30 November 2025: NO CONCERT
23 November 2025 – Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Falcons: It was good to see Kevin Grenfell bring his new ensemble, Jazz Falcons, to play. As well as Kevin on trombone and vocals this consisted of Gethin Liddington on trumpet, John Hallam on reeds, Vic Partridge on banjo and guitar, Simon Smith on double bass and Steve Street on drums. They opened with ‘Hindustan’ and continued with ‘New To Me’, ‘Girl Of My Dreams’, ‘I Found A New Baby’, ‘My Blue Heaven’, ‘If I Had You’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’, ‘Sentimental Journey’, ‘Shine’, ‘Sugar’ ‘It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie’, ‘Swing That Music’ and ended with ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’. The whole programme was interspersed with the jokes that Kevin seems to pull out of nowhere and which we all enjoy. It’s a pleasure to see this band in action and we now look forward to Christmas 2026 when Kevin will be coming again to visit us. Can’t wait.
16 November 2025 – Swing 25: Good to see this band again with Julian Gregory on the violin, Matthew Compton on the accordion, Paul Hartley on the guitar, Ken Marley on bass and Paul Turner on percussion. The heat in the room rose instantly once they started playing, opening with ‘Bossa Dorado’, and going on with ‘After You’ve Gone’, ‘Autumn Leaves’, ‘Manoir De Mes Reves’, Daphne’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘Mambo Influenciado’ and ‘La Vie En Rose’ bringing us to the interval. Second half opened with ‘Minor Swing’, ‘All Of Me’, ‘Flambee Montalbanaise’ (the accordion left you in no doubt you were sitting in the sunshine near the Seine with a glass of wine in one hand), ‘Broadway’, ‘A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square’, ‘Johnny and Mary’, ‘Dark Eyes’ and ending with ‘Honeysuckle Rose’. The room was on its feet and the applause went on and on. Certainly this band is a bit hit with Stafford Jazz Society. Looking forward to Swing 26 next year.
9 November 2025 – Sticky Wicket’s Swingtet featuring Chris Gumbley: It was good to see this band again and with the addition of Sarah Cartwright on vocals the musicians were Alan ‘Sticky’ Wicket (leader) on drums, Jim Wynne on piano, Nick Wiltshire on vocals and Chris Gumbley on saxophone and clarinet. Opening number was ‘Honeysuckle Rose’, followed by ‘Boogie Blues’, ‘China Boy’, ‘Petite Fleur’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘After You’ve Gone’, ‘Cry Me A River’, ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing’, ‘I Got Rhythm’, ‘That Old Devil Called Love’, ‘Nice Work if You Can Get It’, ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ (played with Chris on a bass clarinet), ‘Caravan’, ‘I’m Beginning To See The Light’ and ending with ‘When The Saints Come Marching In’. Although all players and the lovely Sarah were great the real steal of the show was Sticky Wicket and his drumnastics. Brilliant. See you again I hope.
2 November 2025 – Keith Little’s Red Hot & Blue: The was a premier performance by this band, although we know each of the musicians from other arrangements. Keith Little (leader) plays the piano, Zoltan Sagi plays clarinet & saxophone, Rachel Hayward plays guitar and Bill Lynn completes the quartet on double bass. The opening number was ‘Bourbon Street Parade’. This was followed by ‘Pennies From Heaven’, ‘Moonglow’, ‘When You’re Smiling’, ‘If I Had You’, ‘Stardust’, ‘Lullaby’, ‘All Of Me’, ‘C Jam Blues’, a piano boogie number, ‘Si Tu Vois Ma Mere’, ‘Crazy Rhythm’, ‘Ain’t Misbehaving’, ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘S’Wonderful’. An enthusiastic audience sprung to their feet at the conclusion of the show to express their appreciation of a great Sunday concert. Hope to see you again people.