Isomatic UK Weblog

After a long day at Bournemouth Court, where I was appearing as a witness, we drove directly to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to eat and see the Magna jazz band. Most of the regular musicians were absent, the line-up being Denny Ilett (cornet, pictured), Dave Hewett (trombone, pictured), John Elmer (clarinet, alto sax, vocal, pictured), Paul Sealey (guitar, pictured), Richard Lyons (string bass) and Rex Bennett (drums). They played amazingly well together, considering that they hardly know each other. Favourite numbers were:
'Strutting With Some Barbecue' in Bossa Nova Style, something of which Brian White would not approve;
'Back O'Town Blues', played mainly as an improvisation;
'Singin' the Blues', written by Sam Lewis, Joe Young, Con Conrad and J. Russel Robinson and recorded by Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke in 1927.;
John's feature, duetting with Paul, 'Avalon';
Paul's feature 'Stomping At The Savoy', Words & Music by Benny Goodman, Edgar Samson, Andy Razaf & Chick Webb.
As we were dressed for court, Frances was impressed that I was wearing a suit and tie. Peter Winn was absent so he did not have the disappointment of seeing Selina in trousers.

Labels: Jazz