Farnborough Jazz Club

I am a little late with my newsletter this week, due mainly to preparing for Keith’s Art Exhibition this coming Sunday (12^th September 2010).  However, I will start with how last Friday (3^rd) went with ‘Vintage Jazz’.  First of all, our England football team was playing a World qualifying Cup game against Bulgaria.  I, amazingly, made another faux par!  I kindly announced the result of the match at the end of the evening!  I am so sorry Peter and anyone else who had recorded the game to watch later and yes, I know, we suggested that everyone do that too.  This old biddy will have to be given the sack, but then I’m not going to sack myself – am I.  Anyways, I shan’t do that again (my list of ‘don’t do’s’ is growing by the minute!).

Back to jazz matters; in all honesty, it was not Vintage’s best evening.  With the ‘thin on the ground’ audience (and some of those were first-timers), the band was feeling the pressure.  Some of you stalwart ‘Vintage’ fans made an effort to come, but not all of you.  They do need you to support them.  They were beginning to really blossom again, so please don’t let them down.  Their next gig is on 1^st October.

Oh yes, Georgie’s back!  Tonight (10^th September) is the wonderful George Tidiman’s All Stars who is back again.  They were last here on 4^th June.  See my comments in the newsletter on 9^th June2010, as to  just how fantastic they were that night.  I know you will be here tonight.  This time, the line-up will be: George on trombone & vocals, Denny Illet (trumpet), Tim Husskison (clarinet), Bill Finch (drums), Trefor Williams (double bass) and Gentleman Jim McIntosh (banjo) – love it!

Diane & Keith

P.S.  Thank you for all of the comments received on the website.  I am on a very busy schedule at the moment to appreciate your comments, or to weed out the ’spammers’, who just want to advertise themselves (or even laughing at my naivety).  However, for all of you who are truly genuinely complimenting my writing, let me say that I do not have any other source other than Keith and my jazz club and perhaps a lifetime of loving music.  Sometimes I ‘lift’ a musician’s own details from their website.  Soon, I will learn to know about the engines of the Internet and until then, please accept my apologies for the lack of response on my behalf to your questions.  It is obvious that most of you are abroad, so would probably never visit the jazz club, the main reason for this website, but if you enjoy my writing - that’s great. Sincerely Diane.

P.P.S.  Don’t forget Keith’s art exhibition celebrating 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain (see last entry) Sunday 12 September, 2010 starting 12noon till late (music from 3.00-6.oopm).  Free entry.

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of ‘The Battle of Britain’, Keith is holding another art exhibition and sale. This takes place this time in our own club premises, the Farnborough Sports Club. It is to be held on Sunday, 12th September 2010 from 12noon. We will have live jazz from 3.00 till 6.00pm by John Lee, Roger Curphey and friends.
Keith has produced some fine watercolour paintings of Spitfires, Hurricanes, and Lancs etc flying over Kent. Other subjects range from landscapes of Farnborough Village and other surrounding villages, famous jazz artists, seascapes and even some pets (yes, I hope I can include myself as his pet).

‘What ho’ everybody.  How fabulous the weather is.  The sun is shining and it feels a lot warmer than we have been having lately (we actually had to have the heater on last Monday evening!).   I hope this means an Indian summer.

So what happened last Friday’ (27^th August 2010) at Farnborough Jazz?   Well, you should have been there!  What a lovely band Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces is.  They produced a beautiful evening of such wonderful numbers (lots of dancing).  I like to think these Newsletters are having an impact on all the bands, trying to think of some of those wonderful old numbers that we all know and love and don’t hear too often (I hope you bandleaders don’t get to hate me for that!)  So what did they play?  Well, John Bayne (bass) also plays bass sax and (as mentioned in the ‘band page’) he played ‘Elephant Stomp’, wow, fantastic.  Many years ago, the fabulous Harry Gold (‘& his pieces of eight’ fame) played for us during a jazz weekend festival we presented (that was in the days when we had the club at The Badgers Mount Hotel).  Do any of you remember that?  He played with the great Mac White on clarinet (+ seven other instruments!!), Keith was on drums, with Mick Durrell on bass and Peter Rampton on banjo+guitar.  What a session!  Harry was not much bigger than his bass sax and he swung it from side to side too - what a performance!  Thank you John, you are the same.  Not sure if you are the same size too.  Please keep playing that number, spectacular!  Anyway, back to Friday, Max Emons (trumpet), who has a great jazz voice, also played on his harmonica incredibly well.  The young Ausie, Duncan Hemstock - great clarinet, Hugh Crozier fab on piano, Nick Singer great on banjo and vocals. They were all brilliant.  More gigs for them next year, that’s a promise. 

 And now, yes, we still have Vintage Jazz.  Some of you have heard of their break-up, but I can confirm they are to continue at least until Christmas.  So calling all ‘Vintage Jazz’ fans, cancel your holidays, give up TV and that ole armchair and let ‘Vintage’ know how much you love them.   We want to see a full house this Friday, 3^rd September 2010.  Unfortunately, Terry Knight has now moved on, so good luck and thanks for all your earlier efforts Terry.  However, the line-up this week will be Barry Pulsar on trombone & vocals, Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on clarinet & sax, Brian ‘Dipper’ Duddy on drums, Colin Scudamore on banjo and joining the band on bass will be Peter Clancey.

Oh what a night to be looked forward to - yep.

Diane & Keith

P.S.  We are receiving hundreds of comments, but none of you give your actual name, or what country you are from, it would be nice to know please.  Thanks, Diane.

♫Here I go again, I hear the trumpets blow again♫. Well, I have to think of a different way to start this newsletter, don’t I, because, once again we had a brilliant night. I’m talking about Friday, 20th August 2010. There were at least twenty regulars who we knew were going to a jazz weekend and that meant quite a loss to begin with! But obviously, this young band, The Martyn Brothers Jazz Band, are a great pull and you all came out of the woodwork to a packed house. They had been playing at the 100Club on Thursday (lunchtime) and kindly gave us a good plug, which helped. Now how, or where do I begin? First of all, Ben and Emile gave a great performance throughout, giving a solid engine on bass and drums (respectively). Keith, being a drummer, was extremely impressed. Ben also sang his own song that he had written ‘My heart stays in New Orleans’, very beautiful. Then the rest of the band and not in any specific order of greatness, well, wow. Adrian was mind-blowing. He can ‘wow anyone’s socks off’ (even if you don’t wear them!). He is so talented on both clarinet and sax. Then, what about Alan? What a wonderful trumpet player. He suited the band beautifully. Of course Graham on trombone was spectacular. Then we come to Tom on piano! (Yes, explanation mark) – how can he play so fantastically, being self-taught since the age of five? Wonderful solos, in fact they all performed wonderful solos. The programme was so varied, even playing a country & western song. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, because all other bands will feel they have to do the same, but the wonderful thing they did, was to carry straight from song to song, without even giving time for dancers to return to their seats. I think the fact that they needed to finish pretty promptly (even though they didn’t) because they were off to play in Poland on Saturday.
You see, you cannot afford to miss a week, because you don’t know what you will be missing. So are you coming to hear ‘Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces’ this Friday, 27th August? Don’t be late.  Stop Press News:  Just heard that our lovely friend Laurie Chesco will not be playing tonight (he’s unwell).  However, Graham Callicotte will be our drummin’ man instead. 
Diane and Keith.

Friday, 13th August was absolutely smashing. What a super birthday Keith had. The band was spectacular and many friends turned up to give Keith a great evening. My 4½ year old granddaughter, Zianna, who was dressed in pink as usual, is such a party girl and began dancing as soon as she arrived, spinning around and around. What happened next was a wonderful picture. Andy Dickens on trumpet, Julian Marc Stringle on clarinet and Dave Hewett on trombone came to the middle of the floor and all knelt down in front of Zianna and played to her. Would you believe it, no photo! I should point out the club is not really for children, certainly not for them to dance, but this was an exception, being Grandpop’s birthday. Andy is a marvellous trumpeter and leader, such a natural on the mike. Dave had put together a great programme and everyone played their hearts out. Julian is a marvel, bassist Andy Lawrence’s a star, John China played a mean piano and Rod Brown gave a brilliant solo on drums, playing with his hands, very entertaining. We were so privileged to have them and a great big ‘thank you’ to everyone (audience included). Yes, there was lots of dancing. One poor woman left before it all got started, not believing it was a dancing club! Perhaps she expected a huge ballroom floor, but what a fun evening she missed. So if that lady reads this, please try us again. Sometimes, people don’t get up to dance straight away (perhaps needing a drink, or two before they ‘let go’, although not my granddaughter ha).
Next Friday, 20th August, we are expecting another fun evening with the Martyn Brothers Jazz Band. Have a look back to our Newsletter, dated Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010. It might remind you of the fabulous evening we all had with Barry Martyn, who was on tour from New Orleans. Now we have both his sons, Emile (on drums this time) and Ben (still on string bass) producing their own band. The rest of the band will be Alan Gresty (trumpet), Adrian Cox (clarinet - last with us in Tony Pitt’s Band), Graham Hughes (trombone) and Tom Kincaid (piano).
Join us and keep on jazzin’ with
Diane and Keith
(www.farnboroughjazz.co.uk)

Dave Hewett’s Condonians will be with us tomorrow, Friday, 13th August (£8). You can find a little information about some of the members of the band on a separate ‘band page’, but just in case you are not able to receive it, what a fantastic line-up we have in store for you (and for only £8): Andy Dickens - leader/trumpet, Dave Hewett - trombone, Julian Marc Stringle - reeds, John China - piano, Andy Lawrence - bass and Rod Brown - drums. Oh, and don’t forget (although don’t tell him I said so) Keith will be celebrating his 75th birthday, so wear your best gear, because he and I will be partying!
See you tomorrow.
Diane and Keith

We had a fantastic evening with the ‘Vintage Jazz Band’ and yes, Jan and Tony Scriven did turn up. They brought their son John, who was getting married the next day (obviously had his ‘stag do’ on a previous evening). What a lovely performance the band gave, they get better and better every time. They played East Coast Trot, a number I haven’t heard in ages. Then later on, Tony had a sit-in, and sang ‘Shake That Thing’, great stuff. The attendance was nicely ‘up’, so all in all, we all enjoyed ourselves (long may they reign).
Diane and Keith

We had a Dixieland band on Friday, 2nd July, namely, the Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band. Some people made a special visit, just because they were appearing (travelling not just from down the road, either). It was lovely to see Robin and the boys after such a long absence from the club. Just to let you know, they will be appearing at Ye Olde Whyte Lyon pub at Locks Bottom, Kent on August Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon (29th August 2010). You will find lovely beer and a good Sunday menu up until 3.00pm and (weather permitting) Bar-B-Q. Great publicans, Wendy and Tim always have a sell-out, but that is because it is a pub (not for dancing) with just lots of good food and drink (so Keith and I hope to be there too).
We have your favourite dancing band, the Vintage Jazz Band here on Friday, 9th August. I’ll be back later to let you know who will be playing in the band…. Did you miss me! no comments? The band will be Alan Snook on trumpet, John Lee on sax/clarinet, John Howlett on trombone, ‘Dipper’ Duddy on drums, Jim McIntosh on banjo and Terry Knight on Bass. Oh yes, a little bird told us that Jan and Tony Scriven may be in the audience, we hope so, it will be nice to see them. (Tony was the founder bandleader and drummer and started with us about 20odd years ago!)
Happy days.
Diane & Keith

I have been amazed at how we can have so many people turn up ‘out of the blue’, whom we haven’t seen in an age. Even my dear niece, who I haven’t seen for a while, turned up unexpectedly (her first visit to the club). The weird thing is that I quite often mention someone, or just think of someone and they turn up! (Yes, I must be a witch). Friday was one of those funny evenings. However, again we had a lot of regulars missing, some on holiday. As a result of these various ol’ muckers turning up, I missed listening to quite a lot of the evening with all the chatting that came my way (obviously I loved it).
I can say that the remarks from everyone and what I ‘felt’, the result was that ‘Vintage had done it again’. Great music and humour from the band, plus great dancing (even without our star dancers) and great atmosphere, it gave me something to be proud of for my young niece to witness. Well done to all the boys. But what can you expect from ‘Straders’, ‘the Dancing Pulse’, ‘Lee-man’, ‘Dipper’, ‘Scudie’ and the ‘Knight in shining armour’.
So what about next Friday, 30th July? We are having Robin Coombes with his ‘Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band’ for you (see separate band page). So make your way to Farnborough in Kent, to dance the night away to jazz, jazz, jazz, yeah.
Diane & Keith

How can I say just how fantastic the evening was, without making other bands think they’re not special too, because they are all special, especially last week. However, last Friday, 16th July was such a magical ‘cannot possibly-be-repeated’ evening! We had so many regulars missing, but still the atmosphere was electrifying and the band knew it too! I think that even if there hadn’t been a soul there, the band would have been exactly the same. Oh, we have been having some brilliant evenings and how we wished we had them captured on film and/or recorded. There you go, we didn’t and that’s life. Unfortunately, our bookings are full until next year, but we certainly will ask Tony Pitt to come back to us next year, we hope with the same line-up too (already mentioned last week). It was great to see trumpeter, Alan Gresty, whom Keith & I haven’t seen for an age and who hasn’t played at Farnborough before. Drumming man, Matt Skeaping, was on his first night with us too, and gave us some brilliant solos, so we also hope to see him back again. Then to put the icing on the cake, lovely earthy singer, Mary Wilkinson came with hubby Mick (Mick has played in Keith’s band- ‘The KGB’ (stands for the Keith Grant Band!) and ‘The Mac White Quartet’ back in the ’80’s). Naturally, the band asked Mary to sing for us and she delighted everyone with a couple of numbers! When we were nearing 11.30pm, Tony called out to me to ask what time do they finish? I hesitated for a second and yelled out 12.30p.m! I think they were enjoying themselves so much, that they did play on till 11.45pm - lovely.
I can confirm trombonist, Dave Hewett will be back on 13th August with his own band ‘The Condonians’ (which will be celebrating Keith’s birthday – oh I didn’t say that, did I? He doesn’t want me to advertise that fact!). Bassist Andy Laurence will also be in that band. Then there is young Adrian Cox (he tells me he is getting old at 27yrs!). Well, he will be back to Farnborough with The Martyn Brothers Jazz Band on 20th August.
We have had some wonderful photos taken recently by good friends. Howard Leigh photographed Eastside Stompers, Mike Witt photographed Ron Russell’s All Stars band with Digby Fairweather and Mick Wilkinson photographed Tony Pitts All Stars, all good stuff - thanks you three. So as soon as I can cajole my son-in-law, Scot to find some time to tweak the website, to enable us to have photos, I think you will enjoy the many photos we are accumulating.
Next week, 23rd July sees the return of our house band ‘Vintage Jazz’. I know Dave Stradwick is on trumpet, but who else has Terry got with him this week? Need to phone him…. will be back.
Yes, Dave on trumpet, Barry Palser on trombone, John Lee on clarinet/sax, ‘Dipper’ Duddy on drums, Colin Scudamore on banjo and not forgetting Terry Knight on bass. Hope to see a full house tonight.
Diane & Keith
P.S. Thanks for all your lovely comments - keep ‘em coming.