29 April – Tame Valley Stompers “Terry’s Dead Good Boys”: The band started, appropriately, with “April Showers”. The band consisted of Norman Pennington (drums and leader), Terry Brunt (trombone), Roger Wimpenny (trumpet), Paul Broomhead (reeds), Peter Smith (guitar) and John Gordon (banjo & guitar). The numbers included “Savoy Blues”, “When I’m with my Baby”, “You Belong to me”, “Stevedore Stomp” and “Royal Telephone Line”. A Good balanced programme played by skilled musicians who enjoy their music. SJS look forward to having them back again in the not too distant future.
22 April – Kevin Grenfell’s Slide by Slide: A concert that had it all … good music, good jokes and something for everyone. All musicians were skilled and enjoyed playing together. The music was varied and included numbers such as: “Going to New Orleans”, “Chico Chico”, “In a Persian Market”, “St James’s Infirmary”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Bye Bye Blackbird” and No Moon at All. The group played in trios, quartets and quintets, as required, and there was even a trombone ‘argument’ in “Back Home Again in Indiana”. Well done to one and all and we look forward to you coming back.
15 April – Matt Palmer’s Rhythmic Reeds featuring Christine Tyrrell: A band created by Matt as a platform to get Christine singing once more in Stafford, this band consists of Matt Palmer (reeds) as leader, George Huxley (reeds), Mark Challinor (guitar, banjo and ukelele), Brian Lawrence (bass) and SJS Musician of the Year Nick Ward (drums). Some of the numbers: "Cake Walkers", "Dr Jazz", “Somerset”, “China Town”,“ At the Mardi Gras”,“ Weary Blues”, “Dans La Rue d’Antibes” and “What the Lord Has Done for Me”, to mention but a few. Feet were tapping, hands were clapping and everyone had a great two hours.
8 April – Chase Jazzmen: This is a traditional band whose repertoire is drawn from the early half of the 20th century. Tony Billingsley (trumpet) leads with Dave Deakin (trombone), Corman Loane (reeds), Jim Harney (drums) and Dave Boxold (guitar and banjo). Tunes included “When You’re Smiling”, “I Scream (Ice Cream?) You Scream”, “A Kiss to Build a Dream on”, “King of the Swingers”, “Sweet Sue”, “Stranger on the Shore” and “Down the Mississippi”.
1 April – Matt Palmer’s Aces of Rhythm: This five-piece band thrives on music from the 1920s. Chris Mercer (cornet), David Kimmins (banjo & guitar), Doug White (double bass & sousaphone) and Joe Nutman on piano join leader Matt Palmer (reeds) for a classy sound. Sadly missed by myself but all reports indicated a good concert which was well received by SJS.