Peter Burton's daily log, covering Peter's personal interests, e.g. jazz, travel and general grumpiness plus (occasionally) the business of Isomatic and its associate companies.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Apex Jazz Band at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw the Apex Jazz Band at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Tony Nutt (cornet), Peter Minett (soprano and alto sax), Bob Dwyer (trombone), Terry Twiss (guitar, banjo, vocals), Bert Shipp (bass guitar and vocals) and Dave Beale on drums. The picture shows this base band with Peter's partner Pat in the left foreground sitting next to Aileen May, who did not play bass on this occasion.
We particulary enjoyed:
'Magnolia's Wedding Day';
'Am I Blue' with Terry on guitar and vocal, to which we danced;
'Tishomingo Blues' as above but with Bert providing the vocal;
Bob's feature 'All Alone By The Telephone', including vocal.
The group of guests were Tony Karavis (cornet), Phil Brown (trombone) and Andy Jones (bass guitar) playing 'You Took Advantage of Me' and 'Sweet Georgia Brown'. Andy then remained in position with the rest of the base band to sing 'Ain't Misbehaving'.
We shared our table with George Eatwell and his son, who lives in Littlehampton because Brighton is too expensive. There was much amusement over this as our son lives in Brighton. Cricks regular Brian then provided the 'Rough Guide to Jazz', leading to much joking about jazz musicians.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, July 30, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Dave Alison
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it was a quintet comprising Alan Brock (trumpet), Dave Alison (clarinet, baritone sax; pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with this line-up were
'There will Never Be Another You';
'Willow Weep For Me';
'Caravan', great Partnership between Alan and Dave;
and Dave's vocal 'Ain't Misbehaving'.
The guests from the audience came in three groups:
1) Fred Shaw (cornet), playing 'Some Day You'll be Sorry' and his vocal 'Sugar'.
2) Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax) and Peter Clancy (trombone) playing 'Royal Garden Blues' and 'Careless Love'
3) Roy Stokes and Peter Tallent (trombones), playing 'Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone' and 'Exactly Like You'.
Colin Lewry (keyboard) played during the breaks against a noisy background because the bar was busy on that night.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Excel Four at the Onslow Arms
On Saturday evening we went to
The Onslow Arms, West Clandon for the first time to see the Excel four, pictured in the back yard before rain drove them inside. They are four of the six-piece Excel Jazzmen, comprising leader Tony Karavis (cornet), Bernie Murtha (clarinet), Ian Parry (guitar and banjo in place of drums) and Mike Broad (bass). The quartet played in a more sophisticated, restrained, style for this gig, i.e. just the way we like it. We enjoyed every number, particularly:
Kiss to Build a Dream On
Girl of my Dreams
You took Advantage of me
I'm Confessin'.
Ian's guitar playing was particularly enjoyable, especially on the last two numbers above.
The Onslow Arms seemed to be pretty good as a pub; we shared George Eatwell's platter for two and quite fancied (but resisted) the desserts. As a jazz venue it is not so good, as there is only one table that is ideal for an audience. We were lucky to be able to share it with George plus Maggie and David from the Watermans Arms jazz crowd.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Parcel force
I have often moaned about transport companies on this weblog but now Parcel Force has proved worse than even my expectations:
1) delivery took far too long
2) an attempt was made to collect import VAT from our customer, despite the fact that I had already paid by credit card
3) the relevant depot refuses to provide any receipt for this payment
4) I can only get a breakdown into VAT and other charges verbally over the telephone, no documentation is available.
The award pictured would appear to be worthless.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, July 27, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Denny Ilett and Ken Ames
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Deputising for Pete Towndrow on cornet was Denny Ilett and Alan Dandy was replaced by Ken Ames (guitar, banjo). These two great musicians are pictured.
We have to pick 6 numbers to mention here because it is so difficult to choose between them:
'Old-fashioned Love' with bluesy guitar from Ken;
'You Took Advantage of me' with great cornet from Denny;
'West End Blues' with a fine trombone solo section;
'Wild Man Blues' including delightful clarinet and cornet solos;
'Up a Lazy River' featuring jazzy vocal from Ken;
'New Orleans', this time with jazzy guitar.
During the break, Rex Bennett bemoaned the fact that when times are hard for jazz musicians it is always the drummers and trombonists that are dropped first. Thinking about this since, I can only say that jazz trios and quartets vary considerably but Rex's remarks certainly apply to the Apex band when they reduce from 6 to 4.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Blue Moon Jazz Band at the Watermans Arms
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band was the normal line-up,comprising Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). The numbers we particularly liked were 'It's a Sin to Tell a Lie' and 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave to me', both with vocal by Pete. The first group of guests (pictured) comprised Fred Shaw (cornet), Mark Goodin (clarinet), Mo Kahn (ukelele) and Tony Pile (banjo). They played 'Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone' and 'Creole Love Call', to which we danced. Fred was then joined by John Parsons for 'Bugle Boy March', after which tirdeness beat us and we headed home.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
3 phase converters can bite
On Tuesday we visited a user of our Booster D16 (old shape, as pictured) who had reported a problem. This transpired to be due to serious variations in the single phase mains supply feeding the converter. While making the measurements that proved this I had an accident with a suspect test lead, resulting in 400V AC being connected to each of my hands. I now have blisters on the right one and a long burn mark on the other. It is interesting to note that the burns were painless, presumably because either:
a) the sensory system is disrupted by such a shock
or
b) the brain decides to concentrate on sensing the heart to the exclusion of all else.
Labels: Phase converters
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Bob Dwyer's Hot Six at the Cricks
On Monday night we sawBob Dwyer's Hot Six at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. This was the hot seven minus drums, comprising Bob Dwyer (trombone, vocals), Bill Edmonds (trumpet), John Bain (clarinet, alto sax, bass sax), Chris Newman (keyboard), Peter Clancy (electric string bass and Sousaphone) and Nick Singer (banjo, guitar, vocals). The enjoyed every number but those we liked best were:
'Blues in Thirds', our favourite, to which we danced;
Nick's vocals 'I Get the Blues When it Rains' and 'When I leave This World Behind';
Bill's features 'Cornet Chop Suey', 'Alligator Crawl' and ''West End Blues';
'Elephant Stomp', John's Bass Sax feature;
'Si Tu Vois Ma Mere', John's clarinet feature, once recorded by Monty Sunshine as 'Lonesome';
The photograph (using a 'bright' mode on the camera) shows a rather blurred band, with Mrs Dwyer in the foreground.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, July 23, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Clive Burton
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The quintet comprised Alan Brock (trumpet and vocals) Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass), Mike Knipe (drums) and special guest Clive Burton (trombone). The guests from the audience were Colin Lewry (keyboard), John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), Fred Shaw (cornet), Peter Talent (slide trombone) and Peter Clancy (slide trombone and string bass). We enjoyed 'I Cover the Waterfront', Fred's vocal 'Kiss to Build a Dream On and, best of all, Clive's feature 'Skylark', to which we danced.
Derek from Oban appeared once more and amused us with the story of his first marriage break-up. At least he can laugh about it now.
The first picture shows the base band with Selina in the foreground and Derek just in the bottom left corner. The second picture shows Colin playing in the break.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Gatsby Jazz Band with Malcolm Donaldson
On Saturday evening we went to
The Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston Upon Thames, for the monthly performance by the Gatsby Jazz Band. It featured the standard personnel except that Malcolm Donaldson was on Clarinet and tenor Sax. Our favourite numbers were 'Kiss to Build a Dream on', sung by Malcolm, and two vocals by Alan Jenkins (trumpet); 'Wonderful World' in Satchmo voice and 'King of the Swingers'in Louis Prima voice.
Derek from Oban joined us for the second time in 3 days. He onced lived close to the Wych Elm but had never been inside before. We struggled again to remember where we stayed in Oban 3 summers ago; it was the
Manor House.
Labels: Jazz, Oban
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Royal Oak, Paley Street; floods
On Friday evening the director/shareholders of
Boost Energy had a working dinner at the
Royal Oak, Paley Street. The food and drink are good there, although it is rather expensive and fully booked most Fridays. We did not know until today that it is owned by Michael Parkinson and his son.
Getting there was difficult due to many roads being flooded but we splashed our way through various diversions. We mentally planned a higher ground route home but, as always, came to Chobham. The village centre was closed to traffic and the fire brigade was pumping water out via a very long hose. When we reached the point where the hose ended, surprise surprise, the road was flooded to a depth greater than anything we had experienced that evening. We managed to get through in first gear with accelerator buried in the carpet and water washing over the bonnet !
Labels: Eating out
Friday, July 20, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Dave Hewett
On Thursday evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton for the weekly Magna Jazz Band gig. Dave Hewett (pictured) was the special guest, playing great trombone and baritone horn. We discussed the compilation CD he previously gave to us; worthy of a posting on this weblog in its own right.
Our favourite numbers were:
1) Derek from Oban's request 'Sweet Georgia Brown' with Alan Dandy setting his keyboard to 'Vibes' mode
2) 'Dave's feature 'Sally'
3) best of all 'Corrine Corrina', with Brian White and Alan Dandy both capturing the blues essence of the number.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Blue Moon Jazz Band at Hersham
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band was the normal line-up,comprising Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). The guests comprised Fred Shaw (cornet), John Parsons (clarinet) and Bill Gyford (banjo, vocals). They played 'Rosetta', 'Ain't Misbehaving' and '100 years from today'. The last of these, with a great vocal from Bill, was easly our favourite of the evening.
As a special treat, a buffet was provided by Watermans Jazz regular David on the occasion of his 65th birthday and there was massive raffle.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Ampair test site in Cornwall
Over last weekend our colleagues put up the fourth
Ampair wind turbine at our test site in Cornwall. The photographs show:
1) All four turbines in action
2) The latest one close up
3) Battery charging and 'grid-tie' equipment; one set per turbine.
Labels: Wind power
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Panama Cafe Orchestra with Richard White
On Monday evening we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at the packed
Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet, vocals), Richard White (clarinet, alto sax, vocals), Chris Lowe (trombone, vocals), Chris Houslander (sousaphone), Dave Griffiths (banjo) and Mike Gibbons (drums). The picture shows the band with Richard White foremost. For a short time he played an early clarinet from around 1780-1800, almost entirely open hole like a recorder. We enjoyed every number playrd but particularly 'After You've Gone', 'Davenport Blues' by Bix Beiderbecke, 'Copenhagen' and the two Hoagy Carmichael numbers; 'New Orleans' and 'Lazy Bones'. We had a good crowd at our table, including Alan for the whole evening, Rustom for most of it (lending us a Sid Philips record) Brian for the first half and Ernie taking his place for the second half. The seats never got cold.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, July 16, 2007
Urban Gin House with Leslie Dyos
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band, this time comprising Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Leslie Dyos (trombone), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'Blues my Naughty Sweetie Gave to Me' with Alan Brock singing the intricate words and 'Girl of My Dreams' with fine trumpet and keyboard performances from the two Alans. Even better was Alan Dandy's keyboard feature 'I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (pocket trumpet) playing 'I Cover the Waterfront' and 'Cheek to Cheek';
Fred Shaw (cornet, vocals) playing and singing 'Sugar' and 'Mandy Make Up Your Mind'; Peter Clancy and Peter Tallent (trombones) playing 'Bye Bye Blackbird' and "Georgia on my Mind'. Unfortunately we were too tired to stay to the end, particularly as they started 'Black and Blue' as we left.
The picture, showing the standard band with Selina in the foreground, is an interesting example of how back lighting gives depth to a photograph. I think this is my best effort yet, despite (or due to) having the camera set incorrectly.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Tell No One (Ne Le Dis A Personne) at Croydon
On Saturday evening we went to
The David Lean cinema at Croydon's Clocktower Arts centre to see the French film
Tell No One. Great plot in true Hitchcock style with twists and turns that kept me awake at night going over them in my mind. We need to see it again to clear up a few points. Everyone who likes mysteries should go and see this film.
Croydon is not the ideal venue unless you happen to live there. It is very vehicle-unfriendly with many access restrictions and car parks that cost more than you are ever likely to have in your pocket, so have credit card at the ready. The only car park close to the venue was closed.
Labels: Film
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Ampair 300 wind turbine interrogation
On Friday I underwent a thorough interrogation by telephone concerning the merits of the
Ampair 300 wind turbine in comparison with two competitors. Although this was a painful process, I suppose we must applaud customers who do their homework so thoroughly. I was surprised to be asked about weatherproofing; surely all equipment for yachts must be weatherproof ? On the subject of possible blade breakage I was brutally honest; it is highly unlikely in normal circumstances but I would not sit under any wind turbine in a hurricane. The customer has placed an order so I must have said the right things.
Labels: Wind power
Friday, July 13, 2007
Magna Jazz Band at the Berrylands
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. It was back to the standard line-up, the best set of musicians that we see regularly. Early on we had the old argument about the Jelly Roll Morton composition Milneburg Joys versus Milenberg Joys plus variations in pronunciation. I refer our readers to
[Dixieland Jazz] Correct Spellings from which I quote "The tune was written about a little resort community (Milneburg) ............... named for Alexander Milne, a Scotsman".
We enjoyed every number played that evening but our favourites were:
'Stardust' by Hoagy Carmichael, with great trumpet by Pete Towndrow;
'Melancholy Blues' with fine trombone and keyboard sections;
Alan Dandy's keyboard solo 'Sleepy Time Gal'.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Blue Moon Jazz Band at the Watermans Arms
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band was the normal line-up,comprising Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals and fellow West Ham supporter) and Aileen May (string bass). Our favourite number with this line-up was 'Melancholy Blues', to which we danced. The first group of guests (pictured) comprised Tony Nutt (cornet) and John Parsons (clarinet). They played 'Tin Roof Blues' and 'Rosetta'. The base band returned with Tony Pile on banjo, whereby Mike announced they would play a number never attempted before in honour of Selina Burton. The title was 'Short Dress Girl' ! Peter Tallent then joined the band on trombone for 'Shine' (Tony Pile vocal) and 'I'll see you in my Dreams'(Pete Nevard vocal). We were both so tired by then that we left.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Water Power
The
Ampair UW underwater turbine continues to sell well. I am amazed at how many customers want it. However, for anyone with a stream at the bottom of the garden it is certainly a carbon-free renewable energy source.
Labels: Water power
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Swingfellows at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw Swingfellows at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Pete Skivington (leader, Bass Guitar), John Barnes (tenor sax, clarinet), Dave Hewett (slide trombone, baritone horn) and Jim Douglas (guitar). This is a great quartet, three of them being from the Alex Welsh band that we saw every 3 or 4 weeks during the 1960s. Numbers that we loved included 'Singing the Blues', 'Three Little Words', 'The Nearness of You', 'Do you Know what it Means to Miss New Orleans' and best of all Dave Hewett's feature 'St James' Infirmary', including using just the trombone's slide with a beer mug.
We had a very enjoyable meal with Dave and Sylvia Hewett plus our usual dinner companion Axel. Dave gave us his definitive compilation of great jazz recordings on CD so we have to report back on which tracks we like.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, July 09, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Mark Aston
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up, as pictured, comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Mark Aston (tenor sax, clarinet), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite number with these musicians was 'Undecided' with Alan and Mark playing well together as they had all evening.
Guests were:
Colin Lewry (keyboard) in the breaks with his classic versions of 'Satin Doll', 'Willow Weep for me', 'Pennies from Heaven', 'Georgia on my Mind', etc.;
Phil Brown (trombone)and Nick Singer (vocal) playing/singing 'When You're Smiling' with Alan Brock;
Phil Brown and Mark Aston playing 'Shiny Stockings', to which we danced with Selina wearing shiny tights as her skirt was too short for stockings;
Fred Shaw (cornet and vocal), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Nick Singer (guitar, pictured) playing 'I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me' and playing/singing 'Up a Lazy River'.
Peter Clancy and Peter Tallent (trombones) with Nick Singer playing 'All of Me' and 'Some of These Days';
Nick singing with the base band on 'Sugar'.
Fred Shaw sat with us towards the end and insisted that I write nothing bad about him on my weblog in case the Pope reads it !
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Brian's 70th with Rance's Rocking Chair Band
On Saturday evening we went to Brian's 70th birthday party at Guildfords 'Aggi' club. We presented him with an appropriate card, depicting his old pastime of drumming and his present passion of photography. It was called 'Drummers Get All The Luck' and showed drumming on a naked woman's body. We thank trombonist Dave Hewett for producing the card.
Brian had hired Rance's Rocking Chair Band, led by Dave Rance (cornet, mellophone and vocals). The picture is from an earlier appearance at the Cricks. This band is well worth seeing for its mix of humour and steady flow of jazz, hardly pausing to draw breath. The line-up is unusual in having both guitar and banjo playing together. Both musicians played guitar for a beautiful rendering of 'I Can't get Started'. Our other favourite was 'Big Noise From Winnetka' featuring some fine string bass playing.
Thanks Brian for a great evening.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Booster A8 three phase converter
We have changed the layout of the
Booster A8 now that it is produced in the UK. In place of the tall cabinet with external motor-generator it looks just like the A4 and A6 (old model A4 pictured). Obviously it is more crowded inside than the lower rated models but it is still easier to build and service than the old A8. We have also reduced the number switches and buttons on the front to just one. We believe most customers will prefer this, particularly as some of them shorted out the previous stop/start buttons.
Labels: Phase converters
Friday, July 06, 2007
Chez Chesterman with the Magna Jazz Band
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Chez Chesterman (pictured) replaced Pete Towndrow on Cornet, the remainder of the band being back to normal. Highlights for sheer pleasure were 'Far Away blues', 'Yellow Dog Blues', Brian White's vocal on 'Tight Like That', Chez's great vocal on 'Put'em Down Blues' and Alan Dandy's feature 'Pick Yourself Up'. The last of those listed is by Jerome Kern from the musical 'Swing Time'; dreadful story but great music, e.g. 'The Way You look Tonight'.
At the interval I swapped seats with Selina so that I was sitting in the 'lucky' seat for the first time in weeks. I again won the raffle, this time second prize; the Dixieland Jazz CD.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Blue Moon Jazz Band at the Watermans Arms
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band was the normal line-up,comprising Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). Our favourite numbers with this line-up were 'Just a Gigolo', to which we danced, and 'When Someone Thinks You're Wonderful', featuring Alan Matravers. The first group of guests (first picture) comprised Fred Shaw (cornet), Mark Goodin (clarinet) and Bill Gyford (banjo, vocal). They played 'Whining Boy Blues' and 'Rosetta'. Dave Stradwick (trumpet), John Parsons (clarinet) and Peter Clancy (trombone) took over as the second guest group (second picture) for 'Ace in the Hole' and 'Bugle Boy March'. The base band returned with Peter Tallent on trombone for 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie' aka 'Blues my Sweaty Nightie', expertly sung by Pete Nevard. Fred Shaw (cornet) returned for 'Tin Roof Blues' and then Dave Stradwick and Roy Stokes returned for 'Tiger Rag'.
There is a sound level meter in the room, with a big amber light coming on when the limit is reached. We have never seen this light on for so long or so often as when Dave Stradwick was leading the band.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Rome on BBC2
At last there is something worth watching on television. We record two episodes of
Rome each week and watch them on Tuesday evening. Great entertainment set in an historical context. We particularly like the juxtaposition of the story of two ordinary soldiers on the much bigger political story of the Roman aristocracy. James Purefoy's portrayal of Mark Anthony is wonderful, switching from pleasure seeking to cunning and menace.
Labels: Television
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Phil Brown Swingtet at the Cricks
On Monday evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet back to normal line-up, complete with hats (see picture; Mrs Pat Brown in the foreground). This comprised Phil Brown (trombone), Lester Brown (trumpet, flugel horn), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax, Clarinet and curly soprano sax), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and David Clancy (drums). Having discussed jazz composers with Axel at our table, I will attempt to name them all below. Our favourite numbers, as usual, were the slow ones, to which we danced:
'Georgia on my Mind' by Hoagy Carmichael and
'Tin Roof Blues' arranged and re-named by Walter Melrose and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings although it is based on 'Rusty Nail Blues' an early jazz riff used by legendary New Orleans cornetist Buddy Petit. Trombonist George Brunis is also sometimes credited as composer.
Having criticised modern jazz on this weblog I must say that we very much enjoyed Mark's tenor solos on
'Sunny Moon for Two' by Sonny Rollins
'After Supper' by Neal Hefti
'Shiny Stockings' by Frank Foster, of which Phil Brown once said to Selina "like the ones you're wearing". It was shiny tights last night because the door to the garden is continually opened and closed, letting the warm air out.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, July 02, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Mike Byrne & Audrey Stokes
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up was back to near-normal comprising Alan Brock (trumpet), Mike Byrne (trombone), Roger Limb (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'Blue Turning Grey' and 'I'm Confessing'.
Guests were:
Audrey Stokes (vocals, pictured), who sang 'Who's Sorry Now' and 'Georgia on my Mind';
John Shepehrd (pocket trumpet) playing 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' and 'Black and Blue';
Peter Clancy (trombone) playing 'China Boy' and a fine version of 'Tin Roof Blues';
Fred Shaw (cornet and vocal) playing 'Someday You'll Be Sorry' and playing/singing 'I Want a Little Girl'.
This was the first night of the smoking ban, driving many desparate people outside for a smoke.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Gatsby Jazz Band at the Wych Elm
On Saturday evening we went to
The Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston Upon Thames, for the monthly performance by the Gatsby Jazz Band. Mike Adamson was back as full-time leader and banjo player with the standard musicians forming the rest of the band. Our favourite numbers were 'Breeze', sung by trombonist Bob Dwyer, and one of the band's regulars;'King of the Swingers', with trumpeter Alan Jenkins singing in fine Louis Prima voice.
The pub was quiet at first and even at peak there was room for dancing; not just us this time. Mike commented that he likes to see the bottoms wobbling.
Selina was called 'leggy girl' by another woman (Joyce); the picture shows why !
Labels: Jazz
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