Month: April 2024

31 March 2024 – Jane Williams’ Jazz Quintet featuring Andy Leggett:  This is the second time for this band to come to SJS.   The band consists of Jane Williams (leader) on ukulele and vocals, Mike Frost on guitar, Bill Lynn on string bass, Greg Evans on drums and 82 on the day of this concert was the great Andy Leggett on reeds including bass saxophone.   They opened with ‘All Of Me’ and continued with ‘Blue Moon’, ‘You Don’t Know Me’, ‘S’Wonderful’, ‘Poor Papa’, ‘I Put A Spell On You’, ‘Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby’, ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’, ‘After You’re Gone’, ‘I’m Lazy That’s All’, ‘Almost Like Being in Love’, ‘I Thought About You’, ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing’, ‘There Was A Boy’, ‘I Want A Big Butter And Egg Man’ and ‘Straighten Up And Fly Right’.  The music hit the spot and the band received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the session.  Looking forward to hearing more from this great band.

24 March 2024 – Richard Leach’s Street Band:  The band consists of Richard Leach (leader) on trombone, Tony Pipkin on cornet and vocals, Zoltan Sagi on clarinet + alto sax, Dave Deakin on sousaphone, Mark Challinor on guitar, banjo, ukulele and vocals and Nick Ward on vintage percussion.  They opened with ‘Three Little Words’ and went on with ‘Carry Me Back To Old Virginia’, ‘Buddy’s Habits’, ‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’, ‘Let The Light From The Lighthouse Shine On Me’, ‘Stevedore Stomp’, ‘Smiles’, ‘Swing That Music’, ‘That’s A Plenty’, ‘September in the Rain’, ‘ San Francisco Bay Blues’, ‘Body And Soul’, ‘Bogalusa Strut’, ‘From Monday On’, ‘Old Shanty Town’ and ‘Wolverine Blues’.  What a lovely concert by gifted musicians.  We look forward to them returning to play for us in the next season.

17 March 2024 – Jake Leg Jug Band:  This well known band has Duncan Wilcox (leader) on double bass and vocals, Cohen Wilcox on washboard, Warren James on guitar, banjo and vocals, Richard Leach on trombone and Andy Henderson on Trumpet.  They opened with ‘I Can’t Dance – Got Ants in my Pants’, and continued with ‘Mouthful O’ Jam’, ‘On The Road Again’, ‘ Goodbye Booze’, ‘Some Day You’ll Be Sorry’, ‘I Belong to the Band, Hallelujah’, ‘Light from the Lighthouse’, ‘Let the Midnight Special Shine a Light on Me’, ‘Ezekiel Saw The Wheel’, ‘Killin’ Jive’, ‘St Louis Blues’, Meeting At The Building’, ‘They Hung Him On A Cross’, ‘Ella Speed’, ‘He’s In The Jailhouse Now’, ‘Hot Nuts’, finishing with ‘Alabama Blues’.  Such a full programme and they tell me that they are bringing out a full CD of gospel blues which they will be playing in the coming season in churches.  Perhaps the funniest thing was watching Warren play the jug … but at least he did try.  Look forward to seeing them again in the not too distant future.

10 March 2024 – Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants:  This band is such a mixture of humour and jazz and comprises Kevin Grenfell (leader) on trombone, trumpet and vocals – and of course humour, Jeremy Huggett on reeds, Richard Hughes on piano, Simon Smith on double bass and ‘Baby’ Jools Aldridge on drums.   They opened with ‘Hindustan’ and went on to play ‘Blue Moon’, ‘Love’, ‘Gonna Take A Sentimental Journey’, ‘Pennies from Heaven’, ‘Up A Lazy River’, ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘That’s Why the Lady is a Tramp’, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, ‘I’ve Found a New Baby’, ‘There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens and as usual they ended with ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’.  Smiley faces and tapping feet (and a little bit of quiet singing along) said the audience really liked this programme and this band so we look forward to seeing more of them next year.

3 March 2024 – Fret & Fiddle:   This 5-piece band regularly plays for Stafford Jazz Society.  The band comprises Sally Whitham (leader) on jazz violin and vocals, Andy Bole on guitar, Richard Hughes on piano, Simon Smith on string bass and Steve Street on drums.  Their opening number was the lovely ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and they went on to play ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love Baby’, ‘Tiko Tiko’, ‘ There Once Was a Boy’, ‘Chikita’, ‘The Autumn Leaves’, ‘Misirlou’, ‘Take the A Train’, ‘J’entendre’, ‘Softly As In The Morning Sunlight’, ‘Make Me A Pallet’, ‘Tiger Rag’, ‘I’m Ready’, ‘Caravan’, ‘Chocolate Jesus’, ‘Jeeves & Wooster’, ‘Riding the Rails’ and ending with ‘Csardas’.  What a lovely mixture and little wonder the audience were on their feet to applaud them.  We look forward to seeing them again.

Bob Dwyer’s Celeb 6 – 25 February 2024:  Playing together for the first time we do know most of the musicians.  The band consisted of Bob Dwyer (leader) on trombone and vocals, Jon Penn on piano, Marc Easener on string bass, Matt Palmer on reeds, Pete Rudeforth on trumpet and vocals and Nick Ward on vintage percussion.  They opened with ‘Riverboat Shuffle’ and went on with ‘I’m Coming Virginia’, ‘The Love Nest’, ‘Apex Blues’, ‘Struttin’ With Some Barbecue’, ‘Baby Won’t You Please Come Home’, ‘The Original Dixieland One Step’, ‘Nagasaki’, ‘Weary Blues’, ‘ There Will Never Be Another You’, ‘Perdido Street Blues’, ‘Davenport Blues’ (a trumpet solo), ‘Running Wild’, ‘Jazz Me Blues’, ‘Chevy Chase’ (a piano rag solo) and ending with ‘So Do I’.  A good show and one enjoyed by all.

Sarah Spencer’s Sax ‘N’ Bone Band – 18 February 2024: What music, what joy.  With Sarah Spencer (leader) on saxophone, Mike Owen on trombone, Jim “Lord” Swinnerton on bass, Graham Smith on drums, Rachel Hayward on banjo and Zoltan Sagi on reeds it was difficult to believe this band was making it’s debut today at the White Eagle Club.  They opened with ‘My Memphis Baby’ and went on with, in no particular order, ‘I’ll Always Be In Love’, ‘Bogalusa’, ‘On Moonlight Bay’, ‘Whenever You’re Lonesome’, ‘Willie The Weeper’, ‘Walking with My Baby’, ‘Ice Cream’, ‘On A Coconut Island’, ‘When We Dance’, ‘Oh How I Miss You’ and ‘I Can’t Escape’.  This was all good listening and was greeted with much enthusiasm by the audience.

Warren “Lonnie” James & His Skiffle Band – 11 February 2024:  What a show!!  Warren “Lonnie” James on guitar and banjo and vocals was accompanied on this occasion by Jim “Lord” Swinnerton on bass, drummer “Baby” Jools Aldridge, Mke Owen on trombone and special guest lead guitarist Howard Gregory.  Songs were: ‘Hard Travellin’, ‘Keep on the Sunnyside’, ‘Cotton Fields Back Home’, ‘Wreck of Old 97’, ‘My Dixie Darling’, ‘Take My Hand Precious Lord’, ‘Jessie James’, ‘Railroad Bill’, ‘Goin’ Down Road Feeling Bad’, ‘Rambling Round Your Town’. ‘Steam Line Train’, ‘Can’t Ya Line Em’, ‘Midnight Special’, ‘New Buryin Ground’, ‘Worried Man’, ‘I Don’t Want No Other Baby’, ‘Light from the Lighthouse’, ‘Green Corn’, ‘Take This Hammer’, ‘This Train is Bound for Glory’, ‘Freight Train’ and finishing with ‘Last Train to San Fernando’ (and there were many there joining in with this one especially).  Now like the professional he is Warren interspersed the music with information about how skiffle came about, the American Civil War, Slavery, Depression, Rent House Parties and explained how initially each county in the USA had its own style of music but when it travelled it grew into something wonderful to hear after radio stations began playing different styles of music – folk, country, skiffle and gospel.  I could go on but I won’t.  It was a real education and if you’ve not heard this show I urge you find out where it’s at and get yourself a ticket or two.

Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz & Boogie Band – 4 February 2024:  This five piece classic jazz and boogie combo comprised Jeremy Huggett (leader) on piano and vocals, Alex Clarke on saxophones, Kevin Grenfell on trombone, trumpet, vocals (and jokes), Simon Smith on bass and Steve Palmer on drums.  Their opening number was ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing’, one of the favourites.  This was followed by:  ‘Josephine’, ‘Lady Be Good’, ‘Some Day You’ll Be Sorry’, ‘Take the A Train’, ‘St Louis Blues’, ‘I’m Walking’, ‘Margie’, ‘Bei Mir Bistu Shein’ (My Dear My Shane), ‘Oh Baby What You Gonna Do’, ‘I’m Confessing That I Love You’, ‘The Hucklebuck’, ‘Summer Time’ and finishing with a rip roaring version of ‘Steam Line Train’ which had feet bouncing.  What a lovely concert.  We look forward to seeing them again.