tenor sax played their socks off.  Their opening number was ‘Black Cat on the Fence’ and the programme throughout included numbers such as ‘Everywhere You Go (Sunshine Follows You)’, ‘The Savoy Blues’, The Coffee Grinder (also known as the Rubber plant Rag in New Orleans)’, You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’, ‘Poncho Train’, ‘Jacqueline’, ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, ‘Breeze Blow My Baby Back to Me’ and ‘Halleluja’.  Great sound, great playing – we look forward to them coming back soon.

Mike Owen’s Scarlette’s Serenaders – 16 October 2022:   This band is always welcome in Stafford.   The band consists of Mike Owen (leader) on trombone, Sarah Spencer on reeds and vocals, Ian Wynne on piano, Nick Ward on percussion and Richard Vernon on bass.  Sadly Christine Tyrrell who was due to guest with them had to cry off as she was unwell.  The band opened with ‘All I Do is Dream of You’ and went on to include ‘Memories’, ‘Absolutely Positively’, ‘Tie Me To Your Apron String Again’, ‘Don’t Tell Jesus’, ‘Pay Day Blues’ and one with a real long title – ‘If That Isn’t Love it’ll Just have to do Until the Real Thing comes Along’.  I loved every minute of the show and look forward to seeing them back at the White Eagle Club next year.

Chicago Teddybears Society Jazzband – 9 October 2022:   It was lovely to see this favourite band back with us once more.   There was Rae Owens (leader) on banjo and guitar, Jim Lucas on trumpet, John Padfield on reeds, Andrew McKenzie on trombone, Dean Revera on brass and Brian Singleton on drums.  Some of the numbers they played included ‘Dr Jazz’, ‘China Boy’, ‘Canal Street Blues’, My Blue Heaven’, ‘Sunday’, ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, ‘Indiana’ and ‘Everybody Loves My Baby but My Baby Don’t Love Nobody But Me’ and ‘The Muskrat Ramble’.  Such music, such musicianship, such a lovely time had by all.

25 September 2022 – Baby Jools’ Jazzaholics:  Now this was the one everybody was waiting for – a particular favourite of the man who runs the White Eagle Club (Andrew).  Baby Jools on drums, ‘Magic’ Mike Henry on trumpet, Karl ‘Tarzan’ Hird on reeds, Jim ‘Lord’ Swinnerton on bass, Warren ‘Lonnie’ James on banjo and guitar and Ian ‘Professor’ Bateman on trombone produced the most amazing sounds, including taking us back to the days of Lonnie Donnegan.  They opened with ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ and went on to give us ‘Dinah’, ‘Lost John’, ‘Down by the Riverside’, ‘Basin Street Blues’, ‘Putting on the Style’, ‘Dr Jazz’ and ‘Tiger Rag’.   The room was awash with memories and faces wreathed in smiles – this was certainly a concert worth waiting for.  A little bird tells me that they are due to return in January 2023 … can’t wait!

18 September 2022 – Wabash Jazzmen featuring Nick Ward:  How lovely to see this band back with us again.   Lead by Mark Challinor on banjo and guitar (and occasionally his ukulele), there is also Mike Hayler on reeds, Richard Leach on trombone, Tony Pipkin on cornet, Richard Vernon on string bass and Nick Ward on percussion.  Music at its best included ‘At a Georgia Camp Meeting’, ‘My Blue Heaven’, ‘The Gospel Train’, ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’, ‘The Bobalusa Stroll’ and ‘The Algiers Strut’ to name but a few but the title that really caught my imagination was ‘Take Off your Suit and Dance in Your Bones’.  Looking around the room one could see heads bobbing in time to the music, feet tapping and a general atmosphere of admiration for this band.

11 September 2022 – Tame Valley Stompers:  This band has come year after year.  Today, after a one minute silence in respect for the Queen’s passing, Terry Brunt played the National Anthem on his trombone. There was sad news that Norman Pennington had passed away recently.  A warm welcome was given to the new drummer – Rod Macmanara.  Other members of the band included Terry Brunt on trombone, Paul Broomhead on reeds, Roger Wimpeny on trumpet (and mirth!), Peter Smith on bass guitar and John Gordon on banjo and guitar.  Some of the numbers they played were as follows: ‘Roll Out the Barrel’, ‘Just a Little While’, ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing’, ‘As We Danced at the Mardi Gras’, ‘Lady be Good’, ‘Basin Street Blues and Downtown Strutters Ball’ to name a few.   See you again fellas.

4 September 2022 – Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band:  As first gigs go this one went down to hugh applause after each number.  The band consisted of Sarah Spencer on saxophone, Mike “Magic” Henry on Trumpet, Mike Owen on trombone, Hugh Crozier on piano, “Lord” Jim Swinnerton on string bass and “Baby” Jools Aldridge on drums.  Their programme included ‘First Choice’, ‘Blue Monday’ (which was my favourite of the afternoon), ‘If It Don’t Fit Don’t Force It’, ‘It feels So Good’, ‘All that I Ask is Love’,  ‘Send Me Some Loving’, ‘Get Out of Here and Go Home’, ‘Going Down by the Levee’, ‘Eh! La Bas’ (which means Hey, Over There), ‘Without You for an Inspiration’, ‘Kansas City Stomp’ and Papa’s Got No Jim Jams’ to name some.  There were smiling faces and tapping feet – no doubt that these fine musicians were well received.  We look forward to hearing from them again in the near future.