Happy New Year - 2009

A very happy, healthy and Jazzy new year to all readers. We kick off with a gig on the 11th January at The Raven Inn, Welshpool, Powys. We have a special guest on trumpet too!

Pete Ainge is a fine traditional trumpet player who normally plays for the Heart of England Jazzband. This Sunday he is playing with us. The line up is:

Trumpet - Pete Aine
Trombone - Dave Margaronni
Clarinet/Sax: Jeff Matthews
Double bass - Alan Wilcox
Banjo: Matt Sanders
Piano: Ken Binns
Drums: Len Davies

Plus we will have guests too.

As always, admission is just £4 and we run a fun raffle with quality prizes. There will also be a special 'Jazz Lunch' available for £5.

All are invited. Bring friends and have some fun. Leave the gloom of winter and 'direct your feet to the sunny side of the street'.

THE RAVEN INN, WELSHPOOL, POWYS

We have a new venue! We now play each second Sunday of the month at the Raven Inn. This is a warm and cosy venue where all are welcome. There is a bar in the room where we play and our Chef Steve has put together a specially priced 'Jazz Lunch' of excellent quality.

We have regular guest players and invited 'sitters in'. Our music covers well known tunes from the early 1900 New Orleans tradition through popular jazz songs of the roaring 20's, swing era, right up to our own british 'Trad' era. We do not attempt to copy any former band styles but create our own from our own experienced line-up. We lean towards the 'Chicago' style popularised by Eddie Condon and our own Alex Welsh. Because our line up sometimes changes, so does our style, which makes it interesting.

Come along and enjoy foot-tapping jazz in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Very kindly the Severn Side Jazzmen allow me to sit in on their gigs. Here you see me with reedsman Bill Basey (he also runs an excellent big band), and Dave Boxall on bass.

Here's a photo of "much in demand" trumpet player Stan Williams. Stan grew up in Llandudno Junction, North Wales. His first trumpet, brought home one evening by his dad,cost £3. But that was a start and teo years later he won a school music contest and awarded marks of 99%. His interest in jazz was sparked by a visit to the fish and chip shop. He heard a recording of 'West End Blues' playing in the background. That was the start of a very full life playing jazz trumpet and flugelhorn.

I felt it was about time we introduced some more photos of the musicians in the band. This time its the turn of Dave Margaronni, trombonist. These photos show that Dave not only plays superb trombone but has a background in playing the double bass. Here you can see Dave on one of his several visits to New Orleans. You will also see him playing with Kenny Ball, the wonderful British Jazz trumpet player.

Cafe Jazz Cardiff

I was delighted to be invited to play at Cafe Jazz, Cardiffs premier Jazz venue at the beginning of January. The band, a new one, is called 'The Workhouse Band' and was the brain child of Bob Goddard and Martin Butterworth. Andrew Naylor fronts the band on trumpet with the unusual line - up of two clarinets, bass, guitar and banjo. No Drums and no trombone at this time.

The evening was a success and there is already an invitation to return to Cafe Jazz in the near future. I will post information as dates are confirmed.