Farnborough Jazz Club

I promised to give you the line-up of the musicians who played in the Limehouse Jazz Band, who were touring from Holland (with us on 22 January). However, again I need to deal with this next week-sorry.

Barry Grommet’s New Orleans Heat, as promised, was a huge success last Friday (29 January). Again, plenty of dancing, lots of laughter and a good time was had by all. 7 May 2010 will be their next date with us, so put it in your diary.

Dennis Armstrong’s Great Northern Jazz Band is with us tomorrow, Friday. 5 February and just to get your mouth watering, here is the band’s line-up:

Dennis Armstrong - cornet/vocals Peter Curtis - clarinet/alto sax/vocals

John Howlett - trombone Malcolm Hogarth - piano

Andy Maynard - banjo Isabel Toner - string bass

Warren Latham - drums/vocals

So be there, yeah!

Diane & Keith.

P.S. Appearing on 12 February will be Mat Palmer’s Millennium Eagle Jazz Band, who are touring the South, down from the Midlands. Another one not to be missed (sorry, when are you getting a break from us-ha).

Last Friday, 22nd January, was a sell-out for the Limehouse Jazz Band, on tour from Holland.  Their last appearance at Farnborough was in February 2008.  Many faces from the past turned up, as well as our regulars and not-so-regulars, so perhaps you all remembered that night, or have encountered the “Limers” elsewhere.  There were so many happy faces and the dance floor was well used too.  Thank you to one and all, it was nice for the band members to have a full house.  Robert Duis, the band leader, was once again full of fun.  Everyone enjoyed the banter, especially his remark “stupid club” (always a compliment to be made fun of in such a way)!  We hope they will come back to play for us again soon.  Robert has an ambition to play at the famous 100 Club as he remembers, as a youth, seeing the performance of Humphrey Littleton there.  We certainly recommend the band, so if the 100 Club book them, please make a point of going, it would give Robert such a buzz.
For band line-up – see next week’s newsletter.
You are in for another great treat this coming Friday, 29 January, none other than Barry Grommet’s New Orleans Heat, a huge favourite of the club’s fans , so get there early, as we do have some reserved tables for long term ‘every week’ attendees).
 
Again, looking forward to seeing you for another great evening of jazz.
Diane & Keith.

Yes! We are on – no more white stuff!  Tonight, Friday 22^nd, we are proudly presenting The Limehouse Jazz Band, who are on tour from Holland. They appeared at our club 2yrs ago & were a great success. You gotta be there – you don’t want to be told ‘Oh did you miss a night!’ (quoting an old friend called Don!)

About last Friday: After two previous gig cancellations, we phoned around to as many people as possible (receiving lots of incoming calls too) to let you know we were to go ahead with the evening. Consequently, we had a good turn out, because you were all ‘chomping at the bit’ for some jazz and dancing, after being snowed in for so long! The band appearing was the ever popular Sussex Jazz Kings & we had a fabulous, long awaited evening. The band’s line up was; Dave Stradwick – Leader/Trumpet/Vocals, Bernard Stutt – Clarinet, Graham Wiseman – Trombone, John Hall – Drums, Peter Clancy – Bass/Sousaphone & Phil Durell – Banjo.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Diane & Keith

What with the rain today and the temperature rising, plus it is set to rise even more tomorrow (Friday 15^th), we feel sure the snow will have disappeared. Therefore, we have decided to go ahead with the club.

I phoned many of you to inform you again of the cancelled night last week, but then we had so many more of you phoning us, all suffering from withdrawal symptoms for some jazz. So we’re sure we will have a bumper night tomorrow. Just to remind you, we have Dave Stradwick’s Sussex Jazz Kings appearing, so wash out your glad-rags and get yourself down to Farnborough Jazz Club for some great music and dancing.

Diane & Keith

14^th January 2010

Regrettably, we have taken the decision (for only the 3rd time in 20yrs) to cancel this weeks club, thus missing Vintage Jazz.  Unfortunately, they are not with us again until 5th March.  The snow looks so pretty, but with icy conditions expected late at night, it would be silly to tempt you great jazzers out.  Most of you are ‘gung ho’ types and nothing much stops you venturing out, so with safety in mind and the thought of how many blankets needed, should you all be stuck over night at the club, we think it’s for the best.  Besides - don’t want any of you to know we both snore!

Please acknowledge you have seen this message & also pass it on to anyone you know that may have intended coming, thanks.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year, weather permitting, see you on the 15th for Sussex Jazz Kings.

From Diane & Keith.

After a great deal of thought and due to adverse weather conditions we have taken the disappointing decision to cancel tonights Christmas Party at the Farnborough Club.  Having phoned many people in outer Kent area’s we learnt that the majority are even now, unable to get out of ther drives, and more snow is due.  Keith and I, and the band are gungho and wanted to go ahead with tonight, however, we cannot allow the dangerous conditions you all might face, if you (band included) cannot get home.  So keep your sausage rolls till next year, have a good Christmas and see you on 8th January 2010.

Diane and Keith

Tonight is our Special Christmas party with The Original Eastside Stompers.  We are expecting to have a really great time, as always with Christmas. However, we are getting a little concerned about the snow here in London and Kent and it might be difficult for the band, as well as yourselves to get here.  Therefore, can you please phone 01689 603299 for an update to find out if it is on, or not.  I’m sorry, but I’m not sure if I can get a message on this email address, if it all happens too late in the day, but just in case, please keep an eye on here too.  Thanks.

Diane and Keith

Hi jazzers everywhere,

Two weeks ago, (20th November) we had a wonderful tribute evening for Jerry Card.   I have been unable to write before now, due to family commitments (and problems to do with dear friends too).   However, I really don’t wish the weeks to flash by and I haven’t written about that evening.   It was lovely to see Jerry Card’s wife, Patsy again and all the family (including two very young and pretty ladies, who were nieces, I believe).   Thank you to all of you for making that long journey.   The band were terrific with the line-up as previously listed.  They played with such fun, proving just how great musicians are when it comes to celebrating someone’s life.   Hope they will carry on this line-up and play for us again some time in the future.   So to all you fans, keep watching this space.

Then last Friday, (27th) we had Vintage Jazz.   We are sorry that Harry, a great clarinettist, has moved on, but what has happened, with John Lee on clarinet, we now have a different band.   So my message to all you fans out there, Vintage has had a new lease of life, playing different numbers (with the same dance tempos though).  So come on down and breathe in some of this new magic!!

We’re looking forward to listening to the YERBA BUENA CELEBRATION BAND this Friday, 4th December.   The expect line-up is:

Mike Barry on trumpet;  Graham Wiseman on Trombone;  Johnny Rogers on Reeds;  Dave Rance on drums;  John Arthey on sousaphone;  Peter Gregory on banjo and John Collinson on piano.

Start looking out soon for the listing showing some of the exciting bands we are trying to line up for next year too.  Just a snippet, January 22nd will see the return of that fantastic band we had in February 2008 from Holland.  They are the Limehouse Jazz Band.   Do you remember, their leader took the mickey out of me unmercifully ha ha.  This is a message to you Robert, not only have we entered the twenty-first century, but we have managed it before reaching the twenty-second one!!!  Not only do we have an email address (diane@farnboroughjazz.co.uk and keith@farnboroughjazz.co.uk) but we also have this website!!  AND NOT ONLY THAT, WE EVEN KNOW THE POST CODE OF THE HALL TOO (BR6 7BA).  Seriously Robert, we are looking forward to your presence and your lovely sense of humour.

Diane and Keith

Last Friday, 13th, Vintage Jazz were great, with the usual dancing.   The line-up included Alan Snook (trumpet), John Lee (clarinet & tenor sax), John Howlett (trombone), Brian ‘Dipper’ Duddy (drums), Terry Knight (bass) and Bill Stagg (banjo) - one of our regulars, Joyful, who plays banjo, had a gig elsewhere.   I am sure she will be very disappointed to have missed Bill.

Now it’s Terry’s turn to receive a boo from the audience as he is the new organiser for Vintage.  This lovely tradition of booing the Vintage Jazz organiser began way back in the Badgers Mount Hotel years and was started by our ‘mafia’ table for a laugh.   This was when Tony Scriven had the job and it has been passed down to each succeeding organiser.   It has been an endearing tradition and long may you reign Terry.

This Friday, 20th November, as already announced, we have our tribute to Jerry Card, who died a few weeks ago.  The expected line-up will be Dennis Armstrong (trumpet), Ian Turner (clarinet), John Howlett (trombone), Trefor Williams (bass), Andy Maynard (banjo) and Chris Marchant (drums).  You can look forward to having a spectacular night.

Diane & Keith.

Hi-de-hi campers.  I have very little time to compile this newsletter, so please bear with me.  Last week (6th November 2009), we had Washboard Sycopators, with the band’s line-up remaining the same as outlined in ‘Band Details’.  Once again, the guy’s were magic, Brian Giles in particular, who made it fun with his great vocalisation on the mike - he has a lovely sense of humour (and a lovely accent).   I think the band enjoyed themselves too.  We still need a bit more support from our regulars to keep going.   Nice to see Yvonne, Gary (celebrating his birthday) and Richard (recovering from a broken leg) return to the fold.

This Friday (lucky 13th) is Vintage Jazz night (dancing shoes will be worn).  Also, don’t forget, Friday-week (20th), will be The Jerry Card Tribute Band.  Jerry’s family may come, so it would be nice for them to see you turn up in your hordes.

Diane and Keith.