Farnborough Jazz Club

Just as predicted, we had that great ‘party atmosphere’ last Friday (21 May 2010) with The Original Eastside Stompers, but then we (the audience) do have a great rapport with the band. What a lot of whooping and a hollering went on and so much dancing by everyone, including me and I’m still aching from it. There were a few newcomers to the club, who were highly delighted with the band and have threatened to come again! The band was made up with the usual members, with just one change. That was ‘Southend Bob’ (banjo) Albutt, who is still ‘filling in’ for Brian Lawrence, after his accident. You might recall that Brian lost the top of his finger and is learning to play without it. (Keep up the good work Brian – we wish you well). By the way, the next dates for ‘TOES’ (hey what a good name for them, perhaps you can learn to play with yours Brian - sorry, I digress) will be 24 September and 17 December.
By-the-by, just a weather update, I mentioned how freezing we were ten days ago (minus) and were expecting a heat wave - yes it came at 30degrees centigrade!
Back to jazz, once again, we have The Vintage Jazz Band back this coming Friday (28 May). Barry Palser will be on trombone, with Nick Singer on banjo, the rest of the band as usual.
Come on, get your ‘glad-rags’ on and come out for a good time with ‘live’ music. It keeps you young – and fit, if you dance.
Have a good week.
Diane and Keith

My, my, how the weeks flash by, don’t they! Last Friday, 14th May, we were freezing and now this week, we are expecting the usual month of May heat wave. That’s England for you. Last Friday seems a million miles away, but that doesn’t detract from the special evening we had with the Vintage Jazz Band. It just can’t get any better, can it? This time, the fun-loving trombonist, George Tidiman, was with them. They also had John Lee on Tenor sax & clarinet, Alan Snook on trumpet, Terry Knight on double bass, Dipper Duddy on drums and last, but by no means least, Colin Scudamore on banjo. There is nothing like live music, is there!
If you are anything like me nowadays, you don’t always feel like going out on Friday - tired after a hard week. Then, what a great night follows and I’m ready to go out the whole weekend, which then sets me up for work the rest of the week. Well if you feel like that this Friday, struggle! Because we have the great Eastside Stompers and no-one wants to miss them - always party time! So see you Friday.
Diane & Keith
P.S. We have received comments from foreign students thanking us for helping with their English. I’m happy to have been a help, but hope I haven’t used too much slang (lazy shortcuts)!

Hi everyone. You may wonder how I manage to produce a newsletter each week. Well, I can say, in perfect honesty; it is very hard to start typing, whilst trying to find different words and not be repetitive. ‘Great’, ‘fantastic’, ‘superb’, ‘wonderful’! I think I may have used every descriptive word imaginable – oh no I haven’t – how about ‘brilliant’! New Orleans Heat were all of those words and yes, you all came out of the woodwork from far and wide. Unfortunately, some of our regulars were unable to make it, but again, what a lovely night. Thank you Barry, a couple of your band members couldn’t make it, but you found some great ‘deps’. The line-up was Gwyn Lewis on cornet, Mike Taylor on trombone, Barry Grummett (band leader) on piano, Harry Slater on string bass and Tony Peatman on banjo. Roger Myerscough replaced John Scantlebury on clarinet/sax and Malc Murphy replaced Colin Bushell on drums.
This Friday, 13th May, we have our house band Vintage. George Tidiman will be on trombone and Colin Scudamore on banjo, so expect another enjoyable night of fun and dancing.
Many of you have asked why no photos on this website? We have a little glitch which has to be rectified first, then you will see various photos etc. Please be patient. Mind you, perhaps the site has been noticed, simply because we don’t have photos – just because it is different????
Diane & Keith

This Friday (7th May 2010) will see the return of New Orleans Heat. Their leader & pianist, Barry Grommit, and the band fare from the Midlands, although Gwyn Lewis (trumpet) travels from Swansea. The band must love our very appreciative audience to travel so far. Yes, NOHeat (a 7-pce band) are great favourites of ours. The entrance fee is £8 and well worth it. Join us and I dare you to say I‘m wrong!
Last Friday (30thApril) we had a full house for Vintage Jazz (although always room for more). Their long-term fans are returning to the fold. With the great John Lee on tenor sax, they played ‘Tuxedo Junction‘, sounding just like a big band - fantastic! There was so much laughter and plenty of dancing; what a joy to see. With great music to listen to, you don’t have to be dancers to enjoy yourselves. The musicians: Alan Snook (trumpet), John Lee (clarinet/sax), Barry Palser (trombone/vocals), ‘Dipper’ Duddy (drums), Nick Singer (banjo/vocals) and Terry Knight (bass).
Keep jazz ‘live’.
Diane & Keith