Farnborough Jazz Club

Dear Jazzers,

Last Friday, 23^rd October 2009, we had Phil Mason’s All Stars, with the fantastic Christine Tyrrell singing her lovely sexy numbers, one being ‘Wont You Feel My Thighs’. This brought the house down. Phil also sang some great numbers, including ‘Music for My Friends’. I like to think it was meant for us. Oh how I love the band. The line-up was Phil Mason (leader/cornet/vocals), Mickey Cooke (trombone/vocals), Roger Myerscough (clarinet), Laurie Chescoe (drums/washboard), Vic Pitt (double bass), his brother, Tony Pitt (banjo) and Christine Tyrrell (vocals).

This Friday 30^th October, the popular Vintage Jazz return, who need no introduction as they have been our house band for so many years. As you now know, Harry Brampton has now left for a well earned rest. I understand this week we have John Lee on clarinet, Don Howlett on trombone and Andy Maynard on Banjo.

The funeral of band leader and drummer Jerry Card took place on Tuesday. His bands include ‘Papa Joe’s All Stars’ and ‘Jerry Cards Telephone Band’. He must have been smiling with such pride, because what a turnout! The whole village traffic came to a standstill, whilst Grand Marshall, Jim (‘Jimbo’) Pack led about a dozen of Jerry’s musician-friends, who played Jazz to escort the hearse and family from the house to a beautiful old church. Many of us followed on foot. I did not count how many people were present in the church (which was possibly of Norman Times), but I would guess at least 150. Ian Turner (accompanied by Treffor ‘fingers’ Williams on bass and Andy Maynard on Banjo), sang beautifully ‘One sweet morning - I’ll Fly High’.

The service was held by a lady vicar. The eulogies from the family delivered by Jerry’s cousin, son and daughter were elegantly simple and heart-warming. Then Jim led the band gracefully playing us all from the church and on to the cemetery, about half a mile away. Some of the numbers that the band played ‘Over in the glory land’, ‘Down in honkey tonk town’, and ‘Lily of the valley. The weather was lovely too, and now Jerry resting place in on top of a hill, overlooking a magnificent view of the countryside and the sea in the short distance–so peaceful. Afterwards, the wake was full of laughter recalling some lovely stories we all had regarding Jerry. I feel sure Patsy and family were proud of his send-off, that she and Jerry had arranged which must help a little to cope with their grief. Well, another musician is playing in the great sky above.

Jerry’s Telephone Band booked for 20^th November will go ahead as The Jerry Card’s Tribute Band.

Diane and Keith.

Hello again.
I hope I am not using too many duplicated narratives. You see, to make this news letter interesting, we have to take ourselves back to the night in question and I find myself repeating ‘Oh what a super evening’, or ‘great night’. However, Dave Stradwick’s mob always make contact with the audience and the audience respond well. So, yes, we had a great night on 16th October 2009 - which was nicely attended. Obviously, Dave has this rapport, because he was originally the leader of Vintage Jazz for many years, so familiarity - and all that jazz! The band had the same line-up as mentioned on Diane’s Blog following their last gig on 14 August 09.
This Friday, a few of our regulars are away at one (or two) jazz weekend trips, so we need the rest of you to turn up by the coach load (remember, no membership, anyone is welcome). We are proud to announce that once again, on 23rd October 2009, we have the INTERNATIONALLY famous PHIL MASON’S ALL STAR BAND, with the lovely CHRISTINE TYRRELL singing those lovely sexy numbers (hey boys, perhaps we ought to charge you double - only kidding). You can look up Phil’s own website for the band’s line-up. Rest assured, you will be in for a great evening’s entertainment and for only £8 entrance, GET THERE!
Diane & Keith

News re 25^thSeptember, 2^nd & 9^th & 16^th Oober 2009

What ho everybody. I’m sorry to have been absent for three weeks. I had a ‘flu’ bug! Don’t know if it was Swine flu, or just a just a swine! Lost my voice completely, much to Keith’s delight! Apparently, I missed a great night on 25^th September with Bob Dwyer’s Hot 7. Keith said Bob had young lads with him, playing their hearts out, namely Duncan Hemstock on clarinet (who comes from Adelaide in Australia) and Toby Nowell on trumpet. Toby is the son of Vernon Dudley Warren Nowell, famed from the Bonzo Doo Da Band, plus the Bill Posters Will Be Band.  Many people commented the following week how much they had enjoyed them. The full line-up was Toby Nowell on trumpet,  Duncan Hemstock on clarinet & sax,  Bob Dwyer on trombone & vocals (leaderd),  Hugh Crozier on piano,  John Bayne on bass &bass sax, Nick Singer on banjo & vocals and Laurie Chesco - drums.

2^nd October was a Vintage Jazz night. Wow, what a shock we had when Harry (Brampton) walked in, gave us the news that he was only delivering the sound equipment. He was giving up playing and John Lee was to replace him that night! He had decided that it was all too much, wanted to relax and not to have to worry about racing to gigs. Vintage Jazz has been our ‘house’ band for many years (playing practically every other week). Their first gig for us was 9^th August 1991, when we were running jazz at the Badgers Mount Hotel, Pole Hill, Nr Knockholt, in Kent. In those days, the great ‘Jumping’ Jack Gilbert played clarinet & alto sax. When Jack died, Harry took over - a huge job to undertake, but he did it effortlessly and has played with the band ever since. Musicians rarely retire, because it’s in their blood and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him return to playing, if only from time to time. Keith and I wish to thank you, Harry, for the great entertainment you have given us and to wish you and Yvonne some happy evenings together.  Perhaps a cruise or two, just think, you can now dance with one another now! You know, you are both more than welcome to visit us at the club any Friday ‘on the house’. Good luck Harry. The Vintage line that night was John Lee on clarinet & tenor sax, Alan Snook on trumpet, John Shelley on trombone & vocals,  Colin Scudamore on banjo, Terry Knight on bass and ‘Dipper’ Duddy on Drums.

Last Friday, 9^th October, we had George Tidiman’s All Stars. What a pro band! The line-up was Tim Huskisson on clarinet & tenor sax, Denny Isllet on trumpet, George Tidiman on trombone and vocals (leader),  ‘Southend’ Bob on banjo, John Sirret on bass and  Bill Finch on Drums.  Not a huge turnout (possible illnesses/holidays), but what a super evening’s entertainment. Keith and I will cerainly be booking them for early next year, without a doubt. They played some very different numbers, including one called Robin Hood?  George always comes up trumps, so don’t miss them next time!

This Friday, 16^th October is Dave Stradwicks’ Sussex Jazz Kings.  It was to have been Tees Valley Jazzmen, but as already mentioned in a previous news bulletin, they asked to cancel, as the band are finding it hard to travel so far now.

Now, we have some very sad news. I don’t like giving bad news, but it’s about Jerry Card.  Sadly, he has lost his battle with cancer and died on Wednesday.  He had been so brave throughout.  When he last played at Farnborough, he had been undergoing treatment that very day.  He travelled to us, played all evening and then returned home - near the coast! What a trouper. Obviously, our thoughts are with his wife, Patsy and family. If you wish to send a message to them, you can do so via my email address (diane@farnboroughjazz.co.uk) heading it “Jerry Card” and I’ll pass them on. Patsy obviously doesn’t know everyone on the jazz circuit. She has asked if you might wish to send flowers, instead to please donate to cancer care or cancer research on Jerry’s behalf.  Many thanks.

The band will go ahead with the gig with us on 20^th November, as a tribute to Jerry. Please support them that night, as they will obviously blow a storm and will need to receive lots of appreciation. Thank you.

Diane & Keith.

There appears to be a problem when vewing the site in internet explorer, as there is a ‘what’s on’ page. It works fine in Firefox and Google Chrome. We will attempt to find the source of the problem in IE.

Here’s the link to the whats on page whilst we sort out the problem with navigation in IE.
http://www.farnboroughjazz.co.uk/?page_id=3