Farnborough Jazz Club

Last Friday, 9th July, Ron Russell’s All Stars, we thought, was just fabulous. Ron’s humour and personality shone through and that is why he has such a large choice of quality musicians. Digby Fairweather performed with such a fantastic flair (did you know he can play bass too!). However Digby, I could feel you wanted to explode forth with even more of your brilliant talent, but because you are so unassuming, I believe you are too embarrassed to over-shine, for fear of people thinking you are showing off. Well Digby, it doesn’t matter if you are in a little club, like ours, or the likes of Carnegie Hall, you can blast out that talent and show off as much as you like – isn’t that a saying, ‘blowing your own trumpet’? ha ha (hopefully you will come back to us). As for Dave Hewett, what a trombonist and Tim Huskisson, fabulous clarinet, what a combination. The ‘engine room’ was great too, with Ron on bass, Jim Douglas on Guitar and Stan Bourke on drums. Again, there was plenty of dancing.
Can I also give another ‘thank you’ to Sheila and Dick Waterhouse, who announced (on the ‘mike’ at their Sidcup Jazz Club), about my faux par - advertising the wrong band (Vintage Jazz). It seems Ron’s cousin (also our friends) was in the audience. She hadn’t seen Ron in years, so she and a small crowd turned up.
Yes, I’ve done it again! Advert in both jazz magazines has 30th July as ‘Sussex Jazz Kings’. We actually have ‘The Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band’. I just hadn’t updated the bands. I don’t think - well I hope I haven’t made any more mistakes!!!
Friday, 16th July will be ‘Tony Pitt All Stars’ appearance. You may remember seeing Tony at our club, playing banjo in ‘Phil Mason’s All Stars’ band, among other bands. Tony’s own band line-up will be Tony on banjo, Alan Gresty on cornet, Dave Hewett on trombone, Adrian Cox on clarinet, Andy Lawrence on bass and Matt Skeaping on drums. It’s sure to be a blinder. See the separate band page.
Keep on enjoying the Farnborough Jazz Club and its great atmosphere.
Diane and Keith

Gosh, are we over halfway through the year already? Fantastic weather, with fantastic jazz – what more do you want? Friday, 2nd July 2010 gave us a very happy evening. The eight-piece Yerba Buena Band (see their line-up on the band page) were playing in the great West Coast styles of Turk Murphy, Lu Waters and Bob Scobey. The exciting sound had dancers performing with great delight. I am unable to dance at the beginning, being at the entrance desk, but I still love to see that everyone is having fun. So a great big “thank you” to the entire band from all of us.
What can I say about this Friday, 9 July? Just pure jazz of the finest calibre and that will be Ron Russell’s All Stars. Ron has a fantastic line-up for us, with Tim Huskisson on clarinet, Dave Hewett on trombone, Stan Bourke on drums, Jim Douglas on guitar, plus of course Ron himself on bass and the icing on the cake is Digby Fairweather on trumpet. I think if I hadn’t made the mistake with the adverts, we probably wouldn’t be able to get everyone into the club, but with the weather expected to be hot, we shall have the doors open (for any overflow) onto the patio and still enjoy the ambience inside. (Wow, where did all that come from). Seriously, do come along and enjoy some great music.
Diane & Keith
P.S.
The alley way leading to the club has just been named
‘FARROW FIELDS’, after Vic Farrow, Chairman of
the Farnborough Sports Club - nice honour aye? But well deserved.
Arranged by the football committee & footballers.

URGENT, URGENT, URGENT - NEWS UPDATE
Unfortunately, my personal life is extremely hectic at the moment and because of this, I failed to update in both the ‘Just Jazz’ and the ‘Jazz Guide’ magazines one of our most important dates of the year! I have been reminding you on this website, that 9th June brings you Ron Russell’s All Stars, with special guest Digby Fairweather – and (as already mentioned) not to be missed, because we can certainly promise you a brilliant night to remember. Both magazines have that date as our house band, Vintage Jazz. Please don’t think that Vintage Jazz is not to be missed, but Ron has kindly given us a special with Digby Fairweather. Digby has advertised us on his own website, so hopefully we will still have a great turnout, but please pass the message on, thanks and sorry to confuse you.
Friday, 25th June we enjoyed the Vintage Jazz Band’s very exciting line-up (see last week for details - including Dave Cummings on banjo). I know you will be back this week (2nd July) for another special - The Yerba Buena Celebration Band. See separate band page for lineup and see you Friday.
Diane and Keith

Well, it is going to be very difficult to joke this week. We are out of the World Cup and I can not find any words to say at all. Oh, we really don’t like to lose, do we!! I remember my two sisters going to Wembley, when England won the World Cup series in 1966. One sister fainted, but remained upright, because the crowd was so packed in, with no room for her to fall! I wasn’t able to go with them, as I was pregnant, so watched on TV. I can recall feeling so proud of the team and England. This time, we English are all feeling so gutted. In fact, I think the newsletter will have to wait a day, or so, whilst Keith and I recover. By the way, Wembley is not pronounced ‘Wemberley’ – sorry, but does irritate me (sorry to sound so miserable too.) I’ll be back, hopefully with a happier newsletter.
Diane & Keith

On Friday, 18th June, our club presented a truly spectacular jazz band, namely, the Storyville Jass Band from Holland. They came highly recommended to us by Robert Duis of the Limehouse Jazz Band, also from Holland. Thank you Robert, they were marvellous and exactly what our club loves - good ol’ traditional jazz, but with a difference – very professional and relaxed. We can, in all honesty, say that wherever you are in the world, remember the name and if you come across them, we strongly recommend you make a point of going to see/hear them (and that applies to both bands too). They were all individually great, with superb singing from Rudd, Jelle and Peter. The audience raved about them - such talent. I cannot pinpoint any one thing, it was all terrific. Perhaps I can mention that they even played ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ for us (also on their DVD) and there was a brilliant drum solo from Berry. Thanks to you all and that includes Henk on clarinet and Hein on bass too. Once again, there was plenty of dancing going on, but also plenty of listening too. As expected, due to a Jazz Weekend and to England playing Algeria in the World Cup, we had a small crowd, but a few of you turned up after the game, some even before it had ended! However, where were you Algerians? None of you turned up to celebrate, did you? Seriously, terrible game and well done to the Algerian (in West Wickham area), who flew his flag from his car on Friday afternoon.
OK, what’s next? Well, of course we have the Vintage Jazz Band this coming Friday, 25th June. Terry has arranged a great line-up, with Mike Barry on trumpet, John Lee on clarinet & sax, Barry Palser on trombone, ‘Dipper’ Duddy on drums and of course Terry Knight on double bass (please read this newsletter again later, as I shall update it to include who will be on banjo). I should think we will have a big crowd this week, because I’m sure you will all be ready for some fun, after so much football!!!!! (I am a football fan, but too much is … well, I’ll say no more!)
Diane and Keith
P.S. There are a few Fridays left when England will be playing, if they manage to win on Wednesday. Please record the games for later and come to the club – for ‘live’ jazz, especially on 9th June, when Ron Russell’s Vintage Jazz will be there, with the fantastic and famous trumpet player, Digby Fairweather – not to be missed, because we can certainly promise you a brilliant night to remember.

I’m back with another of our Newsletters for you. Another dollar, another day, as they say and once again, I cannot believe a week has gone by already. Last Friday (11th June) we enjoyed the wonderful sounds of professionalism from the Vintage Jazz Band. Unfortunately, our audience, although quality, was very short in quantity! All those missing regulars missed a repeat performance of ‘Palser’s walking Baby’ (i.e. ‘Cake Walking Babies’ by Barry Palser, with his strutting). As mentioned last week, we also had George Walker on banjo & vocals). George of ‘Max Collie Rhythm Aces’ fame. Thank you George, for helping to make Friday night another memorable one for us.
This Friday (18th June), escape from the continuous, loud, monotone drone of the World Cup. Blow out the vuvuzelas. Come and hear how a real horn should be played (!!) with the Storyville Jass Band from Arnhem, Holland. Don’t forget the band play two more sets (after the end of the football game), because they play until 11.30p.m. So come along and celebrate if you are English, or commiserate if you are Algerian!
By the way, just in case you are only receiving the Newsletters on your computer and are not able to see the extra pages to the right of the them (re the club and bands etc.) you can look up Storyville on their own website www.storyvilljassband.info to find out all about them. For example, on 4th January 2009, they celebrated their 50th anniversary with a Jubilee concert where the great Chris Barber performed as a guest.
This Friday’s expected line-up of the band will be:
Ruud Nieuwenhuijzen - cornet, flugelhorn, vocals, leader
Henk van de Ven - clarinet
Peter Dobbe - trombone, vocals, guitar
Berry Schuuring – drums
Hein van Rooijen - double bass and
Jelle Posthumus - banjo, vocals, guitar

Cheers from Diane & Keith.

How many times, you might say, is ‘she’ going to revel in the previous Friday night’s events (4 June)? Sorry, because ‘she’ is going to ‘burst’ about that evening. Seriously, what another great one it was. George Tidiman did it again, the band was a great success. They gelled so well together. I recall a lovely remark from George about Jim McIntosh (banjo). He said he had never seen a plectrum ignite before! Yes, the band was hot, hot, hot! If you haven’t had the delight of encountering George ‘live’, you must show up at Farnborough on 10 September for his next gig with us. He is so funny and a wonderfully talented musician. That is why he gets the ‘greats’ to play with him (see last week’s newsletter for the line-up).
Vintage Jazz is back on Friday (11 June) with another great line-up. Terry has managed to put together the following musicians:
Dave Stradwick – trumpet/vocals, Barry Palser – trombone/vocals & knees up, John Lee – clarinet & saxes, Terry Knight – double bass, ‘Dipper’ Duddy – drums and George Walker – banjo. I can smell another exciting evening of jazz. Why don’t you come and enjoy yourselves!
Diane and Keith
P.S. Don’t forget next week (Friday, 18 June), we present the fabulous Storyville Jass Band from Holland - how we are spoiling you! (See our separate page about them).

I am amazed at how our jazz bands manage to entertain us each week with a variety of numbers, but that is just what they all do. However, when you think of all the songs to choose from, the mind boggles. Of course numbers are repeated, otherwise we wouldn’t know how to sing along with some of them, but still they manage to come up with some obscure ones. Good ‘ol’ Vintage Jazz managed to entertain us once again (last Friday, 28 May). My particular favourite moment (and Keith’s) was when Barry Palser not only sang, but also danced ‘Cake Walkin’ Babies’ (see separate page for ‘Lyrics’). Wow, did he get those legs up high and he’s no spring chicken! The audience just roared with laughter. So now the song will be known as ‘Palser Walkin’ Baby’! Another favourite moment for me was when Keith had a sit-in on drums. Keith suggested they play something easy (middle speed) but Alan Snook (trumpet) said to play “Avalon” Of course it was extremely fast and although Keith managed it fine, he did not have it easy, ha ha. He said he managed to clear the dance floor!! Keith was/is a drummer, but managed to break both his arms (and a shoulder blade) no less than five different times, so gave up professional drumming (I gave him concussion each time, hitting him over the head with frustration - only kidding).
This coming Friday (4 June) we are presenting the inimitable George Tidiman’s All Stars. He always has top pro’s in the band and this Friday will be no exception. George (trombone) has booked Denny Illet (trumpet), Johnny Rogers (clarinet/sax), Martin Guy (drums), Johnny Siret (double bass) and Gentleman Jim McIntosh (banjo), wow, what a line-up. You just cannot miss this one.
We are always pleased to see people, who have not been for some years and last Friday, some did turn up. So if you haven’t been to the club in a long, long time, please don’t feel embarrassed to come along again, we would welcome you with open arms (well - a kiss!).
Diane and Keith
P.S. News update. Brian Lawrence phoned last night to tell us he managed to complete a gig at the weekend (see last week’s newsletter as to why I have mentioned this). Well done to you, Brian, we are so glad that you won’t have to use your toes next time you come.

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)!