Tame Valley Stompers – 29 May 2022: Unfortunately the Band Leader, Norman Pennington, was in hospital. However the show still hit the road with Roger Wimpenny on trumpet (and humour), Paul Broomhead on reeds, Terry Brunt on trombone, Peter Smith on bass guitar and John Gordon on banjo and guitar. Their opening number was ‘Just a Little While to Stay Here’. Some others during the gig included: ‘Night on the Delta’, ‘Petit Fleur’, ‘All of Me’, ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got that Swing’, ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, ‘St James’s Infirmary’, ‘The Stevedore Stomp’ and ‘Canal Street Blues’. They ended with ‘The Royal Telephone Line’. Roger was in ‘fine fettle’ with his lovely sense of humour having the audience chuckling in their seats. See you again soon I’m sure.
As this was the last concert of the season, with the exception of the free concert on Saturday 4 June to celebrate HM The Queen’s platinum jubilee, tokens of thanks for all their invaluable service were given to Julie and Martin from the Sunset Café and a box of chocolates for the lovely ladies behind the bar.
The County Darts fixture list had only been received on Friday 27 May and apart from letting you know that the season for 22/23 will start on Sunday 4 September with Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band, and that bands like Wabash Jazzmen featuring Nick Ward, Chicago Teddybears Society Jazzband, Savannah Jazz Band, Sax Shack Big Band, Richard Leach’s Street Band, the Jake Leg Jug Band and Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants have provisionally agreed to come, I can let you know that there will be no jazz on 2 October, 11 December, 26 September, 5 February 2023, 5 March 2023 and 16 April 2023 I can give you no further information. We will ensure that a full gig list is made available as soon as Nick can put everything in place. Keep an eye on our website for a full programme.
Max Debon’s Debonaires Little Big Band – 22 May 2022: It was lovely to see this little big band back with us. Led by Max Debon (trumpet) the following players were: Sarah Eastwood (vocals and clarinet), Rick Halliwell (alto sax), Anne Holder (tenor sax), Austin Ralphson (trombone), Pete Wilson (piano), Peter ‘Pedro’ Robinson (bass) and Rob Turner (drums). The opening number was ‘Sing Sing Sing’ which set the mood for the next two hours. In no particular order the following numbers were played ‘The Folks Who Live on The Hill’, ‘Don’t Get Around Much Any More’, ‘I’m Beginning to See The Light’, ‘Fever’, ‘Come to the Cabaret’, ‘My Heart Belongs to Daddy’, ‘You’ve Gotta See Moma Every Night or You Can’t see Moma At All’ and ‘Midnight in Moscow’. It was good to see and hear this popular band and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future.
Sheila Fawkes’ Café Orchestra – 15 May 2022: It was good to see this band back in action again with everyone fit and well. There was George Huxley on reeds, Mike Owen on trombone, Tim McGrath on guitar/banjo, Mark Johnson on bass, Andy Lowe on drums, Gary Bell on trumpet, Terry McGrath on trombone/saxophone and the always lovely songster, Sheila Fawkes. They opened up with ‘Crazy Rhythym’ and went on with numbers such as ‘If I Could Be With You’, ‘All That I Ask From You Is Love’, ‘Stardust’, ‘Petit Fleur’, ‘Lover Come Back To Me’, ‘The Folks Who Live on The Hill’, ‘Happy Feet’, ‘I’m Coming Virginia’, ‘I Hate to See the Evening Sun Go Down’ and ‘I’m a Little Blackbird’ to name but a few. The balloons overhead were remnants of decorations the previous day and were a tribute to Ukraine, the winning country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Pedigree Jazz Band’s ‘Salute to Trad Jazz’ – 8 May 2022: This Band is an old favourite of SJS and indeed we will be seeing it again at our free concert on Saturday 4 June to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Leader, Chris Walker, plays clarinet, Tony Mann on the trombone, Andy Chislett on trumpet and flugelhorn, John Noddings on banjo and guitar, Sy Gorelick on drums and Colin Cooper on double bass. Their opening number was ‘Bourbon Street Blues’ which set the pace for the rest of the show. Some of their other numbers included ‘Livery Street Blues’, ‘Martinique’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’, ‘It’s At Times Like That’, ‘Creole Love Call’, ‘Blueberry Hill’, ‘The William Tell Overture’, ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and ‘You’re gonna See Baby Tonight or you can’t see Baby at all’. In recognition of the crisis in Ukraine there was a beautiful rendition of ‘Hymn to Freedom’. The finishing number was the ever green ‘Midnight in Moscow’. All around the room people’s toes were tapping to the beat and smiles on everyone’s faces. Simply a lovely concert.
Baby Jools’ Jazzaholics – 1 May 2022: The Band consisted of Baby Jools on drums (also leader), Karl Hird on reeds, Kevin Grenfell on trombone, Warren James on guitar/banjo, ‘Lord’ Jim Swinnerton on double bass and ‘Magic’ Mike Henry on trumpet (ex-Chris Barber band). Immediately you can see how much talent was available for the concert. They opened with a rousing ‘Alexander’s Jazztime Band’, went on with several numbers such as ‘Careless Love’ and ‘Jambalaya’ and ‘Sheik of Araby. Once in the first half of the concert and once in the second half of the concert Jim on double bass and Warren James on his banjo got together to give us skiffle music, such as Lonnie Donegan played, and which although originating in the USA came over to the UK and went underground in jazz venues. There is only one word for these pieces – FABULOUS. The room was rocking and such energy you could have burnt lights on those listening. Amongst other numbers were ‘Who’s Sorry Now’, ‘Rock Island Line’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and finishing with a trumpet solo by Mike ‘New Orleans’. What a concert, simply smashing and hitting all the right notes for a very appreciative audience who leapt to their feet at the conclusion. See you all again soon I hope.