Farnborough Jazz Club

“Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces” are here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent on, Friday 18^th May 2012.  This 7-pce band is extremely popular, so be sure to get here early. The members in the band are the same as their last appearance on 6^th January 2012, i.e.:

Bob Dwyer – leader, trombone

Max Emons – trumpet/harmonica/vocals

Duncan Hemstock – clarinet/tenor sax

Hugh Crozier - piano

Nick Singer – banjo/vocals

John Bayne - double bass/bass sax

Laurie Chesco – drums

Great music from great musicians, great atmosphere, great dancing and great bar!  What more do you want to relax from all those stresses.  What stresses I hear you say, oh well can’t be any for at least Friday evening.  The place is usually full of smiling faces, laughter and relaxation.

Last week, Friday, 11^th May 2012, ‘Vintage Jazz’ was with us. I did mention it was the penultimate evening of Vintage Jazz’s appearance.  They do have one or two other gigs to honour elsewhere, but last Friday was the last gig with us.  I also mentioned 25 years with us; yes I exaggerated, being actually 22 years (every other week) appearing at Farnborough, which is quite a long time.  Last Friday was very emotional for Keith and I, but I am pleased to say the evening was a great one.  It is always sad to let go after such a long time.  We would like to say a fond farewell and in particular to Brian ‘Dipper’ Duddy, who is always full of fun. You shall always remain in our thoughts ‘Dipper’ and we ALL wish you well.  The guys in the band were Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on clarinet and sax, John Finch on trombone, Colin Scudamore on banjo (Colin was the last original player in the band), Gerry Ingrams on double bass and Doug Higgins on drums.  Don’t forget, I have every intention of sorting out this website out, to enable us to have photos and videos of the music played at the club, so be patient.  Meanwhile, please send any photos, videos and anecdotes of ‘Vintage Jazz’ to my email address: diane@farnboroughjazz.co.uk thanks.

Last of all, Keith and I wish to say to all the musicians who have played with ‘Vintage Jazz’, you are always welcome at the club as our guest, plus all the very best for the future – keep on smiling.

Diane and Keith

This Friday, 11^th May 2012, with ‘Vintage Jazz’ being their penultimate appearance with us, we would very much like as many of you as possible to turn up to give them a good time, by showing your appreciation of their entertaining music.  Good dancing tempo is their speciality, so we know you will enjoy yourselves too.  Appearing in the band is to be Barry Palser on trombone, Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on reeds, Hugh Crosier on piano, Gerry Ingrams on double bass and Keith Brown on drums, so see you Friday.

As for last Friday, 4^th May 2012, ‘George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars’, well another great evening ensued.  George is such a fabulous personality, with his great jokes (some silly, but fun).  The evening was another unknown quantity for attendance, being it was the ‘Spring Bank Holiday’ Friday.  We were aware of many of our regulars (particularly dancers) were going to be away.  However, with our nucleus of occasional visitors, several turned up out of the blue, plus lots of new people too.  The band was wonderful, i.e. George on trombone/vocals, Denny Illett on trumpet, Tim Huskisson on clarinet, John Syrett on double bass, Bill Finch on drums and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt on banjo/vocals.  George even got out the washboard, complete with cymbals, rasps and honking horn to ‘Coney Island Washboard He Will Play’’.  This is the song where everyone in the audience (when the words “make a noise” are sung) will jump up with their hands in the air and shout “Make a Noise”, which is all a bit of fun.  I was enjoying the evening so much, I forgot to make a note of the numbers played, but a couple I recall were ‘Hiawatha Rag’ and ‘When I Grow Too Old to Dream’.  We are so lucky to have some of the Country’s top celebrity musicians playing at the club (International ones too).  One day I shall make sure we have everyone’s background listed on the individual ‘band’ pages, including photos/videos and recordings (well, hopefully before I ‘kick the bucket’ that is!)

Diane and Keith

‘George ‘Kid’ Tidiman’s All Stars’ is back with us this Friday, 4^th May 2012.  with George on trombone/vocals, Denny Illett on trumpet, Tim Huskisson on clarinet, John Syrett on double bass, Bill Finch on drums (yes, he was with last weeks band) and ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt on banjo/vocals.  Oh wow, I can smell another brilliant evening emerging.  Get those glad rags and dancing shoes on, come out of the woodwork and join us for some fun.  You can certainly look forward to plenty of great entertainment.  See previous write-ups to refresh your memory in ‘Newsletter about 15&22apr2011’, ‘Newsletter about 1,8&15July2011’ and ‘Newsletter about 9&16Sept2011’.

Last week, Friday, 27^th April 2012 was FAB-U-LOUS, with a good attendance!  Chez Chesterman’s Band of Brothers played for the first time, although, the legendary great George Webb was the bands original leader.  They played at our club for many years, especially for my birthdays.  In fact, all the band members have played for us at one time or another (being great ‘pros’) with different bands (including our previous club in Badgers Mount).  Last Friday was such fun, with (as announced last week) those in the band consisted of Chez on trumpet, plus John Howlett on trombone, John Crocker on reeds, Roy James on guitar, Andy Lawrence on double bass and Bill Finch on drums. They started the evening by playing ‘’Old Miss Rag’.  What a number!  Also part of their repertoire was ‘I Found a New Baby’ (with fantastic solos from each of the players).  John Crocker played solo on tenor sax to ‘All of Me’ and what a performance that was.  Chez sang ‘Freight train, freight train’, but with different (cheeky) words - he is such a laugh.  What a happy and successful evening it was, with plenty of dancing as usual.

Diane & Keith

‘Chez Chesterman’s Band of Brothers’ are appearing at Farnborough Jazz Club for the first time on Friday, 27^th April 2012.  The musicians will be Chez on trumpet, John Crocker on clarinet, John Howlett on trombone, Roy James on guitar, Andy Lawrence on double bass and Bill Finch on drums.  I hope to return to produce a page about these wonderful musicians, but I’m sure you all know them anyway.  We’re looking forward to another special evening, so please come and join us.

‘Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band’ performed for us last Friday, 20th April 2012 and as predicted, we had a brilliant turnout.  The band were terrific, with Laurie on drums,  Allan Bradley (aka Lord Arsenal) on trumpet, Duncan Hemstock on reeds, Dave Hewitt on trombone, Colin Bray on piano, Jim Douglas on banjo and Peter Skivington on bass.  Where do I begin? First of all, the band arrived at 3.00pm to rehearse some numbers for a CD they are about to record ‘live’ at Keswick Jazz Festival (Rawnsley Hall on Friday, 4^th May 2012, 3.00-5.30pm).  You would not believe they had been playing all afternoon, because they were all fresh as daisies throughout the evening (I just had a chuckle thinking of them as daisies – sorry boys).  Anyway, during the course of the evening, they played one of these numbers.  It was a Bing Crosby number called ‘Let a Smile be your Umbrella’ and I have a feeling it will become a great hit for the band.  Keith and I just adored it and so did the audience.  Some of the other numbers played were ‘Fidgety Feet’, ‘Up a Lazy River’, ‘Taint what you do; it’s the way that you do it’ and ‘Exactly like you’.  A great special was when they played ‘I know where I’m going’.  Colin Bray changed to soprano sax, with Lord Arsenal swapping to piano and the front line played a section together, solo - fantastic.  Colin also played a lovely piano solo, but didn’t catch the name (I will come back with the name later). It always amazes us how talented and versatile these musicians are.  Jim Douglas also gave a marvellous solo number on guitar called ‘I’m Putting all my Eggs in One Basket’, accompanied by Peter on bass guitar (plus Colin and Laurie).  I must also mention that genius reeds player, Duncan Hemstock (a young Ausie with a great sense of humour).  Duncan played solo to ‘Bei Mir Bistu Shein’ and how he played it - wowie.  He is a very exciting musician. We are so glad that many of you were there to hear them and supporting us too.   Anyway, please make a note of their next date with us, which is 21 September 2012.

Just a footnote to ‘Lord Arsenal’, Keith has re-named you ‘Lord Charlton’.  Allan is an avid Charlton FC supporter (me being the other – no, I think the ol’ joke about the tandem waiting outside the ground for the next away game is definitely wrong with Charlton going up to the Premiership next season though!  The next thing I’ll know will be Dick Waterhouse from Sidcup Jazz Club turning up to beat me up, he used to be a boxer (Dick, it would be nice to see you and Sheila though).

Now back to jazz, remember, if you are feeling a little bit fed up with all this rain, we do need it, but to buck you up, come over to the jazz club and cheer yourselves up with plenty of dancing, chatting and drinking, you wont feel blue (at least during the evening) at all.

Diane and Keith

On Friday, 20th April 2012, we certainly have a treat in store for you in the shape of ‘Laurie Chescoe’s Reunion Band’.  The band obviously has Laurie on drums, with Lord Arsenal on trumpet, Duncan Hemstock on reeds, Dave Hewitt on trombone, Colin Bray on piano, Jim Douglas on banjo and Peter Skivington on bass.  What a line-up!  They will definitely ‘bring the house down’, so you really cannot miss it!  I’m sure we will be packed to the gunnels, because ‘jazzers’ will know a great line-up when they see one.  So don’t be late.

On Friday, 13th April 2012, ‘Vintage Jazz’ certainly came back with a vengeance, playing their socks off.  They are aware they are fading as ‘Vintage Jazz’, but that didn’t show.  We had a much better audience count and they all enjoyed themselves, with plenty of dancing as usual.  Ann came too, confirming dear ‘Dipper’ will not be playing again – we shall miss you ‘Dipper’.  However, the musicians were Barry Palser on trombone, Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on clarinet and sax, Hugh Crozier on piano, Gerry Ingrams on double bass and Keith Brown on drums.  They certainly entertained us (with a big ‘E’), playing such numbers as ‘Stevadore Stomp’ and ‘Algiers Strut, plus a charming number Keith and I haven’t heard, called ‘Come Back Sweet Papa’.  Hugh sang and played ‘Miss Otis Regrets’, ‘The Pearl’ (Jelly Roll Morton) and ‘Pine Tops’.  I danced most of the evening, so probably shifted the pounds gained through eating delightful eggs made of chocolate! (a good job we only eat them once a year).  The band returns here on 11th May 2012, which will be their ‘swan song’ at Farnborough as ‘Vintage Jazz’.

As an add-on, a humorous situation occurred that evening.  We had a first-time visitor to the club, who told me he had arrived early, but was unable to find us and had actually gone into The Woodman Pub next door.  He commented to someone having a drink, “Not many people here!”  I laughingly said “They must have thought you were a nutcase”.  He said he then approached the bar and said “I have to pay you £8, don’t I?” to which he was told he must want the jazz club next door – “They are all loony there”, which did make us laugh (we do know them in the pub, so know it was said in fun).

Diane and Keith

‘Vintage Jazz’ will be appearing here on Friday, 13^th April 2012.  Those appearing in the band will be Barry Pulsar on trombone, Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on clarinet, Hugh Crozier on piano, Gerry Ingrams on double bass, Colin Scudamore on banjo and Doug on drums.  Are you ready for some dancing?  Then why not make your way to us in Farnborough, Kent and enjoy the happy ambience of our club.

‘The Original Eastside Stompers’ were with us on Good Friday, 6 April 2012.  We were unsure what sort of turn out we would have, being it was Easter with some of the regulars away.   Even the band had a couple of dep’s, but what dep’s - Roger Curphey on double bass and Chris Marchant on drums.  Roger (with us the week before) was wonderful as usual.  What a great ‘engine driver’ he is for any band.  Then Chris on drums, Keith always appreciates another drummer and he (and I) certainly appreciated Chris, some fabulous drum solos.  The rest of the band also had some wonderful solos and vocals and collectively, they were great, with John Shepherd on trumpet, John Howlett on trombone, ‘Romantic Ronnie’ Findon on clarinet and Brian “Toes” Laurence on banjo.  An extremely enjoyable sound was produced by these lovely guys, with such songs as ‘Blue, turning grey over you’, ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’, plus ‘When I grow too old to dream’ and ‘Sit right down and write myself a letter’ (both sung by John Shepherd).  Also ‘Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans’ and ‘Stevadore Stomp’.  All thoroughly enjoyable.

Diane and Keith

Good Friday, 6 April 2012, we have ‘The Original Eastside Stompers’ to entertain you.  The boys in the band are to be John Howlett on trombone, John Shepherd on trumpet, ‘Romantic Ronnie’ Findon on clarinet & vocals, Roger Curphey on double bass, Chris Marchant on drums and Brian “Toes” Laurence on banjo. We know a few of you are away for Easter (even though you didn’t give us notes from your mums!), but lots of you will not be away, so why don’t you start your weekend holiday with some jazz, you may even win an Easter Egg in the raffle.

We had a super evening, on Friday, 30^th March 2012, with ‘Mike Barry’s Uptown Gang’.  The turn-out was much better this week, which always adds to an atmosphere.  Mike (trumpeter) leads this thoroughly professional band with such panache – choosing songs to suit the band to a ‘T’.  He has a lovely voice and sang ‘Let me be the one who’s Loving You’.  Goff Dubber (clarinet/saxes) also sang beautifully with ‘Music to Love to’ and fun–loving ‘Whispering Mike’ Holt (trombone) sang (or whispered) ‘Am I Blue’, don’t you just love him.  As for Tim Huskisson, what can we say about his performance?  We usually hear Tim playing clarinet, but he far excelled himself on piano, but I suppose it’s much easier to carry a clarinet to a gig (I was always looking for a piccolo player when ‘roadieing’ for Keith on drums).  So Tim, we are so delighted to have experienced hearing you play piano.  Another number to mention is ‘Marmalade’, in which Graham Callicotte gave a great rendition on drums – brilliant.  Of course Roger Curphey (double bass) is a great favourite of Keith and I.  He is an old friend who played in Keith’s band.  Roger is so talented, being able to play in every genre, from jazz to rock – and beyond!  I am not always able to recall numbers, too busy dancing to them, but one number I especially remembered dancing to was ‘Good morning, good morning’ (from that fabulous film ‘Singing in the Rain’). Having half staggered back to my seat, I thought ‘I am certainly no Debbie Reynolds’ (well I am twice the age she was in the film – hey, do I hear you sniggering!   Anyway, please make a note of their next date here, which will be 2^nd November 2012, plus Mike will also be back on 15^th June 2012, with his ‘XXL Band’. Guess why he has thus called the band?

Diane & Keith

On Friday, 30^th March 2012, Mike Barry’s Uptown Gang will be here at Farnborough to entertaining us (tonight).  The band will consist of leader Mike (trumpet/vocals), Goff Dubber (clarinet/vocals), ‘Whispering’ Mike Holt (trombone/vocals), Tim Huskisson (piano), Roger Curphey (string bass) and Graham Collicott (drums/washboard).  There is plenty of parking space, friendly bar staff, plus a dance floor.  Don’t forget, dancing is very good for losing weight.  I’m sure if it wasn’t for my dancing, I would be known as the original Ten-Ton-Tessie.  We all have so much fun – why not come and join us.  You don’t have to be jazz lovers to enjoy the social side.

Friday 23^rd March 2012, we welcomed The Mahogany Hall Stompers back to Farnborough (Kent).  They were a little bit ‘quiet’ to begin with, as once again we had a smallish audience, although a little better than last week.  But in no time at all, these quality musicians showed us their ‘stuff’.  Brian Giles (leader) on trumpet was just great (plus with the jokes in his lovely Yorkshire accent), Tim Huskison who played a ‘mean’ clarinet/sax, Rex Odell played wonderful trombone, ‘Southend Bob’ Albut played a powerful banjo, Eddy Johnson’s lovely smooth string bass and Chris Marchant on exciting drums. The guys were super, luring plenty of dancers onto the floor.  Here is just a sample of the numbers they played: ‘Hiawatha Rag’ (which was just fabulous), Rex sung a couple of numbers in which he performed a wonderful impersonation of the great ‘Satchmo’ Louis Armstrong, namely ‘Kiss to Build a Dream On’ (by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby & Oscar Hammerstein II in 1935) and ‘When you’re smiling’ (to which Brian played brilliant tenor sax).  Bob, who has a marvellous rich tenor sounding voice, sang ‘You make me happy’ and ‘You came along from out of no-where’.  Chris performed super drum solos in ‘Hindustan’ and ‘Mahogany Hall Stomp’. New Orleans/Traditional/Dixieland Jazz is such a happy sound and is my description of our evenings, wonderfully happy evenings.  I cannot understand why we are not turning people away in their thousands (queuing up the high street) being too full, hmmm!

Diane & Keith

This Friday 23^rd March 2012, our band will be the Mahogany Hall Stompers.  This lovely band consists of Brian Giles (leader) on trumpet, Brian Hart on clarinet/sax, Rex Odell on trombone, ‘Southend Bob’ Albutt on banjo, Eddy Johnson on bass and Chris Marchant on drums.  We always have a happy time with this band, so get your dancing shoes on and join us where Brian and band will blow all your cares away!

On Friday, 16^th March 2012, ‘Vintage Jazz’ played for us.  Sad to say, our audience was somewhat depleted, so it was very hard for the band to perform with knowledge of the band’s demise (please go to page ‘About Vintage Jazz’ for full story).  However, they were wonderful.  Barry Palser (trombone), with his usual humour and ‘up-front’ chat, Dave Stradwick (deping on trumpet) being ‘back home’, John Lee, a master of sax & clarinet, Colin Scudamore, one of the best banjoists in jazz, Doug Higgins on drums and Gerry Ingrams on double bass, they managed to make the evening swing.  Some of the numbers they played included ‘There’s Yes, Yes in your eyes’ and ‘I’ve got a little girl to call my own’ (both sung by Barry), ‘Down by de Swannee River’ (John playing a great solo on tenor sax) plus Georgia on my mind’ (a great Hoagie Carmichael number).  Our Keith (Grant) ‘sat in’ on drums to ‘Royal Garden Blues’, to which Keith lost a stick and played with one hand (which was a slight improvement - he he, sorry Keith) and ‘Tin Roof Blues’.  Just another lovely one to mention was ‘Mood Indigo’.  Sadly, the last two gigs Vintage Jazz will appear at Farnborough Jazz Club (Kent) are to be 13^th April and 11^th May 2012.

We at Farnborough Jazz Club send our love to you Dipper and very much so to you too Ann, who has soldiered on, keeping the band together through this difficult time.  We do hope you will both venture up to the club to see us as our guests. 

Diane and Keith

Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent

Friday, 16^th March 2012 we have Vintage Jazz appearing at Farnborough.  They are always known to be a good dancing band.  The lads in the band will be Barry Palser on trombone, Dave Stradwick on trumpet (will be nice to see you again Dave), John Lee on clarinet/sax, Colin Scudamore, on banjo, Doug Higgins on drums and Gerry Ingrams on double bass.  Come on all you ‘Vintage’ fans, show them you love them.

 Friday, 9^th March 2012, we presented ‘Barry Palser’s All Stars’.  Trombonist Barry is one hell of a guy.  With his great personality, he gets the best musicians wanting to play with him (hmmm).  One of these fabulous stars was John Crocker, clarinettist with the Chris Barber Band for many years.  Was he every bit a star too, playing solo numbers, such as ‘Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans’ and ‘After you’ve gone’.  Another star was Vic Pitt, who also played with Chris Barber for many years.  Without mentioning anyone else, we were onto a winner, but then the other stars were brilliant too.  Gary Wood was on trumpet (& what a trumpeter), plus an old friend of ours, John Stuart on banjo and last, but by no means least, John Tyson was on drums. Once again I asked if Vic and John would play ‘Big noise from Winnetka’ and just like the original players (the great Bob Haggart and Ray Baduk) John used sticks on the strings of Vic’s double bass.  You just have to sample that number from them.  Other numbers the band played included ‘Sweet Lorraine’ and ‘Nagasaki’ (Barry sang both numbers).  Also ‘Nobody cares when you’re down and out’ (sung by Gary).   Everybody left this fantastic evening ‘on a high’, all with smiles beaming from ear-to-ear.  We are pleased to tell you they will be back at Farnborough on Friday, 20^th July 2012.

Keep supporting us, so we can carry on supplying ‘crème de la crème’ bands.  Thanks.

Diane & Keith