Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz & Boogie Band – 30 October 2022: What a brilliant band this was. Leader – Jeremy Huggett – usually known for his reeds was on keyboard and wow could he boogie. Along with Jeremy were Alex Clarke (saxophones), Kevin Grenfell (trumpet, trombone and vocals), Mike Green on bass and Steve Street on drums. Their opening number was ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Aint Got that Swing’. Various titles, selected randomly from the concert were: ‘ Hello How Do You Do?”, “Indiana”, “Some Day You’ll be Sorry”, “I’m confessing that I Love You”, “I’m Walking”, “Any Time You Feel Downhearted”, “My Blue Heaven” and a fantastic performance of “A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On”. There were grins from ear to ear on faces as people staggered out of the Club at the end of an amazing performance. I am not the only one who can hardly wait to hear them again.
(Sorry folks – no iPad, no phone and so no pictures of the lovely Andy Leggett’s Centenary Serenaders).
Andy Leggett’s Centenary Serenaders – 23 October 2022: This Band had the pleasure of playing on the 41st anniversary of Stafford Jazz Society, and they did us pround. Kerry Williams (trumpet), Dave Deakin (trombone), Rachel Hayward (guitar/banjo), Bill Frampton (bass), Dave Andrews (drums) and Andy Leggett – leader – on clarinet/soprano sax/alto sax and tenor sax played their socks off. Their opening number was ‘Black Cat on the Fence’ and the programme throughout included numbers such as ‘Everywhere You Go (Sunshine Follows You)’, ‘The Savoy Blues’, The Coffee Grinder (also known as the Rubber plant Rag in New Orleans)’, You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now’, ‘Poncho Train’, ‘Jacqueline’, ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, ‘Breeze Blow My Baby Back to Me’ and ‘Halleluja’. Great sound, great playing – we look forward to them coming back soon.
Mike Owen’s Scarlette’s Serenaders – 16 October 2022: This band is always welcome in Stafford. The band consists of Mike Owen (leader) on trombone, Sarah Spencer on reeds and vocals, Ian Wynne on piano, Nick Ward on percussion and Richard Vernon on bass. Sadly Christine Tyrrell who was due to guest with them had to cry off as she was unwell. The band opened with ‘All I Do is Dream of You’ and went on to include ‘Memories’, ‘Absolutely Positively’, ‘Tie Me To Your Apron String Again’, ‘Don’t Tell Jesus’, ‘Pay Day Blues’ and one with a real long title – ‘If That Isn’t Love it’ll Just have to do Until the Real Thing comes Along’. I loved every minute of the show and look forward to seeing them back at the White Eagle Club next year.
Chicago Teddybears Society Jazzband – 9 October 2022: It was lovely to see this favourite band back with us once more. There was Rae Owens (leader) on banjo and guitar, Jim Lucas on trumpet, John Padfield on reeds, Andrew McKenzie on trombone, Dean Revera on brass and Brian Singleton on drums. Some of the numbers they played included ‘Dr Jazz’, ‘China Boy’, ‘Canal Street Blues’, My Blue Heaven’, ‘Sunday’, ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, ‘Indiana’ and ‘Everybody Loves My Baby but My Baby Don’t Love Nobody But Me’ and ‘The Muskrat Ramble’. Such music, such musicianship, such a lovely time had by all.