23 February 2025 – Bill Bailey All-Stars: This band is led by trumpeter Richard “Bill” Bailey and he described his band’s style as happy, foot-tapping, cheerful music for any occasion and he was spot on. He was joined on stage by Roger Keay on saxophone, Dave Deakin on trombone and sousaphone, Peter “Pedro” Robinson on banjo and guitar, Steve Peters on string bass and once more Keith Chaplin on drums. They opened with ‘At The Jazz Band Ball’ and this was followed by ‘Indiana’, ‘Trouble In Mind’, ‘Moon Over Naples (which I know as Spanish Eyes), ‘I’ve Found A New Baby’, ‘Satin Doll’, ‘China Girl’, ‘My Little Suede Shoes’’, ‘In The Mood’, ‘Tequila’, ‘Lester Leaps In’, ‘Suki Yaki’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’, ‘Raining In My Heart’, ‘Downtown Strutters Ball’, ‘When The Saints Come Marching In’, ‘Idle Moments’ and ended with ‘The Royal Garden Blues’. Along with the foot-tapping I distinctly heard the sound of people humming or joining in quietly with the numbers which most of us recognised immediately. Not only did Bill give us some vocal renditions but he also gave us a bit of light hearted humour and some interesting facts throughout the concert which went down well.
16 February 2025 – Dave Harmer’s New Orleans Hotshots: This traditional New Orleans style band is led by Dave Harmer on trombone, with Dave Leithead on trumpet and vocals, Kelvin Smith on reeds, Al Harris on string bass and vocals, Keith Chaplin on drums and the incomparable Joe Nutman on piano. They opened with ‘Georgia Camp Meeting’ and went on with ‘Up A Lazy River’, ‘Mr Sandman’, ‘Basin Street Blues’, the first of two Scott Joplin rags by Joe, ‘Deed I Do’, ‘New Orleans’, ‘Nagasaki’, ‘Marching Through Georgia’, ‘Brother Can You Spare A Dime’, ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing’, ‘The Gypsy’, ‘Me and Jane in a Plane’, the second Scott Joplin Rag by Joe, ‘Old Rockin’ Chair’ and finally ‘Dr Jazz’. Terrific programme and the band was well received. Looking forward to their next visit.
9 February 2025 – Bob Dwyer’s Celebrity Six: This band comprises Bob Dwyer (leader) on trombone, Jon Penn on piano, Marc Easener on sousaphone, Nick Ward on vintage percussion, Matt Palmer on reeds and in place of Malcolm Walton was Gary Wood on trumpet and vocals. They opened with ‘Indiana’ and went on with ‘South’, ‘Wolverine Blues’, ‘Bad Penny Blues’, ‘Davenport Blues’, ‘S’Wonderful’, ‘All Alone’, ‘Weary Blues’, ‘Undecided’, ‘Apex Blues’, ‘Mr Joe (previously called Buffalo Blues), ‘Purdido Blues’, ‘When You’re Smiling’, ‘Royal Garden Blues’ and finished with ‘So Do I’. Who knew there were so many tunes under the title ‘blues’!!! Altogether a very good concert which was well received. We look forward to their next visit.
2 February 2025 – No Concert